Plastic Doors: Varieties, Device, Components, Installation And Operation Features

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

All about plastic doors

Plastic doors have recently appeared in construction practice. However, it quickly gained popularity among consumers. This is due to a number of positive characteristics. Fast and easy installation is combined with stylish design and long service life. A door made of synthetic materials withstands well the effects of adverse factors, especially humidity and changes in air temperatures. The weight of the leaf is relatively small, which compares favorably with other types of doors during transportation and storage. In a collapsible form, the structure does not take up much space, and in the assembled state it meets all the necessary parameters for the doorway.

Content

• 1 The device of plastic doors

  • 1.1 Threshold of a plastic door
  • 1.2 Advantages and disadvantages

• 2 In which rooms can plastic doors be installed

  2.1 Photo gallery: where you can use plastic doors

• 3 Design variations

  • 3.1 Plastic blind door
  • 3.2 External doors

  • 3.3 Sliding structures

    3.3.1 Video: sliding doors

  • 3.4 PVC doors

    3.4.1 Video: Comparison of Laminated Doors and PVC

  • 3.5 Balcony door

    3.5.1 Video: installing a balcony block

  • 3.6 Interior plastic door
• 4 Manufacturing of plastic doors

• 5 Installation features

  5.1 Video: self-installation of a plastic door

• 6 Repair and restoration

  • 6.1 Cracks in the glass

  • 6.2 Repair of the castle

    6.2.1 Video: installing a lock on a plastic door

  • 6.3 Fittings

    6.3.1 Video: Adjusting the balcony door hardware

• 7 Caring for plastic doors

• 8 Accessories for plastic doors

  8.1 Video: Installation of Roto fittings

Arrangement of plastic doors

The fundamental difference between this type of door lies in the materials from which they are made. If earlier it was possible to find doors, the sheet of which is made of low-grade plastic, today competition has completely pushed them out of the market. In the production of PVC doors, high-quality polymer compounds are used for thermal and sound insulation of a room. The frame is a metal profile made of rectangular pipes. This allows the structure to withstand large mechanical loads and is not inferior in strength to other types of doors. The corner joints are reinforced with additional metal brackets. This adds strength to the structure without adding weight.

The structure of a plastic door includes numerous elements of metal, glass and plastic

There are models (mainly entrance and external doors), reinforced with metal sheets throughout the sash.

Measures to increase the reliability of a plastic door apply to all functional elements - frame, sash, locks and hinges

In addition to the frame and leaf, plastic doors have standard elements:

• locks and handles;
• rubber seals for adhesion of the web to the frame;
• closers;
• hinges and latches.

Plastic door threshold

Separately, it must be said about the threshold of the plastic door. It is of three types:

• frame threshold, which is part of the door frame; often covered with plastic and always rigidly connected to the frame;

  

  Threshold of a plastic door of a frame type, installed together with a frame

• reinforced steel threshold, used mainly for external doors; it is highly durable and prevents breaking;

  

  Steel threshold is designed to protect the doorway from penetration from the bottom end

• aluminum threshold is used in interior doors, it can be both insulated (with internal cameras) and "cold".

  

  In interior doors, mainly "cold" aluminum is used, entrance doors are equipped with a "warm" threshold

Advantages and disadvantages

Experts point out the following advantages of plastic doors compared to wooden or metal doors:

• high resistance to corrosion and biological destruction (rust, fungus, mold);
• the design not only reflects, but also dampens sound waves, creating a stable barrier in the path of noise;
• multi-chamber device helps to maintain low thermal conductivity of the door leaf and frame;
• universal suspension options, with which you can regulate ventilation in the room;
• space for design solutions - doors can be of any size, color and shape;
• ease of maintenance and hygiene, thanks to which plastic doors are applicable in hospitals, schools, kindergartens;
• competitive price.

The disadvantage of a plastic door is considered to be unstable to high temperatures during a fire. And also the need to adjust the adherence of the web to the frame twice a year. This is due to seasonal fluctuations in humidity and ambient temperature.

