The plastic door to the balcony does not close: what to do, how to adjust

Over time, the plastic door to the balcony may begin to close poorly, causing heat and sound insulation to deteriorate. However, the occurrence of such problems is not a reason to change the balcony block. Most often, the problem can be solved by adjusting the fittings.

If the plastic balcony door closes loosely or with difficulty, then you should not try to close it by force. You may damage the mechanism, after which you will have to repair the structure. It is necessary to determine the source of the defect as soon as possible and eliminate it.

Signs of violations

You can identify the problem by a number of external signs: you need to open and close the door several times, turning the handle and listening to the sound of the lock.

Next, inspect the sash completely from the inside, then from the outside:

If the lower end of the door touches the threshold when moving and you have to lift it up to close it, it may have sagged. The problem is typical for wooden or metal-plastic structures, but a heavy glass unit can also sag.
It clings to the frame with the middle part - the door leaf has moved horizontally / has become deformed.
It does not close properly even after turning the handle, you cannot hear the characteristic click of the lock, or a gap is visible between it and the sash - the clamping mechanism is broken.

Inspect the rubber insulation, perhaps they have become deformed or come off in some places.

The handle may jam when turning, preventing normal closing. If the handle or the lock itself is broken, only replacing the door will solve the problem.

The source of the problem is often revealed by careful inspection.

First, let's look at what problems may arise during operation:

The door has dropped and touches the threshold;

This is all due to the load of the canvas with glass on the hinges, which causes sagging.

The door does not close or closes poorly in the middle of the leaf;

The canvas may move towards the free edge of the box due to temperature or increased constant humidity.

The canvas does not close tightly, and cold air or a draft enters the room from the door;

It can occur during operation when the control mechanism becomes slightly loose.

The handle is loose;

The handle begins to loosen due to frequent use and this is a common practice when using a plastic door.

Why doesn't the balcony door close?

Having determined why the balcony door does not close, you need to calculate the severity of the violations. If you have the tools, you can fix minor problems yourself.

The seal is worn out

The rubber seal is located around the circumference of the plastic and periodically wears out, losing its original properties. If external defects are visible, you can fix it yourself by replacing it with a new one:

Carefully remove the old seal completely.
Clean the grooves by removing dirt, accumulated dust and glue residues with a plastic spatula, then wipe with a napkin.
After waiting for it to dry, begin installation from the nearest corner of the door. Treat the groove with special glue.
Install the sealing cord in one piece, avoiding stretching or, conversely, pressing.
Re-treat the corner joint with glue.

In the fall, it is advisable to lubricate the seal with a special lubricant before the cold weather, this will prevent cracking.

Gaps remain between the frame and the canvas itself

Adjusting the pressure will solve the problem of a loose fit of the sash - you need to check the trunnions / eccentrics located in the center of the leaf. The trunnions can be turned by clamping with pliers, the eccentrics - with a hex key.

Can be adjusted using hand tools

The clamping force should be checked after 1 turn: insert a sheet of paper into the opening, close the door and pull the sheet, trying to pull it out. If it comes out freely, continue adjusting.

Lock malfunction

The lock should close the door while holding it in one position. May become faulty after active use.

You need to remove the old lock by unscrewing the fasteners with a screwdriver, then screw in the new one. After which the sash will stop jamming.

In the middle it touches the frame

The door no longer locks in place; there is an obstruction in the middle. It is necessary to adjust the awnings, starting with the side screw of the lower hinge. Turn it 2 times, following the direction of the hour loop. The sash will slowly pull towards the hinge. Carry out a similar operation with a canopy on top.

It is important to deal with the awnings if the lock is working.

Scheme for adjusting the sash.

The sash sags on the threshold

Over time and exposure to precipitation, the sash sags and stops latching tightly. You need to manually adjust the awnings, starting from the top.

These hinges hold the door frame straight:

Open the door and remove the protective cap from the canopy.
Turn the bottom hinge screw twice in a clockwise direction.
Close the sash, then check how it works. If the problem persists, tighten the screw 2 more times.
Sometimes the breakdown is solved by moving the glass unit closer to the canopies - remove the glazing beads, then press the glass towards the hinges.

