How to replace or replace a balcony door with a plastic one

The type of design of the balcony block determines whether it is possible to replace a separate part of it or not. Replacing a balcony door is impossible in the case of a single window-balcony structure, in contrast to which a connected structure of two parts - a doorway and a window - allows you to replace any of the components independently of the other.

Stage I. Dismantling

Before installing a new product, you will need to remove the old balcony door with or without a window, which is seriously damaged or has expired. The door leaf is removed from its hinges first; if the entire balcony block is replaced, the window sashes are also removed.

In order to remove the plastic door, you will need the following tools:

• Phillips screwdriver or drill;
• Set of hex keys;
• Pliers;
• A prybar or block of wood that will be used as a lever to lift the door leaf.

The first to be removed are the plastic covers from the hinges, which protect against moisture. The lower loop from below is lightly pressed with a finger, the axis protruding in its upper part is carefully pulled out using pliers to prevent damage. Holding the door leaf to avoid distortion, repeat the process of loosening the middle hinge. Next, the canvas is lifted towards itself using a lever so that the lower loop opens. After which the door is freed from the middle and top hinges. The plastic door frame is dismantled.

If an old wooden door is being dismantled, then the glass (if any) is first removed, and then the door is removed from its hinges. The wooden box is broken out with a pry bar or cut out with a grinder.

How to prepare a balcony block for installation

Mounting plates are attached to the side and top surfaces of the balcony structure. This is done using screws. 15 cm are retreated from the corners and the plates are mounted so that they are turned towards the inside of the block. At a distance of 50-70 cm from each other, intermediate plates are installed between the outer plates.

To seal the structure around the perimeter of the block, PSUL tape is glued along the outer edge. This material protects the door from UV rays and moisture. At the same stage, it would be correct to think about attaching the mosquito net by installing the brackets in advance. The mesh must cover the opening completely, so the brackets can be secured with screws only after measurements have been taken.

Stage II. Surface preparation

Next, they begin to clean the slopes from plastic (sandwich) panels or plaster; in the second case, the use of a hammer drill is allowed. Traces of polyurethane foam, insulation and sealing contour are cleaned off with a metal sponge, which is used for washing dishes, or with a brush with stiff bristles. Small debris and dust are carefully swept out and washed with water and detergent.

Please note that independent replacement and dismantling of the plastic door to the balcony is carried out only after the warranty period from the manufacturer has expired. If there is a warranty, it is better to first contact the manufacturer's office, who will send a damage assessment specialist to you. In case of warranty, the door will be replaced in a short time and completely free of charge.

Choosing a plastic door

PVC structures are very popular. They are warm enough and protect from street noise, precipitation, wind and dust. One of the main advantages of a plastic profile is practicality - it is easy to clean, does not need to be painted, etc. Maintaining a neat appearance requires a minimum of time.

When choosing a plastic door, you need to consider whether the balcony is glazed. If yes, then you can buy a door with a smaller profile for the balcony block. If there is no glazing, choose wider frames - they will have to withstand winds and precipitation. And the wider the profile, the better the structures will be able to cope with this task.

Stage III. Measuring the opening

After the cleaned opening has dried, you can begin taking measurements. The standard dimensions of plastic balcony doors are height 2.0 m, width 0.5 - 1.0 m, and thickness 3.5 - 4.0 cm.

The appropriate size of door width depends on the width of the opening into which the door frame is also installed and a layer of foam is foamed. The width of the door frame is 3.5 cm, the gap for the foam should be 1.5 - 3.0 cm. Accordingly, if the opening has a width of 1.0 m, the width of the door frame and the gap for the foam are subtracted from this value in double size. For convenience, we convert the width of the opening from meters to centimeters and get: 100 – 2x3.5 – 2x1.5 = 90 cm. For a meter-long opening, a door leaf 90 cm wide is ordered.

Please note that if the doorway width is more than 1 m, it is recommended to either reduce this parameter or order a double-leaf door with a swing or sliding opening type. Sliding doors are gaining more and more popularity because they open easily and do not require free space around them along the path of movement, which is important for small or crowded rooms.

