Accessories For Plastic Doors, As Well As What You Need To Consider When Choosing Fittings, And How To Repair It

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Features of hardware for plastic doors

Plastic doors are installed in residential premises, shops and warehouses. And all because they have a lot of advantages, in particular, the ability to ensure tightness, which means that heat leakage will be excluded, and noise will not enter the living space. But during installation, you need to choose the right fittings for plastic doors in order to ensure these functional properties.

Content

• 1 What is hardware for plastic doors
• 2 What you need to consider when choosing accessories

• 3 Latch for plastic doors

  3.1 Video: installing a latch on a plastic door

• 4 Retainers and their varieties

• 5 Closer on a plastic door

  5.1 Video: instructions for installing a door closer on a plastic door

• 6 Handles and their types

• 7 Locks for plastic doors

  7.1 Video: how to choose locks and latches for plastic doors

• 8 Repair of fittings

  8.1 Video: adjusting the lower loop with your own hands

What is hardware for plastic doors

Door fittings include:

• pens;
• locks;
• keys;
• crossbars;
• loops;
• closers, etc.

And plastic doors also have all these components. Each detail fulfills its function, which means that every plastic door should have it.

Plastic doors require the use of special hardware

In general, the hardware is a complex structure, consisting of a large number of different mechanisms that ensure the functioning of the door. The principle of operation of the integral system of fittings is to transfer traction from the door handle to each pressure point and locking mechanisms, that is, with one movement of the hand, the door can be closed or opened.

Each detail fulfills its function:

1. Loops. They are responsible for the strength of the structure. It is they who withstand the bulk of the doors, which is at least 50 kg. It is because of this that the loops quickly fail, which means they require seasonal prevention. In particular, lubricate them once a year.

   

   The hinges must support the weight of the sash
2. Magnets. This part allows the doors to be closed from the outside. The relevance of this detail is very noticeable when installing a balcony door. The door can be closed with one movement of the hand, from either side, but it will not open on its own, even if a strong wind blows.

3. Push door handles. This element of the fittings is the most mobile and also undergoes significant loads. For a plastic door, a single or double-sided handle of a similar type is used.

   

   Lever handles can be single or double sided

4. Comb. A special element that is only used in plastic doors. This is a kind of lock that allows you to fix the position of the door in a semi-closed state. The comb has special recesses, thanks to which you can independently adjust the degree of opening of the door, and children will never be able to open it completely to go out onto the balcony.

   

   The comb will not let the child go through the open door

5. Seals. They provide the required tightness.

   

   The seal provides the required level of tightness

6. Closer. It provides a smooth closing of doors, which is sometimes very necessary, for example, when your hands are busy and it is impossible to close the door without a pop. The closer can be bottom, top and hidden.

   

   The closer will not let the door slam shut

7. Locking mechanisms. They allow you to fix the position of the door. They are placed between the door leaf and its lower edge. This element is present exclusively in plastic doors. The door is directly fixed in a certain position due to the presence of a spring.

Fittings for a plastic door ensure high-quality functioning of the door leaf, which differs from the performance of a wooden or metal door.

Things to consider when choosing components

A modern plastic door must meet certain requirements, in particular, it must have anti-burglary protection, withstand significant loads, be stable and easy to maintain. All this is possible only if you choose high quality fittings.

In the process of choosing fittings, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

• the mass of the door leaf (the larger it is, the more reliable you need to choose the hinges);
• way of opening the door (some models of plastic doors can be opened for ventilation by the type of window, for which a special mechanism needs to be built in);
• the ability to adjust mechanisms, since the functionality of the door depends on this;
• manufacturer, it is better to trust trusted names and buy accessories in specialized stores.

Latch for plastic doors

The latch for the plastic door serves as a kind of latch. Thanks to this detail, the door can be kept not only fully closed, but also covered. By the method of fixing, the latches are divided into:

1. Roller. This design is the simplest. It includes a metal case with a groove and a ball. The principle of the system is quite simple. Under the pressure of the spring, which occurs when the door is closed, the ball falls into the metal body, due to which the fixation occurs. To open the same door, you need to make much more effort than opening a conventional door.

   

   When closing, the roller enters a special groove in the frame

2. Magnetic. Consists of two magnetic plates. While the door is slightly open, these two plates are attracted to each other, and when closed, they securely fix the door in this position.

   

   The magnetic latch is very easy to install

3. Faley retainer. Its structure resembles a roller latch, but instead of a ball it is equipped with a sheared cylinder. To close the door, just push it, but to open it, you need to press a special handle, which is usually sold complete with a lock.