It is important to additionally check the loop at the top, tightening it if necessary.

The hexagon lock helps secure the hinges in the desired position.

The handle is loose

The PVC door handle turns easily or hard - the mechanism may be clogged. It is necessary to clean and then lubricate the fittings with special oil.

The slats are positioned incorrectly, which is why the handle may not really turn. Only professionals can fix this problem.

It is easy to tighten a loose handle by turning the mounting screws with a screwdriver or replace the fittings.

The door didn't open properly

It happens that a closed sash is opened halfway for ventilation, then it becomes loose. The upper part “falls out”, but the lower part remains, and the handle jams, not wanting to go down:

On the door, in the area below the handle, there is a bar that prevents opening - a pin, you need to press it more tightly to the profile. Then press the top one that fell out of the loop to its frame.
While holding the trunnion straight, return the handle to the opening position (horizontal). Check the condition of the axle from below.
Close the sash by turning it down.

The fault should disappear.

The diagram will help determine the correct position of the trunnions.

Gap between canvas and frame

If this problem occurs, the solution is to adjust the clamping mechanism. At the end of the door there are pins or eccentrics that rotate towards the sealing contour. The eccentric is turned with a hex wrench, and the trunnions are turned with pliers.

After each rotation made, it is necessary to check the clamping force. To do this, you can use an ordinary piece of paper or newspaper, which is inserted between the sash and the opening. The door closes, and if the sheet is pulled out easily, then you still need to turn it, but if it is pulled out very hard, then the pressure is good.

If everything was done as expected, but there is still blowing from under the door, then the problem lies in a worn seal.

Tools needed to fix the problem

When a plastic balcony door does not close tightly, the reason is a malfunction of the leaf itself or its components. Most breakdowns can be repaired at home, using a regular set of tools.

What you will need:

pliers;
hex keys - set;
building level;
Phillips screwdriver.

Perhaps a new handle and other pieces of hardware should be prepared in advance.

No complicated tool needed

Lock malfunction

The locking mechanism installed in the double-glazed window is designed to hold the sash in the closed position. If the balcony door is used quite intensively, the lock may fail. The new device is screwed to the end of the sash using screws. First, the fasteners should be unscrewed. Then the balcony latch is pulled out and a new one is installed in its place.

Elimination of defects

Manufacturers make plastic doors with the expectation of long-term service, but many factors interfere with their operation - climate influences, owner inattention, frequent use.

Poor care also affects the properties of the material. The balcony sash should close tightly, preventing the cold from outside from penetrating into the room.

Methods for eliminating defects and malfunctions:

Adjusting loose mechanisms - hinges, checking the lock and the position of the door leaf. When moving, it should not touch the bottom or top of the opening.
Timely replacement of the seal is carried out in full - it is impossible to remove the damaged piece by cutting it off from the cord. It is necessary to remove everything and install a new one around the circumference.
Check the external condition of the sash, including the reverse side.
After the technician installs a new double-glazed window, carefully check the condition of the mechanisms and evaluate the external characteristics of the object; there should be no design defects.

It is important to understand why over time the door stops working normally - any mechanism wears out, but most types of damage can be fixed by yourself.

The seal is worn out

It also often happens that the seal wears out. Most often this happens after five years of operation. But if you handle the structure carelessly, this time can be significantly reduced. The first signal that the seal has worn out will be drafts along the contour. In this case, it will not be possible to return the seal to its former appearance, so you will have to purchase a new one from a specialized store. It is advisable to buy seals from German manufacturers. If one is not found, then Russian ones are acceptable, but Chinese ones are undesirable. The latter are extremely unreliable and are not worth the cost.

Repair features

It is useful to assess the severity and scale of the problem - in which cases you should call a specialist:

If the glass is cracked or broken, a specialist will bring a new one of the required size and quickly replace it.
A new door needs to be installed, the old one cannot be installed, the damage is serious. Manufacturers of double-glazed windows offer a delivery service with subsequent installation. It’s easier to make a purchase and wait for the specialist.

