Choosing doors for the loggia - traditional, sliding and French

The quality characteristics of the fittings depend on where the door is located, at the entrance, between rooms or leading to the balcony.

Input

The peculiarity of such doors is due to their purpose, which is to protect housing. The plastic entrance doors are massive. They are made from rigid PVC with reinforced reinforcement. The fittings must be resistant to intensive use, because the front door often opens and closes. In addition, door accessories act as an obstacle to illegal entry into the premises.

Interior

Unlike entrance doors, interior doors are equipped with glass inserts. The weight of the structure directly depends on the size of the glass unit. The door between rooms can be hinged or sliding. Characterized by the predominant absence of the need for locks and the permissibility of a loose fit. The number of sashes may vary. All this must be taken into account when choosing the devices with which such doors will be equipped.

Balcony

It is necessary to ensure a tight fit of the sash to protect the home from the influence of atmospheric phenomena. Handle indoors. The number of sashes varies. The glass part can be combined with the panel or completely occupy the surface of the door.

Plastic doors are also classified depending on the type of fittings.

1. Regular.
   They have a standard handle and are mounted on adjustable canopies.
2. Swivel and tilt.
   The sash of such a door can tilt and open, like a window.

Do plastic structures hold securely? How easy are they to open? Is the premises well protected from unauthorized entry? The answers to these and many other questions depend on the quality of the fittings.

Let's look at its main types:

• loops;
• locks;
• pens;
• closers.

Loops

These are the devices on which the structure rests. On them, the doors are attached to the frame. Insufficient attention to the choice of hinges can lead to difficulty or even impossibility of using the door due to sagging.

The loop consists of several elements.

• Frame. It consists of two parts. The frame contains a pin, and the casement has a tab.
• Connecting sleeve.
• Fasteners

The choice of mechanism depends on such factors.

• Sash width. If they are narrow, a loop up to 90 mm wide will do, and if they are wide, up to 110 mm.
• Weight of the structure.
• Mounting method.
• Sash color.
• Material. The body is made of aluminum or zinc alloy, the pins are made of stainless steel or a ferrous alloy, and the sleeve is made of Teflon or plastic.

Types of loops:

• invoices,
• applied,
• screw-in

Applied ones provide regulation thanks to gaskets. Screw-in and overhead ones make it possible to make adjustments in different planes without removing the sashes.

Locks

Mechanical locks can have a cylindrical or lever lock. In the first case, the mechanism has a larval or pin system. Experts prefer lever locks, reproaching cylindrical ones for being less reliable due to the insufficiently high stability of the system. Characteristic for lever locks is a plate shape and the presence of teeth.

In addition to the usual mechanical ones, other types of locks are also used. In particular, electronic ones. The keys to them are cards, key fobs or chips. Another option is an electromagnetic lock, consisting of metal plates and a magnet itself. Such a device closes and opens using an electrical signal. The peculiarity of such a castle is that the elements are static, which makes it almost eternal.

Depending on where the locks will be installed, the required degree of their reliability differs. If we are talking about a balcony or transitions between rooms indoors, a single-point lock is sufficient. Stronger protection is needed at the entrance. For example, a rack lock. It fixes the door not only in the center, but at different points.

Pens

Door handles, depending on the method of performing the function of moving the doors, are divided into stationary, push and rotary. In the first case, there is no connection between the lock and the handle. The method of operation of push handles is the reaction of the lock latch to pressure. Rotary ones are the most common. The handle turns, driving the lock mechanism. Based on the installation method, a distinction is made between overhead and mortise handles.

For the manufacture of this type of fittings, plastic or metal is usually used. In rooms with high traffic volumes, it is better to use metal handles. They are stronger and more durable.

Closers

This device ensures smooth and silent movement of the shutters. The door and the wall next to it are less susceptible to damage due to the reduced amplitude when opening. The hinges are also safer. The doors do not slam, and you can rest assured that your fingers are safe.

The closer looks like a spring in a housing filled with oil, with valves responsible for the speed of movement.

Types of closers:

• The top ones are the most common.
• Lower ones.
• Hidden - the mechanism is located in the frame, door leaf or floor.