An error in measurements can lead to the fact that the new door structure will not fit into the opening, which will subsequently have to be expanded. If there is a free distance between the door and window units, it is possible to order a door of standard parameters. If there is no such gap, then you should accurately measure the opening.

The width of the opening is measured in three places, for example, in the upper, middle and lower parts, the smaller of the indicators is taken as the main one. If you do not want to dismantle the old door before delivery of the new one, you can remove the trim and take measurements along the edge of the mounting layer.

The height of a plastic door is calculated from the difference in the height of the opening, the single parameters of the gap for foam and frame, as well as the width of the metal threshold of 2 cm. Accordingly, if the height of the opening is 2.05 m, we get: 205 – 1.5 – 3.5 – 2 ,0 = 198 cm, that is, the height of the door leaf will be 1.98 m.

Another important nuance for measurements is the thickness of the opening wall, called slopes, which, after installing the balcony door, is plastered or covered with plastic/sandwich panels, if it is wider than the door frame. Plastic panels have different widths from 25 to 60 cm, so for ease of work, purchase the size that corresponds to the width of the opening wall. The wall thickness is measured in three places; the larger figure will be considered the main one. The width of the door frame (usually 2 cm) is subtracted from this indicator and 1 cm is added as a reserve. The resulting number will be a guideline for selecting panels.

If there are any doubts about the accuracy of measurements, it is recommended to seek help from a manufacturer of metal-plastic structures, which has specialists who can take measurements at home.

Overview of varieties

Currently, modern manufacturers of balcony doors offer various product options that can have either a standard size or unique width and height. The design can be arranged in different ways, for example, have a standard block or a unique lower part. Since the types of doors are presented in a wide range, every apartment owner will be able to choose the appropriate option for themselves. Today, French devices are in great demand, as are panoramic, double, stained glass, louvered and other models. Often a frame structure is installed on the loggia.

By type of design

Today, doors to the balcony can have the following designs.

• Freestanding. Such a device has no connection with the window unit. These double-leaf models have found their application in small spaces. Free-standing doors can be either entirely transparent or half glazed.

• Combined. They look like a solid block, the structure of which contains a window and a door. This is a common variety that can be suitable for any type of room. Such a block can be double-leaf, as it opens in two planes at once. This device may have one or a pair of double-glazed windows.

By opening mechanism

According to the opening option, door structures are divided into the following types.

• Swing. These are traditional doors that can open in one or two directions using rotating mechanisms.

• Swivel and tilt. Constructions of this type can be used not only for access to the loggia, but also for ventilation purposes.

• Sliding. Doors in the form of compartments have the appearance of a canvas with special guides. Thanks to the latter, they have the opportunity to move apart along the wall. Sliding door design can save space. With its help it is quite difficult to close the entire doorway.

• Bivalve. Split doors are suitable for a private house or cottage that has a large balcony. A double door has 2 components: working and fixed. Bobbin models have a reliable locking mechanism, so this design is quite difficult to break into.

• In the form of an accordion. This modern type of door structure contains panels that can fold when opened. The “accordion” has a spectacular appearance when the loggia is fully glazed. Such doors are often installed in country houses, as they allow little light to pass through.

By filling type

By filling balcony doors we mean the presence of elements that are located in the internal contour of the frame. The structure can be made entirely of glass, with an impost, as well as other types.

Depending on the type of filling, loggia doors can have several varieties.

• Sandwich panel. This three-layer element has a pair of plastic layers, as well as insulation inside. Often such models are made with double-glazed windows.

• Glazed. In this case, double-glazed windows or entirely tempered glass elements are installed. To increase thermal insulation, 1-4 sheets are installed with a space called “chamber”.

• Light. The bottom of this door is made of opaque panels, and the top is made of glass.

• Glass with impost. An impost is a crossbar that acts as a frame and strengthens the overall structure. Users often notice that when using glass doors with a mullion, condensation may appear at the bottom of the structure.

Stage IV. Installation of a new structure

In a cleaned and dry opening, a plastic door frame is fixed using spacers or dowels so that there is a small gap from the main wall. When installing a sliding door, guide profiles are fixed to the support.

The gaps are filled with polymer foam around the entire perimeter of the door; in case of large gaps, use additional mineral wool, polystyrene foam or other insulation.

