Pendulum Doors: Varieties, Accessories, Installation And Operation Features

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

All about pendulum doors

During the construction and planning of residential and office premises, entrance and interior doors are an important interior detail. The functional purpose and appearance of each doorway are thought over. Close attention is paid to the door opening mechanism. As a result, the convenience of use, reliability and service life of the door block depend on this. Pendulum structures as one of the types of swing doors have recently been used in private construction, but quickly won the sympathy of users.

Content

• 1 The device of swing doors

  1.1 Where are swing doors used

• 2 Varieties of swing doors

  2.1 Advantages and disadvantages of swing doors

• 3 Manufacturing of swing doors

  3.1 Video: DIY wooden doors

• 4 Features of the installation and operation of swing doors

  • 4.1 Video: installing a door on bar hinges

  • 4.2 Repair and restoration of swing doors

    • 4.2.1 Video: how to choose a pendulum (bar) loop
    • 4.2.2 Video: installation and adjustment of pendulum hinges
• 5 Accessories for swing doors

Pendulum door arrangement

A distinctive feature of pendulum doors is the door leaf's ability to open in both directions. To pass through the doorway, it is enough to push the sash away from you in the direction of travel, and regardless of the direction in which the person is walking. This is very convenient, for example, if your hands are full of luggage. In addition, no effort is needed to close the doors - the pendulum mechanism is equipped with a built-in door closer, which will automatically return the leaf to its original position.

There is a spring inside the hinges that returns the door to its original position

Externally, a swing door practically does not differ from a conventional swing door. Is that the lack of a traditional door handle and lock (and even then not always). Therefore, in order to understand the essence of the structure of the pendulum door, let us focus on the hinges. It is they who determine the design differences of the pendulum doors. Two types of such loops are recognized:

1. Swinging. Fastened with one lever to the door leaf, the other to the door frame. They are often called "bar" or "salon", because they are most widespread in drinking establishments and are an integral part of the bar style.

   

   Classic bar or pub designs include a swinging front door

2. Floor pendulum hinges. They consist of two elements, one is installed in the floor under the door leaf, and the other in the upper part of the sash. These hinges are used, for example, at the entrances to metro stations, train stations, since the design allows the door to be fixed in a certain position, i.e., if necessary, to lock the passage. Most glass doors have just such a device.

   

   At night, when the metro is not working, the door is locked

The choice of hinges depends on the specific situation and, first of all, on the rate of permeability through the doorway. With a large flow of people in different directions, floor pendulum hinges are used. In case of medium or low traffic, the usual "bar" hinges are installed, which are quite capable of ensuring the stable operation of the door for a long time.

The location of communications in the area of the door block matters. The presence of utility lines in the floor (water supply, electrical cables, etc.) makes it impossible to use floor loops. There are no restrictions of this nature for swinging loops of the "bar" type.

The material for the manufacture of pendulum hinges is stainless steel sheet with a thickness of 1.5 to 4 mm. The thicker the sheet, the greater the load the structure can withstand. Most of the models are designed for canvas weights from 15 to 150 kg. The width of the fastening plates depends on the parameters of the sash end and varies from 40 to 100 mm. The length of the product is selected according to the dimensions of the door, ranging from 75 to 125 mm.

For a variety of appearance, the hinges are coated with powder dyes

Disassembled hinges are two cylindrical rods (pins) and three metal plates (cards). The middle card is solid, without perforation. There are mounting holes on the side plates, three to five on each side. During installation, they are used to fix the hinges on the door leaf and frame. Elastic springs are wound around the pins, which act as a closer and return the sash to its original position.

Where are swing doors used?

Today, Dsk swing doors are used not only in public places with a large flow of pedestrians, shops and hotels. Interior planners and designers skillfully integrate swing doors into residential and office spaces where such a design is appropriate and justified in terms of its functional qualities. For example, pendulum (bar) doors at the entrance to a spacious living room are widespread. A double-sided door to a home gym, a recreation room in an institution, a greenhouse fits in organically. Wherever ventilation and thermal insulation do not play a decisive role, the use of swing doors is justified.

Pendulum glass door to the living room decorates the interior of the apartment

In the convinced opinion of the author of these lines, there is nothing more convenient than a swinging door installed between the kitchen and the dining room. Moving dishes onto the table and bringing in the dishes back simply requires the door to open hands-free. In the house of neighbors, pedigree dwarf rabbits are bred. All doors in rabbit cages are arranged according to the pendulum principle. Animals can move freely from their "hole" to the lawn and back.