Factors determining the choice of closers:

• Weight of the door structure. The larger it is, the more powerful the door closer will be needed.
• Sash width. If it is more than 160 cm, closers are not installed.

Types of casement windows on the balcony

• Not opening (deaf). This is the simplest possible design, and therefore the cheapest. Although such sashes have little functionality and are difficult to clean, the low cost often outweighs the choice. It is clear that tightly glazing a balcony is nonsense, so blind windows, as a rule, are not installed in a row, combining them with rotary types of structures.
• Swing or swivel. This is a fairly simple option when the balcony window sash opens inward. According to reviews, these windows are more convenient to care for, wash or dust. There must be enough free space for free rotation.
• Transoms (with a folding mechanism). They open in a horizontal plane and act as a window, forming a gap of 100–150 mm when opened. It is no easier to clean transoms than solid sashes. They can be folded down or raised up. They can be installed in panoramic glazing systems. A window sash of a small area is tilted up and fixed to stops on both sides. on both sides.
• Swivel and tilt. They combine two mechanisms: a rotary one, which ensures full opening of the window, and a folding one, for use in ventilation mode.

• Sliding. Although the cost of this installation option is quite high, the demand for them is very high. They save space, which is why sliding systems are especially relevant for balconies with a small area. True, caring for sliding structures is not easy.

Number of sashes

• if they are too narrow, then the insolation of the balcony, as well as the adjacent room, is significantly reduced. In addition, the installation of a multi-leaf plastic structure may excessively increase the load on the balcony slab, which will cause its collapse;
• If in a swing system the window sash is too wide, then when open it will “eat up” quite a lot of space. They will not be particularly good in sliding structures, since the opening created when they open will be small.

On balconies in standard apartments, the following designs are usually used:

• single-leaf – as a rule, these are opening systems;
• double-leaf - one of the doors in the design is solid, and the second is folding.
• tri-leaf - usually for convenience, two opening windows are installed on the sides and one blind window in the middle. When the price factor plays a significant role in the choice, you can assemble a structure of two blind doors with one opening between them.

The process of choosing window systems and installation is multifaceted, so first you need to carefully study the features of each option and determine the optimal one. You should consider which type of sashes is most suitable for your balcony, choose the material, and more.

Free-fitting latch for plastic doors

Plastic balcony blocks, as a rule, do not have classic locks, and the sash is locked thanks to the presence of multi-locking strip fittings located along the perimeter of the leaf. In such designs, the latch is an independent element and is in no way connected with the operation of the lock and the position of the handle.

There are two types of balcony latches for plastic doors: mechanical and magnetic. Both options are structurally very simple, and their installation does not require serious professional skills.

Mechanical version

The standard configuration of a PVC balcony door usually includes the simplest mechanical latch, the components of which are installed on the leaf and frame. A fixed cylinder is attached to the sash profile, and a metal body with a special groove is attached to the frame profile. There is a spring-loaded element (usually a plate) in the groove, thanks to which the cylinder is held in the closed state and prevents spontaneous opening of the balcony.

The durability of such a retainer is determined by the quality of the spring. In cheap fittings, the spring-loaded element may burst after 1-2 years of active use, causing the roller to no longer be fixed in the groove. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a latch from at least the middle price category.

Standard kit for installing a latch on a balcony

Magnetic version

A more interesting solution is to install a magnetic latch on the balcony door. In this case, a housing with a magnet is mounted on the frame, and a metal plate is attached to the sash profile. The advantage of such a system is its reliability, since there is essentially nothing to break here.

When the magnetic latch is triggered, a characteristic click is heard, which indicates that the metal plate is attracted to the magnet. For silent closing, a small gap is left between the working and the mating part, but in this case the strength of the magnet must be sufficient to prevent the door from opening, for example, from a draft.

Magnetic latch for PVC door

Installation of sliding and swing systems on the balcony

In swing blocks, the frames can be wooden, aluminum and plastic. For glazing, ordinary glass is used, as well as sealed double-glazed windows.

The principle of operation of swing doors can be rotary or tilt-and-turn. Today, windows are most often equipped with a tilt-and-turn opening mechanism. The fact is that in order to implement the rotating function, the space near the opening doors must be empty. That is, this is not the best solution for small balconies, for which saving space is a significant factor.

