For reading 8 min.
The latch is required element PVC profile balcony door fittings. For home master will useful information about its purpose, classification and the principle of operation of each type. Tips from the practice of operating balcony latches will also be useful.
Plastic door latch is a very useful, convenient and functional part of modern door hardware. Uncomplicated principle of operation, similar to work latches on the doors of kitchen cabinets, allows you not to be distracted by monitoring the position of the door. The latch mechanism is designed for the free opening of the door by a person (if necessary) without the application of any serious efforts. But at the same time, strong gusts of wind do not disturb the closed position of the door leaf. Keeping the plastic door from swinging open while the door lock mechanism is in the unlocked position is the main task of the installed latch.
Another, everyday, name of the mechanism is the smoker's latch. The explanation for this is simple: it is enough to slam the door on the latch and the smoke will no longer be drawn into the living space; tight closing of the balcony door with a lock is not required for a short visit to the balcony or loggia. When using a one-way lock (its handle is located on the side of the room) and there is no latch, the door cannot be closed when leaving the balcony. So, the usefulness and necessity of installing a latch on balcony door obvious.
The main difference between the latches used is in the locking mechanism. On this basis, the following types are distinguished:
Sagging of the door leaf, its misalignment, change in the geometry of the frame structure can disrupt or make it impossible for the correct functioning of the roller and latch latch. The working latch (in the form of a roller or a beveled tongue) must fit exactly into the catch of the striker mounted on the frame. Emergency setting consists in adjusting the door leaf with the hardware screws. In the process of adjustment, the position of the door relative to the frame opening is adjusted. In this case, the canvas can be raised, lowered, shifted to the right and left its top or bottom, and the force of pressing the opening sash to the frame can be adjusted. If this adjustment did not help to establish correct work latches (in general, this is very rare) - you will have to dismantle and reinstall one of the parts of the mechanism. Usually they are shifted in the right direction and a strip with a groove is attached.
The magnetic latch does not pose a problem in this regard. With a verified initial installation, its correct and reliable operation will not change from a slight distortion or subsidence of the door.
Installing the magnetic latch takes a few minutes Another characteristic difference between latches. If the file and roller close with a characteristic click, then the magnetic ones almost do not disturb others.
Due to the fact that the functional elements of the latches are attached to the end part of the frame and door profile, they are not visible from any side of the view. This feature helps to preserve the strict classical aesthetics of not only the door, but also the entire structure installed in the opening.
Maintenance of all types of latches is very simple. Periodically, their mechanisms are wiped from dust, dirt, debris and lubricated (except for the magnetic latch plates) special means for window fittings. Any silicone grease or regular machine oil (spindle) will also work. The main thing is to be sure that the used lubricant does not include resins, acids and other aggressive substances.
Handle - plastic petal To close, or rather to pull, the door from the street side, it is imperative to provide a special external handle. Made of metal, more often - of durable plastic, the handle visually resembles a shell or petal in shape. A plastic shell is much nicer tactilely, especially in the cold season. But it is easier to break it with careless use, and the material itself tends to deteriorate with prolonged exposure to sunlight, negative temperatures and other external factors. The main advantages of being more expensive metal handle- resistance to mechanical stress and long service life. Typically, the outer door pull handle is positioned at the same height as the swing handle of the lock. This position is very convenient for closing the door.
It is possible to do without the outer shell handle only if the door lock mechanism is two-sided, that is, the inner and outer rotary handles of the lock are required.
Double-sided handle on a plastic door The choice of external handles in specialized firms and construction supermarkets allows you to choose a copy with a convenient ergonomic shape and the desired color.
At self-assembly, when replacing the latches, it is advisable to use screws: not shorter than 30-35 mm- for fastening the roller cylinder with a safety margin; no longer than 19 mm- when installing the external handle (this ensures that the screw does not reach and does not damage the glass unit during installation or further use of the handle).
Getting started, you need to be sure that in the near future its position relative to the frame opening will not change. If necessary, you will have to independently set the position of the door leaf and the pressure to the frame when closing with the rotary handle. The door hinge screws will help with this. Now we proceed to the main installation. A screwdriver or a more convenient screwdriver will be enough from the tool; take a pencil for marking.
The easiest way is to install a magnetic latch. No special adjustment or precise installation is required. Both strips are simply attached at the same level - to the end of the door and the frame profile. A slight displacement of the relative position will not interfere with the correct operation of the latch.