   

   The latch has a special cylinder for fixing

You can install the latches with your own hands. This will be needed if the old mechanism becomes unusable and needs to be replaced.

The installation of a magnetic latch for a plastic door should be started only after the installation location and the mechanism itself have been selected. For installation you need:

1. Make a suitable hole in the door leaf, into which you need to screw a self-tapping screw. He will hold the magnetic latch plate on himself.

   

   You can attach magnetic plates with self-tapping screws

2. Do the same on the door frame. A metal case is attached here, which also has a magnet inside it. You need to install these parts at the same level.

   

   Place two magnetic plates on the same level

To install a mechanical latch you need:

1. Remove the door handle from the outside.
2. Screw in a self-tapping screw on the side. This should be done at the level of the handle. The self-tapping screw must be long, at least 3 cm.

3. Put the cylindrical part of the latch onto the self-tapping screw. Make sure that the screw is screwed in as tightly as possible.

   

   Try not to twist the self-tapping screws, otherwise damage the door leaf

4. Close the door a little, mark the installation of the lock on the door frame. After that, install the latch body, which looks like two plates that are attached to both sides of the frame. You also need to fix this part with a self-tapping screw. Make sure that the screw is not twisted.
5. Check the parts of the latch, they must match.

Video: installing a latch on a plastic door

Retainers and their varieties

To fix the position of the door, the following can be used:

• latches;

  

  Espagnolettes have a simple design

• door handle locks;

  

  A lock may be hidden in the door handle

• special handles for fixing.

Each of these types of fixation has advantages and disadvantages.

Espagnolette is a device that is attached to the outside of the door. After the door closes, the latch must be pressed and the mechanism latched. This design is quite simple, but at the same time quite reliable and durable, which ensures the door is sealed. The espagnolette can serve for a long period of time. But this design also has disadvantages:

• unaesthetic;
• inability to use if hands are busy;
• incompatibility of structural parts in the event of a skewed sash, which will not make it possible to fix the door in the closed position.

The lock in the door handle is rarely used when arranging a plastic door. An exception is the entrance doors to a private house, this allows you to protect your home from burglary.

The locking handle is not a complete locking device

The locking handle is not used as a full-fledged lock, but rather as an additional one, helping to press the door leaves so that other latches or latches work. It can be equipped with so-called child protection, that is, a child cannot open such a door on his own.

Closer on a plastic door

The door closer ensures smooth closing of the door, eliminating this process of noise. This is especially true in those rooms where drafts are frequent. Despite the apparent complexity of the design, the structure of the closer is quite simple. This element consists of a body with a spring system. It is they who are responsible for the smooth closing of the door.

There is a spring inside the closer

The principle of operation is as follows:

1. The design has a lever in which a gear is located. It is located on the axis. When the door is opened, the gear turns and the spring is compressed.

2. After the impact on the door stops, the spring begins to gradually return to its original position. At the same time, she pushes the piston, which drives the gear, and she, in turn, the lever, which closes the door, and does it smoothly.

   

   The door closing speed can be adjusted if desired

For a plastic door, you need to choose the right type of door closer, taking into account the weight of the door, the design of the system, and financial capabilities. It is worth following the following rules:

• each closer is able to withstand a certain load, while it is better to focus on maximum performance;
• you need to be sure that there is room in your home for installing a door with a closer;
• the dimensions of the door closer should be correlated with the dimensions of the door;
• in the event that a plastic door will be used as an entrance to a private house, it makes sense to purchase a structure that tolerates low air temperatures well.

If you wish, you can install a door closer on a plastic door yourself. For this you need:

1. Determine which way the door opens. It depends on this which part of the closer to attach to the frame and canvas. In the event that the door opens in the same direction as the closer itself, then the device itself must be attached to the frame, and the lever must be attached to the door leaf. Otherwise, the installation is exactly the opposite.

   

   It is very important to install the closer on the right side.

2. Fix all parts in the right places. For fastening, you can use special screws, which usually come with the closer itself. Fastening must be done in such a way that the screws point towards the hinges.
3. Check the functionality of the structure, if necessary, make adjustments.

Video: instructions for installing a door closer on a plastic door

Handles and their types

Without handles, doors will not function properly. This applies to all doors, including plastic ones. In this case, you have the opportunity to select an element of one of three types:

• stationary - a handle without any mechanisms, which does not lock the door (when arranging a plastic door, it is used extremely rarely);

  

  Stationary handles support door opening

• push - have a simple mechanism, help to lock the door by the presence of the so-called tongue, which goes into the hole in the canvas;

  

  Lever handles can be equipped with a latch or roller latch mechanism

• rotary - open the doors by turning the handle, allow the doors to be set in ventilation mode (can be equipped with a lock).