As for the option with a tilt-and-turn mechanism, the doors in such a system not only open, but also recline, creating a gap. At the same time, it reclines not only in the upper part of the window unit, but also in the lower part.

The folded frame can have two positions. Whether the ventilated gap will be maximum or minimum depends on the selected position. Therefore, in the room of a glazed balcony, you can achieve the most favorable air movement regime.

Sliding systems usually have an aluminum frame, much less often - wood and plastic. The window is glazed with single glass of large thickness. Unlike swing options, it is possible to install mosquito nets here.

In various designs, sliding windows can be moved parallel or vertically or in a tilt-and-turn manner. The most common option is parallel movement based on the principle of movement of a compartment door.

A system of three structures is installed on the balcony: two solid structures at the ends and a sliding system on wheels, which is placed between them. To move the sashes along the entire length of the sliding structure, special runners are mounted at the top and bottom.

Adjusting fittings - step-by-step instructions

If problems arise during operation of the door, it is necessary to adjust the fittings. This process can be divided into several stages.

Determining the nature of the problem

Main possible problems:

• skew,
• draft,
• difficulty opening or closing,
• turning the handle.

It is necessary to carefully examine all parts of the structure to determine which of the fittings requires adjustment.

Setting up Tilt&Turn Hardware

This type of door accessories is customizable in the same way as window accessories.

In case the sash sag and touches the bottom of the frame, the procedure is as follows:

1. We turn the sash and remove the lining, which has a decorative function, from the bottom hinge.
2. There is a screw at the top of the canopy that needs to be tightened. A hex wrench is useful for this.
3. The screw at the bottom of the hinge must be turned several times to move the lower part of the structure.

If the sash catches on the top of the frame, you need to open it and, by rotating the adjusting screw with a hexagon, adjust the correct position.

To increase the pressure, you need to do the following:

• Remove the cap.
• At the bottom there is a screw that is responsible for the clamp. To adjust, you need an asterisk or hex key.
• The upper clamp is changed by moving the eccentric screw, which is located on the bars that hold the sash in the folding position.

Setting up conventional fittings

The adjustment process in this case is simpler, since the design is not as complex as a tilt-and-turn one.

If the sash clings to the frame from above or below:

1. There are covers on the top of the canopies that need to be removed.
2. The screw on the back side of the structure must be unscrewed with a hexagon.
3. The position of the sashes is adjusted by turning a long horizontal screw. You can lower the sash if you loosen the top screws.

The pressure can be adjusted using the profile striker. You need to insert a suitable hexagon into the hole located on it and turn it half a turn.

Pros and cons of window systems

Let's start with swing options:

• Many variations in the choice of frame materials and fittings.
• Glazing is possible not only with ordinary window glass, but also with multilayer double-glazed windows.
• Used for cold and warm glazing methods.
• Hinged windows are combined with blind ones.
• It is possible to install horizontal blinds.
• Quite a wide range of prices, from the most economical systems to quite expensive ones.

Designs of this type also have disadvantages:

• To freely open the sash inside the balcony you need a lot of space;
• warm glazing option, exclusive fittings can be quite expensive;
• in places where the window opens, the window sill, if there is one, must be free.

As you can see, the advantages of swing window systems are much greater than the disadvantages.

Sliding windows have undeniable advantages. They

• save space;
• are light in weight;
• do not slam shut when strong wind blows;
• provide more opportunities for balcony ventilation;
• very wear-resistant;
• in the standard version they have an acceptable cost;
• look more modern;
• safe: special glasses can withstand heavy loads, they are resistant to mechanical stress, and during normal use they practically do not break, even if this happens and no sharp edges are formed.

Please note: Handle for a balcony door: types, installation, possible malfunctions and methods for eliminating them

Let us also note some disadvantages of sliding systems:

• This is basically a cold glazing method;
• during operation, the runners can become deformed over time, which will immediately affect the quality of operation of the sashes, be it their movement or abutment;
• Dirt and moisture may collect on the lower guide rail.

The use of sliding systems is practical, convenient and economical, and they also have a modern look.

What should you consider when choosing a functional component of a sash?

Dynamic sashes of a plastic window
, as well as the functions they perform, which can be opening, tilting, micro-ventilation, etc. are specified in the parameters of the technical specifications at the stage of measuring the future design, taking into account the vision and wishes of the customer.