Other types of breakdowns can be corrected independently with “straight” hands and basic skills.

Most door repairs can be done yourself.

Pressure adjustment

Before you start adjusting the door, you need to evaluate how it closes - easily or with force. Carefully inspect the perimeter of the seal to assess the presence of a defect. When the cause of the breakdown has been found, then, armed with a standard set of tools, you can proceed directly to the work. But what are the maximum sizes of a double-glazed window, you can find out here.

The action plan is as follows:

If the essence of the problem lies in the doorway, then you will need to tighten the screws that are concentrated in the hinges. As a rule, there are 3 of them in total. Open the door structure and unscrew the trim using a regular wrench. Then close the door and remove the trim. Replace the screw, which is located in a horizontal plane. It will also be interesting to see what butterfly hinges for interior doors look like.
If during the inspection a weakening of the traction was discovered in the lower edge, which is distant from the hinges, then the problem can be solved by simply tightening the screws concentrated in the upper and middle hinges.
The verticality of the door structure may also be disrupted. Then you will have to adjust the hinge from below. To complete the task, you must use a 5.5 mm wrench.
Tighten the strikers located at the bottom and top of the door using a 2.5 mm wrench and then a screwdriver with a flat tip. But you can adjust the locking plate using a Phillips screwdriver. You need to slightly raise the door structure and then adjust the lower hinges. For these purposes, install a wrench in the groove and rotate it clockwise.
If it was possible to determine obvious defects in the lower seal, then the adjustment will be carried out using the upper hinges.

Prevention measures

In order for the balcony door to be fixed properly and serve for a long time, it is necessary to take care of it:

Adjust the clamping mechanism periodically. Weaken in summer, and strengthen in winter.
Install a microlift, it prevents the plastic from sagging, and at the same time install a limiter.
Purchase only high-quality double-glazed windows from trusted companies who provide a quality guarantee. Replace parts with others that are also of high quality. Then the sash will last the warranty period specified by the manufacturer, even longer.

Careful handling also prolongs the performance of things. You should also periodically inspect the sash and the entire frame, eliminating minor defects in a timely manner.

A bad shutter or slow turning of the handle can lead to serious damage.

If the door to the balcony does not close, the problem should be addressed immediately, especially in winter. Having carefully examined it and determined the type of breakdown, find a way out: bring tools for home repairs or call a specialist. Any minor defect gets worse over time and should not be neglected. Timely actions will prevent the situation from getting worse.

Is it possible to deal with problems on my own?

During regular use of a balcony door, its heat and sound insulation characteristics deteriorate. In most cases, the horizontal and vertical pressure of the sash can be adjusted independently, but if more complex problems arise, it is better to seek help from a specialist.

No matter how high-quality and expensive a plastic balcony door is, it will still need adjustment of the fittings over time. To increase the service life of a plastic structure during installation, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

Tight fit of the fabric around the entire perimeter;
Is there any horizontal and vertical displacement;
Lack of independent opening or closing of the door;
The canvas should be easy to open, without any effort.

You should not put off repairs until later, and if even one problem is detected, you must immediately carry out adjustments to avoid more complex damage to the box, door leaf or locking mechanisms.

Where to find quality reinforcement?

The thickness of the reinforcing profile is not the only important characteristic of a window. The quality of the profile depends on the grade of metal, protective coating, and stability of geometric dimensions. The manufacturer of plastic windows needs to choose a worthy supplier. * is a leading manufacturer of reinforcement in Russia, producing products for profile systems to the highest quality standards.

The domestic manufacturer has 64 rolling mills at its disposal, which produce 120 thousand tons of steel profiles. The quality of raw materials is strictly controlled in factory laboratories - only steel that complies with GOST is used.

The assortment includes more than 200 items. It is possible to manufacture profiles according to customer drawings.