Handles for plastic doors differ in other parameters:

• opening method: one- and two-sided (in the second case, the door can be opened both from the outside and from the inside);
• mounting method: mortise and overhead.

Handles can be made from different materials:

1. Plastic. This material is used most often. Such a handle is capable of withstanding any stress. This makes them more reliable than metal ones. However, plastic handles are more readily available.
2. Metal. As a rule, light metals are used for handles on plastic doors, for example, aluminum or alloys with brass or steel. At the same time, it is the anodized aluminum alloy that retains all the strength qualities of other metals, but remains light.

Sometimes it makes sense to choose a more expensive handle made of quality material than a more beautiful, but less durable, because it will have to be changed often.

Locks for plastic doors

For a plastic door, you need to choose a lock for this particular type of door. Others, designed for installation on wooden or metal doors, you will not be able to cut in without damaging the canvas itself. There are several classifications of locks for plastic doors:

1. Depending on the points of constipation: single and multi-point. The first option is not able to provide reliable protection for your home, since there will be no tight fit of the door to the frame. This happens due to the fact that a single-point lock presses the door only in the place of the lock. That is why it is recommended to choose a multi-point lock, which is a whole system of locks. This system consists of latches and a tire, which drives the entire system.

   

   The multi-point lock has several locking parts

2. Depending on the material of manufacture: metal and partially plastic. The first is the most common due to its increased strength and improved consumer qualities.
3. Depending on the type of locking mechanism: latch, roller mechanism or deadbolt. Combinations are also possible in the case of a multi-point lock.

Multi-point locks have their own classification. There are locks with a drive:

• from the handle;
• from the cylinder.

The operation of the first option is based on the following principle: when turning, the trunnions go into the corresponding holes and are pressed against the box. When the key moves, the bolt is extended, the lock is locked. The second version of the lock involves the simultaneous entry of the pins into the planks and the movement of the bolt.

There is another classification:

• lever locks are equipped with steel plates that move after turning the key;

  

  Lever lock locks the door with metal plates

• cylinder cylinders have a larva and shifters in the design, which line up in a certain combination when the key is turned.

  

  Cylinder lock is easy to break

Lever locks are considered more reliable than cylinder locks.

Video: how to choose locks and latches for plastic doors

Repair of fittings

When using a plastic door, various problems can arise, for example, with a mechanical latch. The most common are:

1. The latch does not fix the position of the door. To eliminate this problem, it is recommended to add several metal washers under the cylinder. In the event that the latch still functions correctly, but the door is easily opened by the wind, you should install another latch.
2. Tight retainer, which makes the door difficult to close. The problem can be solved by lubricating the mechanism with oil.

Problems can arise with other plastic door fittings, there may be several reasons:

• physical deterioration;
• incorrect installation of fittings;
• inconsistency in the assembly technology of PVC door leaves.

This could result in:

1. Sagging door. You can solve this problem by adjusting the loops. This should be done as follows:

   1. Mark the place where the sash touches the frame.
   2. After that, move the sash to the side opposite to this place. For example, if the sash touches the frame in the lower right corner, then the sash must be moved up or to the left.
   3. Insert a hex wrench into the slot of the upper hinge screw and move it clockwise. This must be done until the loop is pressed.

   4. Do the same with the bottom loop.

      

      Hinge adjustment can be vertical and horizontal

2. Violation of tightness due to deterioration of the properties of the insulation. Replacing it is very easy. For replacement, you need to purchase a seal similar to the deteriorated one. Using the tools at hand, remove the old seal from the groove, and then insert a new one. Make sure that it is not too tight. It is recommended to additionally fix the seal with rubberized glue.

   

   The seal needs to be changed periodically.

3. Inability to open and close the door. This problem is associated with a malfunction of the handle. She can either move very tightly, or not completely turn. To solve the problem, you need to make the so-called horizontal adjustment of the hinges. If the connection of the handle with the core is broken, it is necessary to dismantle all removable parts and check the reliability of the fastening of the pin, which connects the handle and the core. If necessary, for example, if its integrity is broken, the pin must be replaced. Sometimes it is also necessary to replace the entire handle if the problem cannot be solved by replacing the pin.

Video: adjusting the lower loop with your own hands

Hardware is a very important system of a plastic door, since its correct functioning is impossible without it. Therefore, you should not save on these elements, because then you will have to spend money on repairs or their replacement.