It is necessary to understand that the static part of the window, which does not perform any moving function, is an order of magnitude cheaper than the opening part.

Typically, each functional sash increases the cost of the product by one and a half thousand rubles or more, as it imposes additional assembly work, profiles and fittings.

In order to correctly select those parts of the window that will open or tilt, it is necessary to take into account and pay attention to ease of use, the possibility of the most unobstructed, so to speak, access when washing external glass, the location of interior furniture, the desired volume and direction of flows draft wind, as well as the need to carry large objects through the window opening.

The so-called pin connection, which allows you to organize a window design in which there is no impost (vertical partition) between the two functional sashes, which will allow you to carry large objects in one direction or another.

This will be especially true for commercial premises and those located on the ground floors.

But basically, unfortunately, the most significant role is played by the issue of price, which affects the final decision and reduces to a minimum the number of moving elements of a metal-plastic structure, which in the future may make you think about the feasibility of every minute savings on a window construction system installed for many decades.

This is useful to know

• Better connection of the sashes ensures a high level of tightness of the window structure.
• By glazing the balcony with plastic profiles and multilayer double-glazed windows, you can get the warmest room possible. For these cases, swing systems with double-glazed windows are more suitable, which will reliably protect against the cold and significantly reduce the level of noise penetration.
• For balcony rooms that are not used during the cold season, sliding systems are more suitable. This type of block is really simple and easy to use. They can be used effectively not only in summer, but also in autumn and spring. However, these systems can serve quite well in winter. In some versions they are quite airtight and will be able to efficiently perform their main enclosing function.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hCGwUh4AErE

Sliding doors to the balcony: selection and installation

A sliding door will be an original and interesting solution for a loggia or balcony. Aluminum and plastic sliding balcony doors are intended, first of all, for protection from negative natural manifestations, dirt, dust and street debris. But they also perform a sound-proofing and heat-preserving function. In addition to standard balcony blocks, which consist of a window and an adjacent door, sliding doors to the balcony have become popular. They are distinctive in terms of design and the materials from which they are made. The principle of opening them is also different.

Sliding plastic doors to the balcony

Today, another balcony design, called “French,” is quite widely used. They contain a minimum of profile lintels, as well as double-glazed windows.

Consumer reviews indicate that sliding door structures are an excellent option, both in terms of design and in terms of service life. They can be repaired, so if individual parts fail, you do not have to replace the entire system. It is enough to call a specialist and replace individual parts. And at a low cost.

Sliding doors can be easily repaired without replacing the entire system

Very often, a balcony or loggia becomes a place for storing vegetables and fruits for the winter, a gym and even a winter garden.

Therefore, the installed door structures must provide not only a certain air temperature, protecting the room, but also look appropriate. Sliding door systems to a balcony or loggia with panoramic glazing look beautiful. But this type of decoration and glazing is quite expensive.

Modern sliding plastic systems for a balcony or loggia are an ideal option for those who value aesthetics, comfort and coziness. Door structures that are installed in the apartment are made according to individual projects and are used regardless of the architectural style. They cost a little more than standard door blocks, but at the same time they have more advantages.

The glass area in a sliding door is slightly larger than in a conventional tilt-and-turn design, so it allows 20% more light and air into the room.

The main advantage of this type of door is saving precious free space

Has such advantages over its “brothers”:

• Protects against hacking;
• The level of heat and noise insulation is excellent;
• The sliding balcony door made of plastic is strong and durable;
• It has good performance and sealing properties;
• Easy to use.

The sliding metal-plastic door to the balcony looks much more impressive and emphasizes the overall design and interior of the room. In addition, with its help you can save space, decorate the interior and allow the sun's rays to penetrate even the most remote corners of the room. One of the main advantages is saving useful space. This fact is especially relevant for small balconies and narrow spaces.

Sliding structures are usually very durable

Installation is best done with the help of specialists. Because even one little thing or an incorrectly installed system can cause a decrease in service life.

Having installed sliding plastic structures, a person will not worry about replacing them in the next 60-70 years. At least that's what many manufacturers promise.

