Any plastic balcony or window systems of various modifications have become commonplace in both office and residential premises. Therefore, most owners of PVC products sooner or later face the problem of failure of components such as the handle. After all, any components of the structure tend to break during prolonged use. Of course, replacing it would seem to present no difficulties. But, in order to forget about the problem with the handles of plastic products for a long time, you need to know their variety, modifications and advantages.
The handle on the balcony door is not as primitive as it seems. In fact, it can be quite a complex device with a variety of functions
Principles for choosing a handle for a plastic balcony door
Before purchasing a handle for plastic windows or doors on the balcony, you must consider the following basic parameters:
- Resistance to temperature changes. This is especially important in cases where the balcony is not glazed. It is worth giving preference to plastic ones, since they do not heat up in the summer and do not cool too intensely in the winter.
- The handle should ensure a tight fit of the door or window to the transom.
- The material used in the manufacture of the element must not be subject to corrosive processes.
- Ergonomics should allow you to comfortably close and open the structure.
- Use should be as simple as possible.
- The reliability of the locking device should create the necessary level of security against penetration from the outside.
All these points must be taken into account before purchasing a handle for a plastic balcony door.
Handles for balconies
One of the most common places to install handles for a plastic door is a balcony. This is due to the fact that plastic double-glazed windows are installed everywhere on balconies, with which PVC doors harmonize well. Various color options can be used, but as a rule, white is used.
This does not prevent you from installing handles of any color that will match the overall interior and style of the room. For the production of fittings, the same material is used as for plastic windows, as well as for window handles. This allows windows and doors to harmonize with each other.
Handles can only be installed indoors, or they can be duplicated on the other side, on the balcony itself. It is worth noting that this may allow attackers to enter the apartment from the outside, through the balcony (on the lower floors of houses or on the very top).
In order to protect property from thieves, the handles for balcony panels are equipped with locks. In addition, such products will not allow small children to enter the balcony, since this is a rather dangerous place to play, especially in the absence of external glazing.
In most cases, a handle designed for a plastic balcony door has the same features and characteristics as a handle for an interior or entrance plastic door. You can verify this by studying the list of materials that are used to produce this type of fittings.
The canvas on which the fittings are installed can be solid, solid, made entirely of plastic, or equipped with various inserts made of glass or other materials. This allows you to create many design ideas in which handles play an important role.
An important role when installing fittings on a balcony is its resistance to external environmental conditions and reliability. In winter there are severe frosts, in summer there is sweltering heat and humidity. Plastic feels great in any weather conditions - it does not break, does not crack, and does not react to humidity.
Modifications of balcony locking devices
Today there are several different designs of door or window handles. Each of them has its own characteristics and advantages from an operational point of view.
The simplest option is a plastic petal handle
The petal handle is not equipped with a locking mechanism and is installed on the outside to cover the door when exiting to the balcony
Another variety is a metal shell handle. The functionality of these products is similar to petal type pens
One-sided view
For example, a one-sided handle for a balcony is quite easy to use. It should be installed when there is no need to open the door from the outside. This is important to consider, since from this point of view its functionality is limited.
Single-sided handle - simple in design and reliable in operation
Opening a balcony door with such a handle is possible only from the room, which increases security against penetration from the balcony
If it is necessary that the door can be opened both from the outside and from the inside, then you should choose a double-sided asymmetrical door handle design. It will look symmetrical on both sides. In addition, a fairly strong locking mechanism allows it to serve without changing quality for a long period of time.
The double-sided handle is much more convenient to use
This design eliminates the possibility of being locked out on the balcony.
With a lock
A lock installed on the door is necessary when the balcony structure is not glazed. It allows you to use a key or a turning mechanism to ensure reliable locking in the closed position.
The lock can be equipped with either a single-sided or double-sided handle
Handle with lock - a great option for families with small children
It is worth deciding on the fact that some handles for plastic doors to the balcony can be equipped with latches with tongues. This is quite convenient when you need to close the door behind you. In this variation, when the handle is pressed, the tongue extends from the clutch system with the bar and allows you to open the door. When the handle is released into its natural position, the tongue engages with the bar and ensures a tight closure of the structure. Such products are push-on and can be either single-sided or double-sided.