In which rooms can plastic doors be installed

Since the developers of metal-plastic doors are guided by regulatory construction documents, the range of their application is very wide. Such doors satisfy almost any requirement, except for fire protection. They are applicable for various premises and purposes. But in some places they are completely irreplaceable. First of all, these are rooms with high humidity:

• bathrooms;
• toilets;
• swimming pools;
• kitchens;
• balconies and loggias;
• winter gardens and terraces;
• basements;
• boiler rooms;
• garages.

Wherever it is necessary to maintain a stable temperature and humidity, plastic doors will be appropriate. The factor of hygiene of such a doorway is also important. The canvas and frame, coated on the outside with a polymer composition, are immune to the chemical attack of household and industrial substances. They can be easily cleaned with ordinary detergents.

Photo gallery: where you can use plastic doors

Plastic doors are successfully used for baths and toilets

The front door serves as a reliable protection of the house from intrusion

Sliding plastic doors are used in places with wide aisles

High-quality PVC doors are installed with balcony glazing

In addition, the vast majority of doors of this type are made to order according to individual parameters. This means that the manufacturer is able to give the product any shape, color and size. The most daring design decisions are embodied not at the expense of strength and reliability. The exterior finish imitates any material - wood, metal, fabric, etc. The door leaf inlay is very popular - it gives the relief of the sash surface. The colors are matched to the wallpaper, floor or other interior elements.

Their shape can be classic rectangular or arched, in the medieval style.

An arched plastic door creates an original style in the house

Varieties of construction

In addition to aesthetic delights, it is necessary to understand the design features of plastic doors. This will make it possible to make the right choice when solving specific practical problems.

By design, plastic doors are divided into several types:

• swing doors, where the doors are opened and closed by turning the sash around a fixed axis;

  

  The most common, traditional type of door that is used everywhere

• pendulum doors, the doors of which open in both directions;

  

  The ability of pendulum doors to allow a large number of people to pass in different directions is used in subways, stadiums, schools, etc.

• carousel, rotating in a circle;

  

  Revolving doors are installed at the entrance to shops, hotels and administrative centers

• sliding, when the sashes move in one plane, opening and closing the opening;

  

  Recommended for use in doorways with long sidewalls

• retractable - there are two types: external and cassette, in which the canvas goes inside the wall or "cassette";

  

  The movement of the sliding door leaves is carried out by rolling them along the guides installed in the opening

• lever - used in garages, warehouses, hangars;

  

  Depending on the dimensions of the door leaf, both manual and mechanized opening methods are used.

• folding doors-accordion (or "book").

  

  One of the disadvantages of book doors is the partial overlap of the doorway after folding the leaves.

According to the materials used, there are various combinations and combinations of plastic with glass, aluminum and steel inserts. Most of the designs include a metal frame, locking mechanisms, aluminum alloy fittings. As well as viewing or display glasses. The decorative finish consists mainly of dyes or decorative lamination.

By purpose, the doors are divided into:

• interroom;
• balcony;
• input.

In essence, a balcony door is the same front door, but there are differences. Its design is less protected from burglary, more attention is paid to the function of room ventilation. With the help of special fittings, the balcony structure can be in a fixed, slightly open position, in which controlled ventilation occurs.

In ventilation mode, the balcony door is fixed in a slightly open position

Plastic blind door

A distinctive feature is the canvas filled with opaque material. The most common option is sandwich panels consisting of plastic with internal cavities. Depending on the purpose of the doors, cavities can be filled with thermal insulation materials or remain airy.

External doors are often insulated, interior doors do not need it. They are very popular for equipping bathrooms in residential buildings. They combine high hygienic characteristics (second only to glass doors) with an affordable price. The only drawback is that they are produced mainly in white and require improvement in this regard. But if you wish, you can always cover the canvas with a laminated film with the desired texture.

A sample of a blind plastic door used to enter service premises

External doors

This type of door is designed to protect the residential area from unauthorized entry by intruders, as well as prevent the house from cooling through the entrance opening. The design contains thermal insulation elements. First of all - a multi-chamber metal-plastic profile. Thanks to its structure and the use of "warm" aluminum, the door reliably protects the house from heat loss.