Sliding glass sliding doors to the loggia

Sliding glass door structures for loggias and balconies are convenient and functional. They contain large-sized sashes. There are no hinges, and the weight of the sashes is distributed on the lower guide profile. The aluminum structure is used as warm glazing due to the presence of an internal thermal insert.

The advantages of such door designs for the balcony include::

1. When opening and closing the doors do not take up extra space;
2. Lightweight and easy to use - even a child can easily open the doors and return them to their original position;
3. They are distinguished by durable performance characteristics;
4. Normally tolerate temperature changes;
5. If a mechanism part fails, it can always be replaced;
6. They retain heat very well on the balcony and in the room;
7. Limitless design possibilities;
8. They are environmentally friendly, since no aggressive chemicals are used in the manufacture of balcony doors.

Sliding doors are perfect for a loggia; they will decorate the interior and retain heat. Sliding glass sliding doors for a loggia are not only a durable design.
It creates a special atmosphere in the room and on the balcony, because sliding doors look expensive and elegant. Along with the positive aspects, there are also disadvantages. The cost of sliding doors to a balcony or loggia is much more expensive than other types of structures.

They are made only individually after appropriate measurements. This is explained by the non-standard design.

The opening mechanism is complex and expensive. In addition, unnecessary noise is created during opening.

Please note: Choosing a glass door to the balcony

Sliding doors for balconies and loggias (video)

Portal doors to the balcony

Nowadays, almost every person has encountered portal views of doors to the balcony. This product appeared quite a long time ago, but gained particular popularity only at the end of the 20th century, because thanks to modern technologies, durable materials are used in production. This increases the performance characteristics of portal doors to the balcony, and the technical characteristics do not become worse during use.

The cost of portal structures for a balcony is quite affordable, so anyone can buy them. Moreover, such structures are suitable for almost any design.

For large openings, portal doors will be very useful

Positive aspects of portal doors:

• Easy to move and slide;
• Expansion of additional usable area;
• Have maximum light transmittance;
• Resistant to mechanical damage;
• Stable loads increase durability.

Portal sliding doors to the balcony can be installed in large openings. Manufacturers now offer a fairly large selection of portal doors. When purchasing, it is better to give preference to those models that are tested before they hit the store shelves. The most important thing is to follow the rules for using doors and carry out wet cleaning several times a month.

Portal doors (video)

Plastic doors: design advantages

Of course, the most common and well-known option for sliding doors to the balcony are plastic structures. In addition to the fact that they are affordable, the designs have good technical characteristics and a long service life. Such a door structure can last more than 70 years. Having installed such doors, a person will forget for a long time about drafts, street noise, and air blowing into the cracks in winter. And all this happens thanks to the tightness of the entire structure.

Plastic sliding doors will probably be the best solution in terms of price-quality ratio

Many people prefer German manufacturing plants that produce sliding metal-plastic and aluminum systems. Doors to the balcony can be of different shades, so you can choose the doors to suit any design project of the room.

They do not require special care; the only condition is correct installation. You should not do it yourself; it is better to use the help of specialists.

Sliding doors to the balcony: selection and installation (video)

As we see, sliding doors will be a wonderful solution for everyone who values ​​functionality and comfort.

Features and Benefits

The balcony door protects the room from dust, dirt, and foreign odors getting inside. It also protects from undesirable weather conditions: wind, cold, heat. Some of these functions are performed by the glazing of the balcony, if installed. Depending on the chosen material and closing method, the balcony sliding door copes with all these tasks.

In addition to practical characteristics, this solution has aesthetic significance. Most of the trends in renovation come to us from Europe. This is both the well-known “European-quality renovation” and Western styles in the interior (classical, Provence, Baroque). Sliding French doors leading to a balcony, loggia, or terrace were no exception.

Other names: panoramic, coupe, portal. They add elegance and lightness to the room and demonstrate that the balcony is not a place for storing unnecessary things, but a cozy corner in the apartment.

To install such profiles, the balcony opening is completely removed: door, window, window sill, wall above and below the window. The same work is done when combining a loggia with a kitchen or bedroom. This rather significant alteration requires special permission. A request is made through the MFC (Multifunctional centers for the provision of state and municipal services). In some cases, the structure of the building does not allow such redevelopment at all.