Opposite the latch, make a mark with a pencil and fasten the striker in the center of the groove Another thing is with the roller and latch mechanism. In both cases, the exact position of the slotted strip relative to the latch is required. Without hesitation and measurements, we attach the latch itself to the seat of the balcony sash. Opposite its center, we make a risk with a pencil and bring this line outward so that it is noticeable when closed door... Having closed the door, we note a similar risk at the same level, but on the frame. At this height, the center of gripping of the striker should be located. Now we fix the bar with a latch along the mark with one screw and check the correct operation of the mating elements. If the result is negative, the bar is shifted and the performance is checked again. If further adjustment is not required, the bar is also attached with a second screw.
Currently, when arranging their home or apartment, people choose modern materials and the corresponding components to them. And if half a century ago a person could not even think that instead of a wooden window or balcony he would have a plastic one, then today this material is gaining more and more popularity. And this is not without reason, because the same door, made of plastic, is a head taller in its own technical specifications, besides, it is easy to look after her.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to preserve the original performance of the door. This can happen for many reasons. Due to careless handling or simply wear and tear of parts. In any case, do not rush to call the master. Often, breakdowns are minor, so that everyone can solve them on their own. This article will discuss what to do if the plastic door to the balcony does not close.
The plastic door to the balcony does not close for many reasons, but in any case it is possible to return it to working condition. And so that such incidents no longer arise, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the "symptoms of the disease", in other words, to find out why the structure breaks down.
It happens that the sash sagged. In this case, do not panic, because this malfunction is very easy to fix. As for the reasons, this is simply due to wear and tear. The fact is that absolutely any double-glazed unit sags sooner or later. And it is always the sash that does this first because of its mass.
To solve this problem yourself, you will need:
It also often happens that the seal wears out. This most often occurs after five years of operation. But if you handle the structure carelessly, this time can be significantly reduced. The first signal that the seal is 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 in a specialized store. It is advisable to buy seals from German manufacturers. If such is not found, then it is acceptable and Russian, but undesirable Chinese. The latter are extremely unreliable and will not justify the costs.
Also, the plastic door to the balcony does not close for a number of other, smaller reasons, which are much less common, but still take place. It is worth mentioning that when ordering window blocks from proven and reliable manufacturers, the risk of encountering these problems is extremely small.
And the problems can be like this:
Each person who purchases window blocks should be ready to face the fact that the plastic door to the balcony does not close. It does not matter whether the top or the bottom is moving away. You can solve this problem by adjusting the fittings.
So, to fix this problem, you only need one tool - a hexagon. The door has a special mechanism located at the top. It will be visible if you open the sash. It is located at the end. Using the hex wrench, you need to turn it. By turning left or right, you can adjust the tightness of the door. In the event that the top leaves, it is necessary to pull it in, otherwise - to loosen it.
These manipulations need to be mastered on their own, without calling specialists, because these actions will need to be repeated periodically, since over time the mechanisms weaken, and a gap appears between the sash and the frame.
If the plastic door to the balcony does not close, the handle may cause this. This problem will be obvious, and this means that the locking hardware is broken. Unfortunately, this mechanism cannot be repaired, and it must be completely changed.
Above in the text it was said that there are two breakdown options. But there is only one method of elimination - a complete replacement of the broken element. Thus, if the handle itself, external or internal, is damaged, then in a specialized store you need to buy the same and install. This operation can be performed independently.
If the internal mechanism is damaged, you also need to purchase it in the store, but replacing it can be difficult, so if you are not confident in your abilities, trust a specialist better.
Subsidence is another reason why the plastic door to the balcony does not close. Over time, under the weight of its own mass, the structure may move downward, in which case the sash will touch the edge of the frame.
In order to correct this problem, it is necessary to adjust the sash itself. It is advisable to learn how to do it yourself, since you will have to repeat this procedure more than once, because after fixing the problems, it will settle again over time. Unfortunately, this process is cyclical.
So, in the event that the plastic door to the balcony does not close (sagged), you need to raise it higher, for this you need to open a special mechanism. It is located at the bottom of the door. It will be convenient to work when it is closed. After removing the protective caps, you need to take the hexagon and, having installed it in the corresponding hole, turn it to the right or left. If you turn it clockwise, the flap will rise, which in this case is necessary, but if you notice that you have applied too much force and the flap has risen high, you can turn the key to the left to lower it. By carrying out these manipulations, it will be possible to achieve the desired result in a matter of minutes.
It often happens that the plastic door to the balcony does not close from the outside or from the inside. This can happen for two reasons. In the first option, the lock fittings will be the culprit - they are worn out or simply broken. The second option involves incorrect door adjustment. Both cases will now be considered.