More information about Union products*

Frequently asked questions

Let's look at some questions that users ask most often:

If the sash on a warranty window is hanging on one hinge, should it be left in this position until the technician arrives?

Yes, you will have to leave her in this position. Firstly, any attempt should not be made due to the risk of losing the warranty. Secondly, the technician will immediately see the problem and will not have to explain what happened. Just in case, the frame can be tied up or secured in another way to relieve the load on the lower hinge and maintain its functionality.

Can there be several reasons for jamming at once?

If the windows have never been serviced, it is quite possible for several reasons to occur simultaneously. Therefore, if you cannot immediately obtain the expected result, you should take a closer look at the sash and perform additional steps.

Is it necessary to immediately perform maintenance on the plastic window after the sash is restored to working order?

This is the most correct option to complete the repair. Otherwise, the possibility of repeated jamming will remain, and in the very near future. This can cause serious damage if inept and unprepared people try to solve the problem.

Is it possible to replace low-quality fittings with more reliable and expensive ones to eliminate problems?

In this matter, you need to consult a specialist. Some types of fittings do not have a universal design and can only work on a certain type of plastic profile. It is recommended to first find out what type of profile is on the windows and what models of locks or hinges can be used.

How often should hardware be serviced and lubricated to avoid jamming problems?

As a rule, the frequency of maintenance depends on the operating conditions and the frequency of use of the valves. The minimum number of procedures is 1 time per year. If the window is located in the city center with a heavily polluted atmosphere and is often used, the number of maintenance procedures is increased to 2-4 times a year.

Glass replacement

Instructions for replacing glass on a balcony door:

Using a chisel, thin spatula or knife, remove the glazing beads. First the long one, then the rest in order of priority.
Next, using a spatula or any other suitable tool, carefully pull out the glass.
Next, insert the glass and place the support pads as in the diagram below.
Carefully close the door and if no rubbing occurs, hammer in the glazing beads; if there is rubbing, then it is necessary to further adjust, you may need to additionally add support pads, in some places it is possible to have two at once.

For the winter

When cold weather approaches, it is necessary to prepare for it as best as possible. Previously, when there was a door on the balconies, people used foam and taped all the joints with it so that the cold did not seep into the room. But with a plastic door this number will not work.

In order for an atmosphere of warmth and comfort to reign in the house during winter frosts, you just need to adjust them correctly in order to restore the damaged tightness of the structure. In this case, two problems may arise - displacement of the upper and lower corners of the door structure. In order for the door to press well, you need to choose the right latch for the pvc balcony door.

The displacement of the upper corner of the door can be corrected if you follow the following action plan:

Remove the plug from the top hinge, thanks to which the entire door installation is held in place.
Using an L-shaped hex key, tighten the screw.
Carefully perform rotational movements with the sash to the left and then to the right relative to the bottom hinge.
When the sash is in the correct position, lower the top hinge screw.
Install the decorative plug and evaluate the quality of the work done.

It may also be useful for you to know what types of blinds exist for aluminum sliding windows on the balcony.

If the lower corner has shifted, the defect must be corrected as follows:

Remove the plug from the bottom hinge.
Use a hex wrench to tighten the screw.
To adjust the pressure of the door structure, it is necessary to rotate it in the horizontal plane in one direction and then in the other direction relative to the top hinge.
Secure the normally functioning sash by lowering the screw.
Reinstall the plug in its original place.

It may also be useful for you to learn how to adjust a double-glazed balcony door.

Replacing a broken handle

If the balcony handle is faulty or requires replacement, then the procedure for performing the work is as follows:

It is necessary to rotate the decorative plastic cover. To do this, slightly pull the cover towards you and turn it to the right or left and install it in a horizontal position.
Using a screwdriver, unscrew the two screws.
We take out the screws and remove the handle.
We install the new handle in place of the old one. It is worth noting that when we removed the old handle it was in a horizontal position, therefore, we install the new handle in the same horizontal position. We turn the handle to a horizontal position, move the decorative cover, insert it into the hole and tighten it with screws.
We put the decorative cover in place. Installation completed.