Often the decisive argument in favor of sliding doors for a loggia or balcony is that an open door will not steal the space of the room. It becomes larger not only visually - the window sill and most of the wall are removed.

The radiator under the balcony window is also dismantled. In its place, a small radiator is installed, which is attached to the floor, or the battery is completely abandoned, replacing it with warm floors.

Redevelopment, obtaining permits, and installing a heating system will require investment. To make it clear whether the remodeling is worth the effort, let’s get acquainted with the advantages of panoramic doors:

• more natural light will enter the room;
• the area of ​​the room will visually increase;
• space saving - when open, the door moves to the side rather than swinging inward;
• French sliding doors on the loggia look original and European;
• fit into any interior style thanks to various materials and profile colors;
• easy to use and safe;
• opening and closing of the doors occurs silently;
• high sound and heat insulation (depending on the selected glass unit and opening method);
• do not hide the view of the street if the balcony is glazed at full height;
• the ability to install a special mechanism that prevents slamming when a person is outside;
• there is no risk of pinching a finger, which is especially important in families with small children;
• Reliable locks protect against unwanted entry into the apartment.

Handle repair

If the handle turns with difficulty or creaks, you need to lubricate the lock mechanism. If it becomes loose, you need to remove the decorative trim and tighten the screws that secure the handle. A problem that persists after such actions may be caused by the destruction of the housing.

The handle needs to be inspected and if cracks are found it will have to be replaced. To do this, turn the handle to a horizontal position, unscrew the fastener and install a new one.

For balcony door

Poorly configured balcony fittings threaten to insufficiently protect the room from moisture and the effects of temperature changes.

Before you begin adjusting it, you need to determine the cause of the malfunction. To do this, check whether the seal is damaged. If the effects of compression are visible on it, it is on the side where they are located that the structure has shifted. If you need to exert significant force to turn the handle, otherwise the tongue does not fit into the groove, shrinkage is evident.

Necessary tool

Before you start adjusting the fittings, you need to prepare. You will need some tools:

• Screwdrivers – straight and Phillips.
• Star keys – set.
• Hex keys from 2.2 to 5 mm.
• Pliers.

Kinds

Depending on the presence of a heat-saving function, balcony sliding systems are of two types:

• “Cold” - protect from natural phenomena (rain, snow, strong wind, hail), muffle external noise. But they are not designed to retain heat in the room adjacent to the balcony. It makes sense to install cold door systems when high-quality heat-saving double-glazed windows are installed on the balcony or loggia. This type of sliding balcony doors is made of aluminum without additional inserts.

• “Warm” - includes the advantages of the first type, and also provides thermal protection. Warm balcony systems are installed even on an open balcony; they will retain the heat of the adjacent room. If you install multifunctional double-glazed windows, this will not only protect you from the effects of cold, but also from heat. Such windows will reflect the sun's rays and prevent the room from heating up. This is especially appropriate for windows on the sunny side.

Please note: Tinting a balcony or loggia with your own hands is easy and simple!

Below we consider the most popular models.

Oblique

A special feature of doors with such a mechanism is the ability to open completely, as well as tilt the sash for ventilation. The device is simple:

• To open, the handle is turned to the side, the door is pulled towards itself a little and then moved to the side. To close, perform the same steps in reverse order.
• To tilt the sash for ventilation mode, the handle turns upward in a similar way to the same window mechanism.

It is recommended to install such doors in narrow openings, and they are also suitable for installation on open loggias (unglazed) due to their reliable tightness when closed. Such modules are also called tilt-and-slide or tilt-and-slide. The recommended sash width is up to 1.3 m, and the height is no more than 2.3 m.

Lifting

If you need to replace a wide section of the wall (10 m or more), then it is recommended to select a sliding door model with a lift-and-slide type.

When you turn the handle from the bottom of the moving part, rollers come out, which lift the door, and it easily slides to the side. Movement occurs along metal guides. The width of the moving part can reach 2.5 m. The mechanism is reliable and stable, able to withstand heavy weight and dimensions.

Accordion doors

Another model of sliding door mechanism is the accordion. Suitable for wide openings (up to 6 m). The design consists of several doors connected to each other. The outermost one acts as a door. In the fully open version, the doors are folded according to the principle of the movement of an accordion. This allows you to get an open opening across the entire width.