Hardware manufacturers use different designs of latches for balcony doors
A lock is also provided for the rotary handles. Its operating principle is similar to the previous model. When the handle moves in one direction, the tongue hits the bar and secures the door. During the reverse stroke, it comes out of the strip and reveals the elements of the window or door structure.
Rotating products provide the ability to set the frame to ventilation mode.
And others
On sale you may find a handle for a balcony door equipped with an anti-burglary element. For those who live on the lower floors, it can provide a fairly high level of reliability against penetration from the outside. This is achieved by a special mechanism that prevents the door from opening from the outside.
The anti-vandal handle is equipped with a armor plate against drilling of the lock
Types of handles
Handles are one of the most important elements of fittings. They make life much easier and more convenient. In addition to functional advantages, handles can also be a decorative element, emphasizing the features of the interior and delighting with their beauty.
It is not known exactly when handles appeared in human life and who came up with such an important element of fittings today. The first information about them appeared in the papyri of ancient Egypt, which were written 4 thousand years ago. Over the years, the fittings became better, more functional, and many types and varieties appeared.
The main impetus for the development of pens was made in the last century, after the Second World War. It was at this time that plastic doors began to appear, for which completely different handles were used than for wooden and metal doors.
In the modern understanding, handles for plastic doors are not just staples that need to be pulled for the door to open, but a whole mechanism that carries various functions.
There are two main types of such mechanisms on the market. The first type is mobile. Such handles are also called halyard handles. The design feature is that the handle is connected to a locking mechanism. To open the door you need to turn it or press it.
The second type is stationary. In this case, the handle is a fixed structural element not connected to the lock. Stationary button handles, as well as staples and shells, are widespread.
The last variety should be described in more detail. They are mounted only when a normal latch is installed on the door, which fixes its position. Otherwise, in a strong wind or in a draft, the door may open and the glass unit may break. As a rule, the installation location for this type of fittings is the outer part of the balcony door.
This pen received the name “shell” for a reason. It is very similar to a mollusk shell. It can be made from both plastic and aluminum. Manufacturers strive to make such fittings invisible.
Installation can be done anywhere on the canvas. The main rule is the convenience of opening in height. Fastening is carried out using ordinary self-tapping screws, which, after tightening, are closed with decorative caps. Installation is very simple.
This pen is also called a “smoker’s pen.” It is intended specifically for plastic doors that lead to the balcony. With its help you can enter the loggia and close the door behind you. The interesting name is due to the fact that such pens are usually used by people who smoke. In most cases, this element of fittings is included in the standard equipment of doors.
Depending on how handles are installed on plastic doors, there are overhead or mortise models. The invoices are fixed on the outside of the canvas. Mortise ones are fixed in a cavity specially cut into the canvas.
The most common types of pens on the market are:
- The handle is a halyard, which is essentially rotary. The handle is turned to open the locking mechanism. There are also push options. Such mechanisms can be installed not only on plastic doors, but also on ordinary interior doors;
- Handle-brace. If locks are installed on the door, such a handle is installed only so that it is possible to pull it to open the door.
Various technologies are used to produce handles for plastic doors. This makes it possible to produce various versions of products from a variety of materials with different shapes and appearance. Materials such as PVC and various metal alloys are used. The color can be completely different, which implies complete freedom for creativity.
Modern pens can become a real decoration for a home, apartment, or other home. There are also designer options that are made to order. They can be very beautiful, but at the same time very expensive.
Methods for installing handles on a plastic door
In addition to the various designs, it is also necessary to pay attention to the mounting methods. The balcony handle can be fixed in the following ways - overhead and mortise.
In both cases, replacing the handle does not require special knowledge. To work you will need a minimum of tools - a drill with drill bits, a screwdriver and a little skill
Overhead – traditional type of fittings. Fastening is carried out on the outer (both external and internal) surface of the door leaf - in this case, holes are drilled for a metal pin that is threaded into the door structure. After this, the elements are screwed on both sides.