Markings are made on the frame and door leaf for attaching the hinges, after installing which you can begin hanging the door leaf on the frame. To do this, the canvas is placed opposite the frame at the level of the hinges. The bottom loop is aligned first, as the hanging process begins from there. The recess in the part of the hinge installed on the door leaf is threaded onto the piston of the second half of the hinge installed on the frame. At the same time, the position of the sash in relation to the remaining hinges is adjusted.

If the canvas is covered smoothly and effortlessly without the help of a handle, you can begin hanging it on the middle and top loops. The connection of the loop parts has occurred correctly if a click is heard from the piston after it has reached its working position. The hinge fasteners are tightened using a hex wrench of a suitable size. After that, the operation of the door leaf is checked by alternately opening and closing. The installation is completed by installing and adjusting the fittings and protective strips on the hinges.

Please note that replacing a balcony door without replacing a window unit is carried out by two people for convenience and to minimize the likelihood of sash distortions

After hanging, you should check how the door works, whether there are distortions or gaps, while this can still be eliminated. If the door is level and opens and closes easily, proceed to installing and adjusting the fittings. These are handles and locking mechanisms. After installation, the operation of the locks is checked several times in the open position of the door, which makes it possible to correct inaccuracies, and then with the door closed.

In the case of replacing a balcony block, which is a solid structure with windows, installation is carried out in the same sequence as for a free-standing door. The only difference is that after installing the canvas, the installation of window sashes will follow, and then the installation and adjustment of window fittings.

Materials for production

The material for the production of balcony doors is different.

The most common are structures made from the following materials:

Plastic

Plastic is considered common in the production of such structures. Polyvinyl chloride has a minimum number of disadvantages with a maximum number of positive qualities.

Positive qualities include:

• Duration of use.
• Low weight.
• Resistant to water and temperature changes.
• Reliability.
• Insulation from noise and heat.
• Reasonable price.
• Easy to care for.

Design features

In most cases, the process of replacing a balcony door is carried out along with the block. There are two reasons for this: First, if there is a free-standing old-style balcony door made of wood, then when replaced, there will be a brand new plastic door next to the wooden frame, which will lose its attractiveness. Of course, you can order the door from a colored profile in the same color as the window frame. But it is more practical to replace the window and door at the same time, since you will not have to renovate the room and wash away construction waste.

Secondly, the integrity of the structure eliminates the possibility of replacing the canvas. Although in this case there are exceptions. For example, if the balcony block is made of plastic and the sash itself is damaged (crack in the sandwich panel, upper or lower part of the leaf), it is possible to order the leaf of the same size and hang it on the same hinges. If the hinges are damaged, it is possible to replace them with new ones, but it is worth considering the weight of the canvas.

An interesting solution would be to replace the old balcony block with 2-4 sliding doors, depending on the size of the opening.

Dismantling works

Before installing a modern balcony door, you need to remove the old structure from the opening. Many houses still have wooden balcony blocks; these are the ones that are most often replaced by our clients.

The procedure for dismantling the balcony door is as follows:

1. We remove the window sashes . The sash is lifted, freeing it from its hinges. With fixed hinges, you have to unscrew the fasteners.

If it is impossible to unscrew the screws, carefully knock out the frame with a pry bar.

1. Removing the door:

• open the profile;
• We place a pry bar under the bottom of the door;
• we lift the door system, releasing it from the hinges - here you will need the help of a partner;
• We take the old profile out of the room.

1. We remove window sills and slats . You only need to leave the box.
2. To remove the box from the opening, cut the jumper in the middle from the bottom or top, then remove it. Then the box is similarly cut in several other places, and the system is removed.
3. We clean the opening from litter, tow, rags , if necessary, treat it with a hammer drill, clean it of dirt with a vacuum cleaner, broom.

Resizing a Window in an Old House

Coordination of glazing replacement

• In typical homes, window replacement may be considered routine repairs (implying the restoration of the original state of the structure) or routine maintenance, which is aimed at reducing wear and tear on the building and does not affect its functionality. In the first case, the legislator allows the use of materials other than the original ones (you can replace wooden window systems with those made of PVC).