When choosing an external door, you should carefully read the technical documentation of the product. In terms of security functions, experts recommend adhering to the following technical parameters:

• it is more advisable to choose a frame with a metal frame around the entire perimeter, including the threshold; the wall thickness of the profile (preferably 5-chamber) starts from 3 mm, in the corners - connecting corners made of reinforced metal;
• the sash consists of a profile similar to the frame. The interweaving of horizontal and vertical profiles will give the structure additional reliability. A metal reinforcement in the form of several sheets (thickness from 3 to 12 mm), plus a grid welded from rectangular pipes inside the sheet;
• the lock is selected solely for security reasons; the best option is to lock the sash around the entire perimeter. Crossbars are made of durable steel;
• the hinges must correspond to the increased safety class - a mechanism is installed in the structure that prevents the door from being removed; multilayer suspension structure;
• tightness is ensured by rubber seals; in a high-quality door, seals are installed not only along the perimeter of the frame, but also along the inner contour of the sash;
• a double-glazed window is preferable with armored (tempered) or multi-layer (triplex system) glazing; glass area should be up to 25-30%.

One of the options for strengthening the entrance door with steel protective structures

Sliding structures

Doors with a sliding mechanism are externally a sash that moves along guides. Classic frame, no hinges or locks. It is very convenient in those rooms where space saving is required. The same doors, only made of wood or plywood, are often used in the furniture industry for wardrobes.

Sliding door fittings must be selected with particular care. It differs from conventional fittings and consists of other component parts. Suspended rocker system is mounted in the wall above the doorway and on the floor. Perhaps the only drawback of this design is the inability to install it anywhere. This requires a wide corridor or additional space along the wall for free movement of the canvas.

The suspension of sliding door leaves is mounted above the doorway and requires experience and qualifications from the installer

The advantages of sliding doors include:

• saving space;
• convenience and ease of use;
• the ability to vary the number of valves;
• maximum disclosure of the throughput of the doorway;
• sliding doors are much more difficult to break.

Video: sliding doors

PVC doors

The main difference between PVC doors is the increased quality level. Polyvinyl chloride has properties that are indispensable for all types of doors. These include:

• resistance to mechanical damage, scratches, chips, cracks;
• absolute moisture resistance;
• during operation require minimal maintenance;
• do not delaminate, do not deform under the influence of weather conditions and UV radiation;
• long service life;
• excellent sound insulation performance;
• high level of sealing when closed;
• the ability to retain heat at large temperature drops.

The only negative is instability to high temperatures. Melts, does not support combustion

There are self-extinguishing types of PVC.

A variety of decorative PVC doors will satisfy the most demanding customer

Video: comparison of laminated doors and PVC

Balcony door

Plastic doors are widely used for glazing balconies. Where windows are installed, it is customary to install PVC doors. There is no point in repeating and listing their advantages over wooden doors. You can only notice that plastic since the beginning of the XXI century has made literally revolutionary changes in planning and interior design. The only real competitor of PVC doors in this market segment is glass doors on an aluminum frame. But their price is much higher, and the tightness and energy-saving qualities are sometimes lower.

Changes in the color of the balcony door can be achieved with a laminate of any color and texture.

The installation of the balcony door is carried out by specialized organizations that install plastic windows. But if you have the necessary tool, you can do this operation yourself.

Video: installing a balcony block

Interior plastic door

When buying an interior door, the consumer needs to familiarize himself with the complete set of the product. The standard equipment of a quality product includes:

• metal-plastic profile, at least two-chamber (thickness from 70 mm);
• door hinges designed for door leaf weight from 80 kg;
• rack and pinion locks with a 5-point locking mechanism;
• single-chamber double-glazed window or sandwich panel of identical thickness (if the door is blind).

This is a necessary set of technical parameters at which the door will serve for a long time and properly. A deviation towards a decrease in the main technical indicators is fraught with a quick breakdown of the door and a reduction in its service life.

It is also worth asking the seller what strength class the door belongs to. According to the ability to resist static and dynamic loads, door structures are divided into three classes:

• class B (low strength);
• class B (medium strength);
• class A (maximum strength).

Manufacturing of plastic doors

Making plastic doors is a complex technological process that cannot be repeated at home. Plants for the production of PVC doors and windows are equipped with high-precision equipment, robotic machines and quality control laboratories.