Varieties of swing doors

For convenience, in the description, doors are classified according to several characteristic features:

• materials from which the door leaf is made;
• the type of hinges and their adjustment;
• the number of door leaves.

In the first place is the classification according to the material used, since it determines the type and size of the loops:

1. Glass swinging doors. One of the most common types, which has a number of undeniable advantages. Modern glass is an extremely durable and safe material in all respects. High temperature hardening makes the initially brittle amorphous mass resistant to impacts and various mechanical loads, including deformation. Chemical inertness, biological resistance and environmental friendliness make glass the leader among other materials. And if we add fire resistance and the complete absence of corrosion to this list, it becomes clear why glass doors are installed in almost all stores, offices and other public places. The ease of maintenance of such door blocks is also an important factor. With the increase in mass production and healthy competition, the cost of the product is gradually decreasing - the only significant disadvantage faced by the consumer.

   

   Glass doors rank first in terms of safety

2. Metal pendulum doors. Often this is also a glass sheet, "packed" in a metal frame. But there are also all-metal doors made of steel or aluminum. Especially often such models are found in production workshops, in places of emergency evacuation in case of fire. The large mass of such doors predetermines the use of powerful hinged hinges equipped with a locking mechanism. Their aesthetic indicators are lower in comparison with other types of doors. As a rule, these are special-purpose doors.

   

   Metal doors are durable and reliable

3. Pendulum doors made of PVC are the standard modern doorway solution. In a strong frame made of plastic (or metal-plastic) there is a two- or three-chamber glass unit. Convenient, proven and, most importantly, inexpensive model with reliable fittings. Unfortunately, the specificity of PVC door leaf production does not favor a variety of colors and shapes. But, with the exception of the monotonous appearance, it is difficult to attribute anything else to the disadvantages of this type of door.

   

   The huge advantage of PVC doors is an affordable price

4. Wooden pendulum doors. The classic type of doors, the leaf of which is made from wood or wood products. The difference lies only in the opening mechanism, otherwise the swinging door does not differ in any way from the most common wooden swing door. This type has a huge number of subspecies, ranging from solid wood to plywood or MDF. The design of the canvas itself can be either panel or paneled. Accordingly, the price breakdown has a wide range.

   

   Pendulum doors made of wood decorate any interior with their natural look

As for the types of swinging doors in terms of the number of door leaves, everything is simple here. There are two types, examples of which are found everywhere:

• single-leaf pendulum doors;

• double-leaf swing doors.

  

  Double-leaf doors allow you to significantly increase the passage of the doorway

As with all swing doors, hinges are divided into three types:

• right-sided;
• left-sided;

• universal.

  

  To determine the side of the hinge attachment, you need to imagine how to open the door towards yourself

It is imperative to select door sheds with this parameter in mind.

Most often, craftsmen prefer universal hinges, although they are somewhat more expensive

The adjustment parameters of the hinges include the degree of tension of the return spring. The position and speed of door closing depends on this option. And you also need to know that there are suspensions equipped with bearings. In this case, the price of the mechanism is higher, but instead there is smoothness, softness and noiselessness during the movement of the canvas.

Advantages and disadvantages of pendulum doors

Everything is relative. Swing doors are no exception. To obtain complete information, you need to know not only the pros, but also the cons of any product.

The advantages of swing doors:

1. The simplified form of the door frame. This facilitates and speeds up the installation of the door unit.
2. Suspension reliability and its ability to withstand high functional loads. Double hinges generally have a longer service life. This is due to the fact that the load is evenly divided not by one axis of rotation (as in conventional sheds), but by two.
3. The ability to open in any direction.
4. The ability to adjust the speed and force of closing the door.

There are few disadvantages of swing doors:

1. Reduced sound insulation between rooms. This is due to the fact that the gap between the frame and the leaf is larger than in conventional swing doors. In part, this problem is solved by a silicone or PVC seal.
2. The need for free space on both sides of the doorway. An ordinary door requires space only on the side where it opens. But the swinging door opens in all directions, which means it needs space.
3. Relatively high price of the product.

Pendulum door manufacturing

Any master can build a pendulum door on his own at home. To do this, you just need to purchase all the necessary materials and mechanisms. Of course, there are certain limitations. For example, it is impossible to produce a door leaf from materials that require sophisticated equipment (such as glass or PVC). But it is quite possible to make a wooden or metal door.