If glazing does not involve interference with the structure of the building, then replacing windows will not be considered redevelopment. Therefore, there is no need to obtain permission from construction authorities or notify them.

If the size or configuration of window openings changes, the work can be classified as redevelopment or reconstruction. At the same time, the owner is required to have a building permit, and when changing frames or colors of frames, the design of the entire house façade is also required. If the building is less than 50 years old, changes in geometric proportions and glazing colors in a typical house must be agreed upon with the author of the project.

• In historic buildings, the legalization of window replacement is subject to more stringent rules - the owner of the property must obtain a building permit and approval for the use of window materials. It is necessary to preserve the style of the building - the original decoration, color, placement, size and shape of openings. It is prohibited to glass balconies in historical buildings. Here, experts increasingly recognize the change of glazing as a redevelopment, which affects the appearance of the facade, even if the dimensions of the window openings do not change. Therefore, before starting repair work at such facilities, you need to find out what formalities need to be completed so as not to break the law.

Redevelopment of window openings

It happens that owners of apartments where there are rooms without windows install a window between the hallway and the room, which increases light transmission and allows them to do without demolishing the wall. A part of the wall is cut out for the window opening. If an internal window is integrated into a partition, you do not need to obtain a special permit, but with load-bearing walls the situation is different - the work is classified as a violation of the house structure. In this case, it is necessary to develop a project and coordinate the redevelopment.

The process of approving the planned redevelopment of a balcony or loggia and submitting documents

• In order for everything to be legal, you need to contact the city (or district) department of architecture at the immediate location of the apartment with a written application.
• After receiving permission from the architecture department, you need to enter into an agreement with a design organization that has a license to develop special redevelopment projects to provide you with services.
• When ready-made project documentation is received, it will need to be agreed upon with the local authorities of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the department of urban planning and architecture, the gas service and the sanitary and epidemiological station. All of the above organizations must issue you permits on their letterhead, certified by the signature of the managers and a wet seal.
• Having completed the collection of all permitting documents, you can go to the architecture department (to which you initially applied with the application) and pick up a warrant that gives the right to carry out reconstruction work.
• With your own hands, or with the help of invited professional builders, carry out the redevelopment of the agreed object in the apartment in accordance with the plan issued to the design organization. It should be noted that be careful when carrying out the restructuring; if you do not do it as indicated in the prescribed plan, you will have problems when handing over the object to the selection committee.
• The commissioning of the “new building” takes place in the presence of an invited selection committee with representatives from the city council, utility service and design organization. After all representatives of the services give the go-ahead, an act of putting the facility into operation is drawn up and signed by all members of the commission.
• When all the necessary documents are in hand (ownership of the property and its technical plan, warrant, permission for redevelopment, act of acceptance of the object after redevelopment), you need to make changes to the documents on ownership and the apartment plan, in accordance with the new documents. Previously, all this was done in BTI, today - by the organization that replaces it.

Security and functionality

When choosing a balcony door, you need to pay attention to safety, especially if there are small children or animals in the house.

In this case, it is necessary that the door is securely fixed when open and in ventilation mode. Also provide locks to prevent children from opening the door.

Remember that installing a balcony door that does not provide ventilation is a waste of money.

Reviews

Komisarenko L.B.

: Our balcony door to the loggia broke. We couldn't close it after airing it out. I would like to express my gratitude to the masters of PermOknaService Oleg and Roman. They arrived to repair the balcony door very quickly. The problem was identified and corrected. The craftsmen were polite, behaved correctly and professionally. But the most important thing is that the balcony door now closes and opens perfectly.

Alexander

: They called a technician to repair a PVC balcony door - the handle on the street side was broken and cracked. They arrived quickly and brought a handle - not the plastic one we had, but an aluminum one. Additionally, we installed a latch for the balcony door, also aluminum. The price suited us quite well - it turned out the same as if I had gone to the store myself, bought it and installed it.

Kolobov A.N.

The wooden door to the loggia did not close. The price for repairing a balcony door at PermOknaService was quite satisfactory to us. There was also no need to wait for a specialist. First, he removed the faulty part, closed the door and sealed it with tape. I brought new fittings and installed them. All this in one day, literally in 1.5 hours. We also didn’t pay any extra money - the price completely coincided with what the manager told us over the phone.