The main obstacle to handicraft production is the production of a metal-plastic profile, consisting of an aluminum base and a PVC layer fused over it. But even if there is a ready-made profile, it is not possible to assemble it into a monolithic structure in a garage or home workshop. In addition, the door, if it is not a blind option, includes a double-glazed window or a sandwich panel. Their manufacture presupposes the presence of complex compressor equipment and a device for extruding polymers.

Polymer extrusion equipment needs spacious rooms and cannot be used in home workshops

Even large manufacturers of this type of product have limitations related to the dimensions of doors and windows. So, for PVC entrance doors, the maximum and minimum parameters are adopted:

• the maximum permissible door leaf dimensions are 940x2140 mm;
• the minimum permissible sash height is 900 mm;
• the minimum permissible width of the door leaf is 340 mm;
• the minimum permissible height of a door leaf with a five-point lock is 1870 mm (1970 mm in a two-leaf version);
• the manufacturer's warranty does not apply to products of non-rectangular configuration;
• in bevelled impost minimum allowable cutting angle does not exceed 45 ^to C;
• the maximum permissible length of the side of the trapezoid should not exceed 2010 mm.

The list goes on and on, each plant has its own limit parameters for products. This is due not only to limited production capabilities, but also to the laws of strength and resistance of materials. In order to give a guarantee, it is necessary to comply with the constructive norms.

Installation features

In general, the stages of installing plastic products are no different from the procedure for installing ordinary doors. But there are several nuances:

1. At the preparatory stage, it is necessary to clean the doorway around the entire perimeter, including the floor. If a wooden or metal structure often does not have a threshold, then in a plastic door this is an integral part. The floor covering is properly fixed as the underside of the frame is attached to it. The contact of the threshold with the floor must be rigid, no backlash is allowed. This condition is directly related to the function of the tightness of the fit of the sash to the door frame. If a gap appears during operation, the tightness will be broken. It should be borne in mind that the threshold is subject to constant loads. When passing through the door, people can step on the frame, and if the threshold is not reinforced, sooner or later this will lead to its deformation.

   

   Preparation of the doorway for the installation of plastic doors is carried out along the entire perimeter, including the floor covering

2. When installing doors with double-glazed windows, the structure is disassembled. The glass part is removed and assembled as usual. Only after the frame is fully fixed and the door leaf is adjusted, the glazing returns to its place, fixed with glazing beads around the perimeter. As a rule, the transportation of the product to the installation site is carried out assembled - this way there is less risk of mechanical damage. Therefore, the installers dismantle the door before starting work, and then assemble it again.

   

   The installation of fittings is carried out after the installation of the sash and glass unit

3. In order to avoid damage, scratches and chips, the protective film is removed from the door surface last, after finishing the slopes and sealing the joints with the wall.

4. At the end of the installation, a control adjustment of the door leaf stroke is carried out. Depending on the season, a winter or summer mode of adhesion of the canvas to the frame is established. To do this, use the adjusting screws located on the hinges. They move the sash in three directions - in height, width and degree of fit.

   

   Schemes for adjusting plastic doors of various modifications

Video: self-installation of a plastic door

youtube.com/watch?v=7v83KsAV3i8

Renovation and restoration

During the operation of the doors, breakdowns and failure of individual devices occur. It is not always possible and necessary to contact specialists. Some defects can be eliminated on your own, without assistance. Most often you have to deal with the following phenomena:

• cracked glass in a glass unit;
• failure of the door lock;
• malfunctions of fittings.

Cracked glass

The reason for the appearance of cracks on the glass is often violations of operating standards. This is either mechanical damage or the result of a large temperature drop. Some unlucky users have heaters in the immediate vicinity of the glass unit. As a result, the temperature difference and the door inside the room reaches a critical value (approximately 90 ^to C) and the glass breaks.

In this situation, one cannot do without replacing the glass unit. It is necessary to very carefully remove the damaged glass from the frame by releasing the glazing beads. After that, a new glass unit is mounted in the reverse order. Fortunately, today you can order any size from the factory. The repair cost will not be so high, and it will take no more than two hours to do it.

Abrupt opening of the sash, accompanied by a skewed leaf, can lead to cracks in glass elements

Castle repair

You can also repair the castle yourself. The easiest way is to replace it with a new one. For this, the rotary handle is dismantled, the plastic decorative strip is removed and the fixing screws at the end of the door leaf are unscrewed. Then the device is inspected, if a breakdown is detected, the defect is eliminated. Perhaps the cause of the malfunction was a banal lack of lubrication or blockage.