In the case of fittings, everything is simple. This problem can be attributed to the one presented above. Its solution is simply to replace the component, but in order to adjust the door so that it does not open itself, it is necessary to do some manipulations.
In general, all actions are painfully simple. You will need one of two tools: this is a mounting wrench with a hole for the door eccentric, which can only be found in a specialized store, or ordinary pliers. Having selected the tool, it is necessary to open the sash. The eccentrics will be located at the end. By placing them vertically, you adjust the pressure so that it is minimum, horizontally - maximum. Twisting the eccentric, you need to align it so that the fit is optimal, and the lock fittings adhere to each other in the best way, thereby ensuring a tight closing of the door.
Now, if the plastic door to the balcony does not close, you know what to do. As you can see, repairing it is much easier than it might seem. And it is important to learn how to do it yourself, because the manipulations are simple, and they must be repeated periodically, and not call the master because of such trifles.
Installation metal plastic doors and window systems to the balcony is a frequently practiced scheme. It is convenient, has a reasonable cost and is durable, both in operation and in external data. After a certain period of time, the opening mechanisms of the door leafs begin to work worse. This period depends on the accuracy of use, the manufacturer of the mechanism, the correct initial installation, and even on temperature parameters. If the balcony door began to open or close poorly, this does not mean that it is time to change the entire unit - it is enough just to adjust the mechanism. How to adjust a plastic balcony door? It is enough to know a few basic points.
It is worth thinking about adjusting the balcony door only when malfunctions in the operation of the sash become noticeable - discomfort when using the door.
Remember when new windows and doors were just installed on the balcony. The handle turned easily and into the strictly necessary position, the door did not "get confused" - to make a full opening or set for ventilation. All movements of the sash were smooth and light.
If any problems arise with the operation of the balcony door, even in the form of a more rigid opening or closing, it is necessary to adjust the mechanism.
Plastic balcony doors have been widely used as balcony doors for more than a year. During this period, firms that perform technical and warranty maintenance of window and door mechanisms were able to easily compile a list of the most common problems that need to be adjusted to the balcony door.
Sagging under its own weight - the door leaf begins to cling to the threshold. At first, almost imperceptibly, over time - more and more clearly.
The sagging of the balcony door is caused by the natural mechanism of the hinge sagging. The weight of such a sash is rather big and over the years the hinges get tired of holding it. The rate of occurrence of this problem depends on the manufacturer and material of the hinges, as well as on the number of chambers and the thickness of the glass.
If you live in a climate with a sharp change in temperature and humidity, and your balcony is not reinforced with additional thermal insulation materials, get ready for the door to start sticking in the middle. This is how the door leaf is displaced to the side, towards the frame.
In 90% of cases, it occurs as a reaction to climatic conditions - temperature drops, high humidity followed by drought.
The next common problem- the balcony door ceases to adhere tightly to the frame when closed. This malfunction not only causes inconvenience during use, but also hazardous to the health of the residents of the apartment. Unplanned in the middle of winter is a very unpleasant experience.
The cause of this problem is age - the age of the mechanism. Over time, the parts responsible for pressing the door leaf to the frame weaken and need to be adjusted.
Poor quality materials and rough handling will cause the doorknob to loosen or fall off altogether. This problem is also not difficult to fix.
Other possible malfunctions in the mechanisms occur much less often, some require the intervention of specialists.
The problems described above can be eliminated by yourself, with some knowledge and a general understanding of the operation of the door mechanism. It won't take long to fix these problems - normal adjustments rarely takes more than 30 minutes. Observing due care, it is impossible to irreversibly spoil something when adjusting the mechanism.
To eliminate the sagging of the balcony sash, the task is to raise the sash to a certain height.
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When the sash sags, we resort to vertical adjustment, and if it sags in the middle, caused by climatic conditions, we resort to horizontal adjustment. 
There are locking mechanisms in the front part of the balcony sash. It is they who will help save the residents of the apartment from unwanted drafts and keep the house warm.
Most plastic flaps have 4 locking mechanisms... They have two types of eccentrics.
To change the fit of the door, it is necessary to act on these eccentrics. Diagonal position for standard and center position for i.s. indicate an average degree of sash clamping.
Displacement towards the vertical or to the right - weakens the degree of pressing the sash to the frame, displacement towards the horizontal or to the left - enhances.
For the cold season, it is better to install tighter fit of the sash.