Sliding glass doors to the balcony in the form of an accordion eat up a lot of interior space when assembled. Suitable for country houses as an exit to a terrace or spacious balcony. The disadvantage of this design is that each section is framed by a profile. When closed, they will block the penetration of sunlight and give a heavy appearance. More often they are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), less often of aluminum or wood.

Latch as a door lock element

There are several options for the design of the locking latch, which is built directly into the lock block:

roller; fall; magnetic; electromechanical.

Roller lock

A latch in the form of a spring-loaded roller is the simplest mechanism for fixing the sash. Such a balcony door lock can be installed either directly in the lock body or mounted separately, since it has no mechanical connection with the door handle.

The mechanism consists of two parts: main and response. The main part, on which the roller is located, is installed on the sash, and the return part is installed on the frame. The principle of operation of the system is very simple: when the door is closed, the roller falls into the recess of the counterpart and is held in this position under the action of a spring. To open the balcony, just slightly pull the handle toward you (or push it away from you) so that the roller disengages.

Hale clamp

The operating principle of a halyard latch for a balcony door is almost identical to a roller latch when it comes to the process of closing the sash. In this case, the spring-loaded crossbar “drops” into the recess of the mating part in the same way, fixing the canvas in the frame. However, because the bolt is beveled, it cannot disengage when moving in the opposite direction, as a roller can.

Materials

Frame material options in descending order of popularity:

• plastic;
• aluminum;
• wood (pine, oak, larch).

Plastic sliding doors are most often installed on balconies. Wood profiles are more expensive and require careful maintenance. But they compensate for this with a respectable appearance and environmental friendliness. Aluminum is not suitable for all designs, but it is also environmentally friendly and affordable.

Plastic

Plastic windows have long won the sympathy of domestic apartment and house owners. For framing balcony openings, plastic sliding doors are no less popular.

Advantages:

• light weight;
• relatively low price;
• long service life;
• easy care;
• are not deformed;
• good heat and sound insulation.

PVC profiles can be given any color, and thanks to lamination they can be disguised as the desired texture, for example, wood.

Aluminum

Aluminum doors are also inexpensive. This natural material is environmentally friendly and fireproof. Metal does not rust over time and is not susceptible to precipitation in the form of snow or rain. Suitable not only for high-tech interiors; aluminum frames can be easily painted in the desired color.

Metal frames are suitable for cold balcony systems, since their thermal insulation value is not very high. You can increase it with additional inserts. This insulated profile is called a thermal bridge.

Glass

Sliding door structures made of fiberglass are becoming increasingly popular. Suitable for wide openings, the sashes can be of any size. This is possible thanks to the properties:

• light weight;
• strength;
• holds heat well;
• ecologically pure.

Fiberglass composite is 70% fiberglass and 30% cured resins. The material is inexpensive due to low production costs. It is used to make windows, as well as exterior doors and even in the construction of passenger aircraft. You don’t have to worry about the strength of sliding glass composite panels.

Features of installing a sliding door

It is better to entrust the installation of such a serious structure to specialists. To get an idea of ​​the stages of work, here is a brief description of the preparation and installation process:

1. The balcony block (door and window) is being dismantled.
2. The wall that was located under the window is demolished and the threshold is removed.
3. The floor in the room and on the balcony is brought to the same level.
4. Measurements are taken.
5. The upper and lower guides are fixed, and stoppers are attached to the edges.
6. The roller mechanism is threaded into the guides.
7. The door slides under the runners and is secured with bolts.

Let us remind you that before starting any work you must obtain permission for redevelopment.

Additional fittings for balcony doors

The presence of these fittings is not mandatory. The decision about their need to increase the functionality of the door structure is made by the owners of the house or apartment.

Opening limiters

These popular accessories can be divided into three groups:

• The “comb” limiter helps to choose the optimal gap between the open door and the frame for comfortable ventilation of the room in any season and weather. With the help of a “comb” the door is fixed in the desired position.

  
  You can buy a comb at a hardware store

• A cable lock-limiter can also fix the sash in a certain position.

• A door handle with a key blocks the opening of the door in case of unauthorized entry and helps to protect children.