If you cannot fix the problem on your own, you will have to buy a new lock in the assembly or spare parts for it. Each company producing plastic doors has its own configuration features. Some provide their doors with locks of their own manufacture, while others use third-party products. When replacing, you need to select either parent samples or interchangeable ones.

To repair the lock yourself, you need simple tools: a screwdriver, pliers, a file

Video: installing a lock on a plastic door

Fittings

Fittings include door hinges, rotary or stationary handles, door closers and door peepholes. The main troubles happen with the hinges on which the sash is suspended. Some time after installation and lapping under load, the blade may sag.

To restore the door to normal operation, there is no need to change the hinges or call the master. Using a hex key of the appropriate size (it must be included in the hinge kit) and information from the technical documentation, you can independently adjust the operation of the hinges. To do this, you need to free them from the plastic linings, find the adjusting screws and turn right and left to achieve the normal position of the sash.

It is recommended to adjust the door hinges not only when the door has already sagged, but also preventively, at least 2 times a year.

Video: adjusting the balcony door hardware

Caring for plastic doors

Sellers often assure buyers that once they have spent on the purchase of a plastic door, they can not worry and forget about leaving. Unfortunately, this is just a myth. Plastic doors, like all others, require maintenance. Of course, plastic is less whimsical and capricious, but still he needs regular “water procedures”.

First of all, attention is paid to the glasses, on the cleanliness of which lighting and visibility depend. They are cleaned once a month or as needed. Special detergents are used, but in the absence of these, it is permissible to use ordinary soapy water.

Inexpensive detergents will help keep your door window clean

In addition to glass, drainage channels (entrance, balcony doors) and rubber seals must be cleaned. If a large amount of dirt and debris accumulates in the folds of the seal, it will fail or break very soon. It is recommended to inspect and clean the drains twice a year. If damaged parts are found during the inspection, they must be replaced. You need to be especially careful about the sealing rubber located on the threshold. It is most susceptible to garbage accumulation. It is recommended to clean the thresholds with a vacuum cleaner.

The door fittings also need regular lubrication. Ideally, lubrication is carried out during the maintenance of fittings (door handles, hinges and locks), but at least once a year. In this case, oily fluids recommended by the manufacturer are used. For internal doors, WD-40 is used, external structures are treated with frost-resistant grease.

A multi-purpose grease will help keep the door in good condition at all times

Components for plastic doors

The concept of "maximum complete set" means that the plastic door is equipped with all available options:

• anti-burglary system;
• additional ventilation;
• blocker of the erroneous movement of the sash;
• microlift and many others.

There are more than a hundred names of component devices. And there are many tricks used by unscrupulous sellers to try to sell counterfeit products to gullible consumers.

Companies that are considered the best in the production of components today:

• Aubi is a young but high-tech firm from Germany; invests heavily in the development of new and improvement of known types of door components. It was this company that took the lead in the invention of adjustable hinges;

  

  The company gives a 5-year warranty for all types of locking fittings.

• Roto is a German company that produces really high-quality fittings, the products are reliable and durable. The only company that claims a ten-year warranty. A characteristic external feature of Roto products is a flat tongue on locking mechanisms;

  

  Roto hardware elements used to equip a plastic door are made of durable aluminum alloys

• Maco - a manufacturer of fittings for plastic doors and windows from Austria, specializing in the production of components for hidden structures; the fittings installed inside the frame are not visible, which improves the appearance of the door. In addition, the company produces high quality anti-burglary fittings; the best examples have more than five levels of protection;

  

  Famous Maco locks are reliable and durable

• Winkhaus is a reputable and reliable company from Germany; has been manufacturing components for plastic windows and doors for over 50 years; fittings are simple and easy to adjust.

Video: Installation of Roto fittings

After a careful study of all kinds of plastic doors, making the right choice will not be difficult. If you still have doubts, you should listen to the opinion of experienced installers and craftsmen. Selling organizations are always interested in increasing sales. But construction companies and those who have to deal directly with the installation are always inclined to use only high-quality equipment. After all, in the end, the claims come to them.