The easiest way to consider the manufacturing process is using a wooden panel door as an example. For its production, you will need the following tools:

1. Carpentry hand tool set including hammer, pliers, hacksaw, square, ruler, knife, etc.

   

   The more varied the hand tools, the faster the work moves

2. Power tools: drill, hand-held circular saw, jigsaw, screwdriver.

   

   With the circular saw, smooth longitudinal and transverse cuts of wood are made

For a door of a standard size (2x0.8 m), you need to prepare a planed edged board with a thickness of 4–5 cm. The amount of lumber is calculated in accordance with the area of the leaf. In our case, with a size of 2 meters by 80 cm, the sash surface area will be 2 x 0.8 = 1.6 m ². This means that to make a canvas of this size, you need 8 boards 2 m long and 10 cm wide (or 4 boards 2 m each and 20 cm wide). For the frame, you need a beam or a thick board with a width equal to the depth of the doorway (so that you do not have to use extras).

The grooved board is sold in high quality and in the right humidity condition

Before manufacturing the door, a drawing is drawn up, which displays all dimensions. There is one important detail to keep in mind. Since the swing door has no support on the frame, a gap is left between the leaf and the frame, which allows the sash to move freely. If in an ordinary door the seams are 3-4 mm, then in pendulum doors they make a gap of 1 cm.

The sketch shows dimensions and technological solutions in the door structure

The hinges are selected based on the total weight of the door leaf. If the technical documentation does not indicate the recommended values, the binding is made at the rate of 25 kg per one loop.

The general algorithm for making pendulum doors from wood is as follows:

1. According to the drawing, the door leaf is assembled. The boards are connected to form an integral plane of specified dimensions. There can be many connection methods - groove, strapping, gluing, etc.

2. The door frame is mounted. All dimensions must be strictly observed (permissible error - 1.5 mm), because in the future there will be no possibility of adjustment. Unlike conventional doors, a quarter is not chosen in the frame, which would serve as a support for the canvas. The box is fastened with special furniture screws (confirmations), dowels or metal corners.

   

   Confirmates have a wide thread pitch, which contributes to a reliable connection of wooden parts

3. The door is assembled into a single block. The width of technological gaps is checked, hinges are installed. If everything corresponds to the conceived plan, the structure is dismantled before installation in the wall opening.

   

   Hinges are installed at a distance of 15-25 cm from the edge of the web

4. The door block is being installed in the opening.

   

   Installation of a door frame on a construction laser level is much better than on a hydraulic level

5. Additional fittings are installed.

Video: DIY wooden doors

Welding two conventional metal hangers into a single structure, we get pendulum hinges for a metal door

Features of the installation and operation of swing doors

Installation of swing doors has some peculiarities. Before installing the hinges, it is necessary to loosen the return springs on the pivots. This is done using a mandrel. When installation is complete, the springs are tensioned again.

Stages of mounting a swing door:

1. Markings are made on the inside of the door frame and at the end of the door leaf. A pencil (or an awl) marks the location of the hinges.

   

   Cutting grooves with a chisel is the easiest way to install hinges

2. The thickness of the side cards is measured and the seats on the door frame and sash are cut to the same depth. This is necessary in order to drown and make the loops invisible. You can use an electric router or hand chisels.

   

   The use of a router with a set of cutters significantly speeds up the process of wood processing and improves the quality of units and parts

3. The retainer on the adjusting nut is removed.
4. The cards are opened, applied to the prepared grooves on the canvas, and fixed with self-tapping screws.
5. Likewise, the second cards are attached to the door frame.
6. By turning the adjusting nut clockwise, the desired position of the tension spring is set. The nut is secured with a stopper.

It is recommended to assemble the pendulum mechanism before installing the door frame in the wall opening

In this case, the following order is observed:

1. The box is installed on a flat horizontal surface (workbench, table, floor).
2. The hinges are cut into the end of the door leaf.
3. Correction and adjustment of the position of the leaf is made (the door should not cling to the frame, the side and vertical gaps must be of the same size).
4. The door leaf is removable.
5. The frame is installed in the opening of the doorway (it is important to carefully align the frame along the vertical and horizontal axis, otherwise the mechanism will not work correctly).
6. The canvas is hung on the door hinges and finally fixed.
7. Fittings are installed (if provided).