Glazing of an apartment in Butovo residential complex Lazarevsky

RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX "LAZAREVSKY"

Residential complex "Lazarevsky" in Butovo in the south-west of Moscow. Monolithic buildings, 24 floors high, with open-plan apartments. Facades made of facing bricks with different color shades.

Our company installed new glazing structures in several apartments of the Lazarevsky residential complex. In some of them, construction and finishing work was carried out by our contractors. Working together with builders, it was convenient for us to carry out the necessary calculations and plan the delivery and installation of products on time.

Repair stages

The optimal time for delivery of new windows to the site is after completion of major work, before finishing.

In addition to the significant risk of damaging new windows during construction work, a significant negative factor is dust (for example, from putty), which turns the hardware lubricant into an abrasive surrogate. In such situations, the warranty conditions may be violated.

INSTALLING NEW WINDOWS

REHAU Delight plastic windows with energy-saving double-glazed windows were installed in the apartment. The street side of the windows is decorated with RENOLIT Gray lamination. The gray color of the structures is the requirement of the developer. All doors have tilt and turn opening options.

Accessories

The fittings for the balcony door must be selected correctly. This point is important for the quality of installation and the service life of the structure.

Balcony fixtures must be equipped with the following fittings:

• locking mechanisms;
• loops;
• mechanisms for closing and opening;
• closers;
• handles;
• clamps;
• latches.

In addition to all of the above, the door to the loggia can be equipped with additional items:

• child protection, which is represented by a limiter or blocker;
• double handle;
• smoker's pen, which has a magnetic holder.

Experts advise installing slopes, scissors, combs, and profiles on the structure, thanks to which the use of the door will be comfortable and safe.

Step-by-step instruction

So, let's look at all the stages of replacing a door on a balcony from the very beginning. By the way, they will be the same regardless of its material.

1. Remove the old door from its hinges. Then remove the door frame. Usually, to do this, you have to break it using a pry bar or a nail puller. You can use a power saw to make the cut.
2. Now you need to thoroughly clean the doorway of any dirt and dust. First use brushes for this, and then use detergents or at least a soap solution. Everything must be perfectly clean. Wait until everything is dry and start measuring. We have already told you how to do this correctly above.
3. It's time to start installing a new balcony door. First of all, install the door frame, leaving a slight gap from the wall. If you plan to install sliding doors, then attach guide profiles to the support.
4. Seal all cracks with polymer foam or you can use any material that is used to insulate windows.
5. Hang the door on its hinges and carefully look at how it sits in the doorway. This is a crucial moment when you can still correct mistakes and irregularities, but then it will be too late.
6. When the balcony door is already in place, all that remains is to install and configure all the fittings.

Replacement of the plastic balcony door is completed

As you can see, the process of replacing a plastic balcony door is not particularly difficult. All stages are quite simple, and most importantly, understandable. This means that you can easily cope with this task on your own.

Types of clamping systems

There are several types of clamping systems on the market, which differ in the degree of clamping. Conventionally, they can be divided into four types:

• rotating eccentrics;
• hidden loops;
• offset strike plate;
• adjustable loop pressure.

Manufacturers of plastic windows can combine these systems to achieve maximum fit of the door to the plastic frame. In most cases, rotating eccentrics on locking pins with hidden hinges are used. A simple system allows you to reduce heat loss through the overall gaps, which significantly affects the reliability of the structure and its durability.

The other two types work on a similar principle, but are more difficult to implement at the production stage. At the moment they are practically not found on the market.

French model

French - completely glazed.

This model consists of two doors that completely occupy the exit to the balcony space.

Advantages:

• Stylish design.
• The area of ​​a small room can easily increase when the door is opened.
• High-quality room ventilation and free air access.
• Feeling of spaciousness.
• Visual connection between the balcony and the room.
• Maximum exposure to sunlight.

The boundaries between outdoor space and indoor space are blurred thanks to the large glass structure.

French doors are fully glazed wooden frames

Installation is carried out in any design style.

The disadvantage is the large number of glasses that require constant maintenance.

When placed on the sunny side, lint and stains on the glass become especially noticeable.