Now you know how to fix common problems with door mechanisms. There is nothing difficult in this, but the presence of a hexagon will play into the hands. If not, you can try using a screwdriver.
If you are afraid of introducing a balcony sash into the mechanism, invite a master who will not only make a competent adjustment essential elements, and will teach you how to adjust the position of the sash in the future yourself.
This problem is one of the most common and brings significant discomfort.
The loosening of the handle is quick. Of the tools, you only need a Phillips screwdriver.
Between the handle and the sash panel there is a vertical plastic cover - a plug. It needs to be turned to a horizontal position, you will see two screws. Turn the screwdriver clockwise to tighten the screws.
They should be twisted tightly, but no frills.
Check - the handle should start working normally without dangling. Return the plug to its original position.
If the malfunction persists, there is a high probability that an almost imperceptible crack has gone into the plastic of the handle. This is the reason to buy a new handle for the balcony door.
If the doorknob is not loose, but is tight or unclear, try lubricating the door mechanisms with WD lubricant.
When conducting correct adjustment, the door to the balcony will serve for many more years.
The owners of houses and apartments increasingly prefer to install plastic doors on the balcony. This is not surprising, because they have a modern and pleasant look, retain heat well and do not let in street noises.
People who have installed such doors sooner or later face the problem of exploitation. Even reliable and expensive plastic structures installed by professionals need adjustment.
It is not always possible to seek help from specialists. Therefore, you have to solve the problem yourself. This article will help you with this, it describes the main breakdowns and how to fix them.
As a rule, a breakdown occurs due to a violation of the position of the door leaf. The reason for this is the frequent use of the door. Over time, moving parts gradually wear out and need to be adjusted. But before adjusting the plastic door, it is necessary to determine the cause of the breakdown.
Major malfunctions:
Today nobody is surprised with PVC - constructions. They replaced long ago wooden windows and doors in living quarters. But not many people know that any plastic structures need timely adjustment and preventive maintenance. These works are not complicated, so it's easy to do them yourself.
Required tools
When starting self-adjustment, arm yourself necessary tool for "reanimation" of the balcony door.
You will need:
Vertical door adjustment
With the help of vertical adjustment, the door height is changed in relation to door frame... A sign of a malfunction is the grazing of the canvas over the edge of the threshold, a large force when opening, the appearance of dents on the upper and lower seals.
The adjusting screw located at the top of the hinge will help to correct the situation. A hexagon is used to adjust the position of the door. If the screw is turned clockwise, the door will rise, and if turned in the opposite direction, it will lower.
Horizontal door adjustment
In this case, the side clearance of the door leaf is set. To gain access to the adjustment mechanism, remove the plastic cover. There is a screw at the bottom of the hinge that helps to move the door to the left or right.
It is enough to make a few turns and the door will take its usual position. After setting the hinges, the hooks in the lock area are removed. When the canvas touches the threshold, the upper and middle hinges are adjusted.
Pressure adjustment
It is called frontal adjustment - it allows you to set the required tightness of the door to the frame. Special eccentrics located in the lateral part are responsible for the downforce: at the bottom, in the center and at the top.
The setting principle is the same for all door models. It consists in the following: it is necessary to move the eccentrics closer to the door sealing gum. This is done with a hex or star screwdriver. If you turn it counterclockwise, the eccentrics will move closer to the elastic, and the clamp will become stronger.
To check the tightness of the door leaf to the frame, use a regular thin sheet. You can take a piece of A4 paper. The sheet is inserted between the sash and the edge of the frame. Then the door is closed and the paper is pulled out. If the pressure is good, the sheet is pulled out with difficulty.
However, it is not always possible to solve the problem by adjusting only the screws. If they are configured correctly, but the door still does not close well, then you will have to use another method. It consists in correcting the geometry of the door leaf.
To align the door, remove the glass unit. To do this, with all care, using a chisel, you need to pull out the glazing beads that support the glass. Correction of geometry is done using pre-prepared spacers. They need to be inserted between the plastic edging and the glass unit in certain places. If done correctly, the door geometry will be flat. After finishing work, each glazing bead is carefully installed in its original place with a rubber hammer.
The lock on plastic doors is the least hassle. But he also needs to be monitored periodically. It happens that the handle is turned with effort or not completely. This is mainly due to the uneven position of the door leaf. After the manipulations described above, the malfunction is eliminated by itself. Otherwise, you will have to change the lock.
Handle adjustment
The handle may become loose over time. To fix this, rotate it ninety degrees. You will see some screws. Tighten them with a screwdriver and the handle will stop loose.