Video: installing a door on bar hinges

Repair and restoration of swing doors

Since the device of pendulum doors is simple, repairs are most often carried out on their own without the involvement of specialists. Conventionally, all types of repair work are divided into two types - functional and cosmetic. The first includes the elimination of damage to the mechanical part of the door block - hinges, gaskets, locks (if any). Repair of appearance is considered cosmetic - restoration of decorative coating, removal of visual defects.

The main tool in door repair is a Phillips screwdriver

The most common reason for disrupting the coordinated work of a door is an imbalance in hinged hinges. This happens especially often with suspensions made from low-quality materials. For example, Chinese pendulum hinges cost almost half the price of Italian ones. But at the same time, metal is used with reduced strength characteristics. After a short time, the springs weaken noticeably, the door stops returning to the set position. For this reason, experienced craftsmen prefer parts from trusted manufacturers. Such, for example, as Luigi Aldeghi (Italy), AMIG (Spain), MERT (Turkey) and others.

Video: how to choose a pendulum (bar) loop

It is important to diagnose the malfunction in a timely manner. Breakage signs:

• changing the geometry of the doorway (the gap along the perimeter of the door leaf becomes uneven and oblique);
• the appearance of sounds (creaks, rattling, metallic squeak);
• tight opening or closing of the door leaf (to open, you have to apply considerable effort, the return of the leaf to its place is slow and not completely).

To eliminate all these troubles, it is necessary to urgently repair the loops. The longer the door is used in a faulty condition, the more chances that the hinges will have to be changed entirely.

Here's what to look out for:

1. Fastening the hinges to the canvas and frame. Sometimes, due to careless assembly or excessive loads, the fixation of the hinges is weakened. Self-tapping screws loosen and fall out of the nests. In this case, the canvas begins to "peck", move along a broken path. The repair consists of a simple operation: using a Phillips screwdriver, tighten the “loose” screws.

   

   Tighten the screws until they stop.

2. Hinge lubrication. The characteristic metallic sound generated by the movement of the sash indicates that the pins require lubrication. Over time, the oil inside the hinges during assembly dries out or loses elasticity as a result of dust. The problem is solved with household grease VD-40. Light liquid penetrates deeply into the mechanism and softens the friction of metal parts.

   

   VD-40 is perfect for household needs on the farm

3. Buttonhole adjustment. It should be noted here that different manufacturers have their own nuances regarding the device of the suspended pendulum mechanism. The operating instructions attached to the accompanying documents will be a faithful guide on all adjustment issues. An adjusting key (mandrel pin) is included in the hinge delivery set. The essence of the process is to tension the spring to the desired condition. By turning the adjusting knob clockwise (in steps of 30–45 °), the steel return spring is in the optimum position. Fixation is done with a locking pin.

Video: installation and adjustment of pendulum hinges

Swing door accessories

The swing door fittings consist of:

• loop;
• seals;
• locking devices;
• door handles.

We have already discussed the loops above. Seals are silicone or brush gaskets that are mounted at the end of the door leaf. Their purpose is to reduce sound transmission and air circulation. When choosing a seal, remember that the allowable overlap size should not exceed 25-30%. This means that with a gap of 10 mm, the width of a properly installed seal does not exceed 13 mm. The seal is mounted on glue or sometimes a groove inside the canvas is provided for this.

Silicone seals for swing doors assume a groove in the door leaf end

Locking devices for swing doors are mechanisms that allow the leaf to be locked in a certain position (closed or open). These include latches, locks and bolts. Espagnolettes are most often used to stop the canvas open, the tongue extends into the floor or ceiling. The deadbolt can be either horizontal or vertical. The bolt design is simple, but very effective. The selection of manual locking devices is made taking into account specific circumstances. Fastening of bolts and bolts is carried out according to the instruction manual. There are a great variety of models and varieties. Sometimes the bolts have an overhead device and the installation consists in screwing them to the plane of the door. But there are also mortise latches, for which it is supposed to drill a recess inside the canvas.

The antique espagnolette not only carries a functional load, but is also a decoration

Doorknobs on swing doors are rarely used. However, in order to improve ease of use, sometimes various kinds of handles are installed on the door leaf or grooves are made, for which you can pull the door towards you. As a rule, these are simple devices with no internal mechanisms. Therefore, the selection is carried out only on the basis of aesthetic considerations and the quality of the material. Door handles are mounted according to the model and shape.

Studying information about the technical characteristics of pendulum doors and consumer reviews makes it possible to avoid annoying mistakes when planning household premises. The consequence of this will be the minimization of financial and time costs for construction or repair.