The French model also has variations:

• Sliding.
• Tilt-and-slide design.
• Lift-and-slide and lift-and-slide design.
• Harmonic.

Convenient removal of paint from wood is possible

One of the problems that arises when preparing a wooden window for renewing the protective coating of paint and varnish is removing the paint from the wood, which allows you to prepare the basis for high-quality painting of a wooden window. Removing old layers of paint allows you to create a base on which the paint will lie in an even and beautiful layer. Even twenty years ago, this operation was performed manually, using only a spatula or knife.

Modern methods of removing old paint layers

Currently, more effective methods are being used to remove old paint from windows without Herculean efforts.
The use of a blowtorch to burn the painted surface, used along with a traditional spatula, significantly speeded up the process. The paint layer heated up and was easier to remove.

Despite the obvious advantages of this method, which makes it possible to speed up the process of preparing the window surface, the existing disadvantages have not contributed to its mass distribution, since:

• using a blowtorch (gas torch) required accuracy and caution;
• in the process of softening a layer of old paint with an open fire, there was a high probability of wood fire;
• working with open fire did not meet fire safety requirements.

Modern commercially available power tools and chemicals allow you to safely remove paint from wooden windows without violating basic fire safety requirements.

The use of active chemicals (based on acid or caustic alkali) allows you to quickly soften the layer of old paint and remove it with a spatula from the surface of the window. The technology for using the “wash” is as follows:

The use of this method of preparing the window surface is distinguished by its price and consumer availability. The existing disadvantage is that each type of paint requires its own “wash”. In the event that paint is difficult to remove from wooden windows, it is necessary to choose a substance for a different type of paint coating, and it can be difficult to find the appropriate “removal”.

Power tool for mechanical removal of old paint

The desire to speed up and facilitate the work of removing old paintwork prompted the use of power tools for these purposes, such as:

• belt sander;
• electric plane.

The use of such methods of mechanical removal of old coating is characterized by high productivity and creates an even and smooth surface. However, using an electric planer or grinder has a number of disadvantages:

• working with this tool requires certain skills;
• the old paint layer is removed along with the wood layer, which leads to a thinner window frame;
• removing paint from wood using such a power tool can damage the integrity of the surface of wooden windows;
• it is impossible to remove old paint from small or thin parts, since there is a high probability of damage.

By and large, the question of how to remove paint on a wooden window remains open, since the complexity of performing the work by mechanical means and the possibility of damaging the surface to be cleaned neutralize all the advantages of electric tools.

Why not try a hot air blower?

Modern power tools, which have replaced outdated gas torches and blowtorches, allow you to remove paint from wooden windows without damaging the wood. A thermal blower, also called a hair dryer, produces a stream of hot air with a temperature of 50 to 650 degrees Celsius. Thanks to the strong flow of hot air, the layer of old paint is softened, which is then removed with a simple spatula. Naturally, paint removal is just one of the options for using a thermal blower, which is widely used for tinning, defrosting, butt welding polyethylene pipes, and melting.

Having a powerful construction hair dryer and special attachments means you don’t have to worry about how to remove paint on a wooden window, because:

• the tool is convenient to use;
• ergonomic handle – makes the tool easier to use;
• A high-quality industrial hair dryer is designed for a long operating period.

There is no doubt that the removal of the old layer of paint, the presence of such a modern tool allows you to quickly complete the unpleasant preparatory work. When using such heat treatment, the situation when paint is poorly removed from wooden windows will become simply unrealistic, since the layer of paint, regardless of the type, is softened by a hot air stream and removed with a spatula without damaging the wood of the window.

Design

Balcony doors amaze with their variety of shapes, here are just the main ones:

• rectangular;
• oval;
• semicircular.

Designs in the form of an arch look quite original; they can be used to decorate a narrow doorway.

A classic option is a rectangular glass structure that looks fresh and attractive. Coloring plays an important role in the design of this interior element. The most common color is white. Brown and gray models look no less stylish.

The French door to the loggia also deserves attention. It consists entirely of glass and has a pair of hinged doors.

Thanks to French balcony models, you can visually increase the space of the room.

Stained glass products with a floor-length pattern look beautiful and original.