The mortise method provides a higher level of reliability. The mechanism is placed inside the door leaf. The main advantage of this installation is that the door handle does not become loose and there is no play in the hole, so the structure fits quite tightly and reliably. Most often, this option uses additional latches that do not close the door, but allow you to fix it in the closed position. They come in 3 variations:
- Roller ones that are mounted on a metal plate. The roller is supported from the inside by a flexible spring, which ensures that the door latches into the transom. Opening is done by lightly applying force to the door leaf.
Roller latches are most often found in modern balcony doors - The second combination is a halyard design, which is equipped with a special tongue that secures the door leaf.
A halyard latch is essentially a type of lock - The magnetic latching design functions quite reliably and ensures a tight fit of the door elements.
The magnetic latch works very simply - a steel plate is installed on the end of the door leaf, and a counterpart with a magnet is screwed onto the frame of the balcony block
Installation of handles on balcony doors. Step by step
So, depending on the type of handle, mounting systems can be overhead or mortise. The need for materials and tools depends on the installation method. What additional things might be needed?
- Drills of suitable diameter (one 10 mm, the second 5 or 6 mm);
- Screwdriver or screwdriver;
- hacksaw or grinder;
- knife;
- metal stripping machine.
Step-by-step installation algorithm:
- If the door is not new, the old handle is removed from it.
- The presence and correspondence of the holes for the new handle are checked. If their diameter and position are suitable for the new fittings, they can be installed there. Otherwise, you need to accurately mark the location and drill the corresponding holes. Typically, the central hole for fixing is 8 mm in diameter; 6 mm holes are needed for screws.
- The purchased double-sided handle must be separated into two parts and the fastener design carefully checked. Fasteners are usually supplied with the product.
- During installation, rubber gaskets must be installed under the screws. If any parts of the rubber protrude from under the fasteners, they must be carefully cut off.
- After the screws are firmly tightened, decorative caps are put on the outside of them, they make the fittings look neat.
- When everything is fixed, you need to work the opening and closing mechanism several times. You also need to ensure that the door leaf fits tightly to the door frame. Do not allow drafts, dust or noise to enter through the cracks.
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of handle
When considering the advantages of a particular door lock with a handle, you should pay attention to the following points:
- If you need to change the handle, it is better to make it mortise. This way it will last longer and will not become loose.
- It is advisable to use metal products on the door system only if moisture ingress and condensation accumulation are excluded.
- Plastic handles do not heat up when exposed to sunlight, and do not overcool under the influence of low temperatures, which makes them quite convenient to use in terms of tactile contact.
- When using latches, it is necessary to take into account that it is the magnetic design that allows you to securely fix the door, regardless of how tightly the door leaf is fitted to the frame. Also, if a slight misalignment occurs, the magnetic latch does not stop functioning and fulfill its main purpose.
- Roller and tongue clamps fail quite quickly due to the fact that the internal pressure spring either weakens or breaks.
Door latches
The handle for a plastic door when open cannot keep the door from opening. In such cases, the installation of a special latch is required.
The following types of latches are widely used:
- Roller. This option works as follows. When the roller falls into the groove, a spring is activated, which latches the mechanism. This is the most reliable and preferred option. On the other hand, if the blade sags, the latch requires adjustment;
- Falevaya. The principle of operation of this latch is similar to a roller latch, with the exception that it is not a roller that is used, but a special rectangle (beveled). To open the door, you need to install a rotary handle on it;
- Magnetic.
The most convenient and proven option. The good thing is that it always works, regardless of whether the door is warped or not. Installation can be carried out at any height, and closing is realized using the attractive force of two magnets. The advantage of such a latch is that the magnetic mechanism does not wear off and is practically eternal.
The latches work well with the previously discussed smoker handle, which allows you to pull the door until the latch mechanism of any design is activated.
So, the choice of handles for plastic doors is not large, but they all have their own characteristics. They are easy to install and convenient to use. If problems arise, the fittings are easily replaced with similar ones.
Photos of examples of handle design for a plastic balcony door
It is necessary to take into account that at the moment there is a large assortment of handles for door and window structures of PVC products on the market. Handles can be made of either plastic or metal. Their color can be very diverse with imitation of different textures.
When purchasing such a product, you need to choose only high-quality handles from well-known manufacturers. Due to the fact that they always bear a high mechanical load, they must meet all quality standards. Only in this case will their service life be long.