Proper care of a plastic balcony door will allow you to operate it for many years without frequent adjustments. To do this, carry out timely preventive work.
The faults described are not complex. The problem with adjusting plastic balcony doors is easy to solve with your own hands without the help of specialists. Timely and proper care will help to avoid such troubles. Apply these simple tips and then warmth and comfort will constantly reign in your room.
To prevent drafts and changes in temperature inside the room, a balcony latch is placed on the balcony door, which helps prevent outside air from entering the living space. Indeed, outside, most often, it is much colder or hotter than the optimal room temperature. There are several types of latches, they differ both in the principle of operation and in the materials from which they are made. Installation does not require special knowledge and skills, but the easiest way is to install a magnetic latch.
There are two types of door latches - mechanical and magnetic, and various modifications have not been invented. The most common and successful performances will now be discussed.
An excellent option, since a balcony latch of this type has all the possible advantages: the maximum possible noiselessness in operation, ease of installation and operation, a much longer service life, unlike other types of this hardware. The action of a magnetic latch is based on the adhesion of a metal plate attached to the door to a strong magnet attached to the jamb of the doorway.
When the parts of the mechanism come together, the door itself is attracted and tightly closed, while there is no need to create additional force, as with mechanical types of locks. True, there is a small drawback in that it is impossible to adjust the strength of the magnetic door hitch, sometimes it is not enough, which is easy to fix by installing another magnetic latch.
Magnetic latch is very easy to install
There are different types, first of all, this is a division into plastic and metal, as well as roller, ball, file and so on.
The plastic ones are the cheapest, but they also show themselves the worst in operation, they have a short service life, jamming is possible or, on the contrary, most often, the weakness of the coupling.
Roller, metal is a more reliable option, they all consist of the same two parts, a fixing plate and a movable roller that rotates on its axis and is fixed in the plate. Of the mechanical options, it is optimal, it has the ability to slightly adjust the rigidity of the hitch, while being more durable than other types of mechanical locks. Ball, differ from roller ones in that the ball is most often less fixed in its grooves and therefore its service life is shorter.
Fala latches are distinguished by the most reliable fixation, no wind will open such a latch, it is advisable to use it in wooden balcony doors. When used on plastic doors, it is worth considering that you will also have to make a through handle.
A mechanical latch is the safest option
It is advisable to install any latches in the immediate vicinity of the height of the door handle, since then you will not have to resort to additional pressure on the door in the place where the holder is installed.
Plastic doors are usually already supplied with a latch and therefore, when installing / buying a door, immediately choose the desired balcony latch.
If there is already a door, then installation is also not difficult:
If the old hardware fails, you will have to dismantle it and install a new one according to the plan.
The installation of magnetic locks is simpler, they do not need special accuracy as for mechanical locks, since the plate in any case will be attracted to the magnet, however, with a completely ugly installation, the magnet will attract much worse.
Latch to the balcony mechanical principle action requires an exact match between the locking plate and the hitch mechanism itself. It is also worth noting that the reliability of a mechanical latch is much greater than that of a magnetic one. When installing such a latch on a plastic door, certain difficulties may arise. Also, when fastening, you should pay attention to the screws used - they should not protrude from their nests, as this will lead to jamming and the inability to use the door in normal mode.
When installing fittings on wooden bases, there are some differences:
When installing magnetic locks on wooden doors, it makes no difference what will be on the door, magnet or plate, it all depends on the desire of the master and the specific situation.
For the comfort of using any kind and type of mechanisms, it is imperative to install the so-called smoker's handle on the outer side of the door, so that it is convenient to close the door behind you and open it. A very handy thing! Just a piece of plastic and a couple of self-tapping screws, and so many pluses.
It is important to choose and install the latch on the balcony correctly
Basically, this paragraph refers to mechanical types of latches. So often you have to tighten the spring on roller or ball mechanisms. If the door is bevelled or sagged in mechanical devices, you will have to turn the fixing plate, otherwise the ball or roller will not be able to enter its groove.
In order to enhance the action of the mechanical mechanism, you will have to pull it out of the door, unscrew the spring fastening nut on back side... Then, either pulling out the spring, stretch it slightly, or put a nut or washer under it suitable size... Then screw the plug back into place. Often there are mechanisms without a fastening nut, but with slots on the sides of the spring. In this case, you will have to compress the spring with a screwdriver, and put a nut or washer under its base.
Magnetic latches do not require repair, the only failure may be damage to the magnet or its demagnetization, but in these cases you will have to change the latch.
