Most owners have metal plastic windows sooner or later the question arises - how to adjust the plastic balcony door with your own hands? The thing is that no matter how high-quality the door itself and the fittings that ensure its closing and opening are, over time the mechanism requires adjustment.
Of course, in order to adjust the balcony door, you can contact the company that installed it. However, this opportunity is not always available, and specialists often carry out adjustment visits a few days after the application. That’s why it’s better to master all the necessary skills yourself – fortunately, there’s nothing complicated about it.
Why the door requires adjustment: causes and prevention
Possible problems with the door
As a rule, preventive maintenance made from a metal-plastic profile is not required. This means that if there are no complaints about the functioning of the door, you do not need to call a specialist once a year or every six months.
The question “how to adjust a plastic balcony door?” should only be raised when you begin to notice that the door is not functioning as it should.
The most common problems include the following situations:
- The lower part of the sash touches the edge of the frame, which serves as a threshold. The most common reason for this is the sash sagging under its own weight.
This is explained simply: a significant proportion of the weight of the door leaf is made up of double-glazed windows, and if your balcony door has a double-glazed unit installed, and the glass instead of 4 mm has a thickness of 6 mm, sooner or later the hinges will “get tired” under the heavy weight, and the leaf will move.
- The sash touches the frame in the middle part. The reason for this is the lateral displacement of the sash due to temperature or other deformations.
Most often, such displacement can be eliminated by adjusting the hinges. - The sash is not pressed tightly against the frame, and cold air is blowing out from under the seal. Most often this is due to the rotation of the corresponding locking elements.
- The handle does not fit tightly in the socket and wobbles when rotated. The simplest case, which can be adjusted in just a couple of minutes.
Therefore, before adjusting plastic balcony doors, you need to figure out what exactly requires adjustment. And when you determine the location of the malfunction, the adjustment task will be significantly simplified.
Preventing problems with balcony doors
Of course, knowing how to adjust plastic balcony doors is very useful.
However, no less useful is information that allows you to avoid adjustments, or at least make it so that you have to adjust the window less often:
Pay attention!
The design of the microlift can be different, starting from a small lever on the side of the sash, and ending with a roller on its lower part.
- Also, installing an opening limiter - a special tire that supports and
These measures will help you prevent problems with the operation of the door leaf, but if adjustment is still needed, then below we will tell you how to adjust a balcony door - plastic or aluminum profile.
Balcony door adjustment
Sagging adjustment
If the balcony door, when opened, touches the frame with the lower edge of the sash, it means that the sagging sash needs to be adjusted. In order to eliminate this malfunction, we need to “move” the door leaf up and move it to the top hinge.
How will we do this?
- Open the sash in a rotating position (not for ventilation!)
- Using a hex adjustment wrench (4 mm), turn the screw at the end of the sash near the top hinge. To tighten the sash, you need to make several turns clockwise. After this, close the sash.
Pay attention!
In some hardware systems, the adjusting screws are made not for a hexagon, but for a special “asterisk” key. Take this into account, and if necessary, purchase such a key in advance.
- Remove the plastic decorative caps from the lower hinge to gain access to the upper adjustment screw.
- We turn the adjusting screw at the upper end of the hinge clockwise, thereby lifting the sash.
- We check how freely the fold moves and, if necessary, repeat the operations.
Adjustment when touching in the middle part
If the sash touches the frame in the middle part, then it is necessary to move it closer to the hinges.
How to adjust a plastic balcony door in this case?
- First, we move the sash to the lower hinge. To do this, insert the adjusting key into the side adjusting screw and tighten the sash to the hinge.
- If this is not enough, then repeat the procedure for the top loop. Adjusting the top hinge is described above.
As a rule, these actions are quite enough to prevent the sash from clinging to the frame.
Pressure adjustment
The pressure force of the balcony door sash to the frame is adjusted using locking elements located on the sash itself. For most fitting systems, these locking elements are shaped like eccentrics, so by rotating them using an adjusting wrench or pliers, you can achieve optimal clamping.
Replacing a wooden balcony door with a plastic one is popular and very effective way make your home more comfortable and warm. But all PVC structures have one feature: even the most quality windows and the doors have to be adjusted at certain intervals. If you feel that something is wrong with your door, do not rush to the phone in a panic to call an ambulance in the form of a team of locksmiths. If you carefully study the instructions, adjusting plastic balcony doors is not difficult.
When should the door be adjusted?
Adjustment of a PVC balcony door should be carried out immediately if:
- you have to use excessive force to open the door;
- when closing door leaf clings to the door frame;
- the lock handle is difficult to turn or, conversely, is too loose;
- at open lock the door doesn't stay in closed position;
- even a tightly closed door allows cold air from outside.
All these signs are, so to speak, critical. They indicate that the door is already in disrepair. It is possible that in this case, simple adjustment will not solve the problem and some parts will have to be repaired or replaced. This can be avoided if you adjust the plastic balcony doors yourself and do it in a timely manner. Here are some ways helping to identify subtle violations in the position of the door leaf:
- Open the balcony door slightly and leave it in that position. If it spontaneously tends to slam or open (of course, in the absence of wind or drafts), it’s time to start tuning.
- Take a simple pencil in your hands and take a position on the side opposite to the side of the door opening. After closing the door, outline its perimeter using the edge of the door frame as a ruler. Now open the door and take a close look at your own art. If the lines you drew are parallel to the edges of the door leaf, then everything is in order. If not, then there is a slight misalignment and it’s time to prepare the tools.
- Take a notebook sheet or a fragment of a newspaper page and slam the balcony door so that the paper is caught between it. Now try to remove the sheet, paying attention to the force you had to apply to do this. Thus it is necessary to check the tightness of the pressure along the entire perimeter of the door. Ideally, the force with which you had to pull out the paper will always be the same. If on different areas the door perimeter, the sheet is pressed unevenly, which means it is necessary to adjust the pressure.
Self-adjustment PVC balcony door should also be performed with the arrival of cold weather or, conversely, with warming: in the first case, the door pressure is strengthened, in the second, it is weakened.
Tip: Loosen the pressure in spring and summer should definitely, because when closing tightly ( winter mode) some parts of the door block wear out faster.
Instructions for adjusting a plastic door
The first thing you should worry about is the availability of such tools:
- screwdrivers with Phillips and flat profile;
- pliers;
— a set of hex keys (for some models you will need keys with an asterisk profile);
— PVC gaskets;
The design of door fastening units in PVC door blocks provides the possibility adjusting its position in three directions:
— horizontally (the gap between the door leaf and the hinge post is adjusted at the top, bottom or along the entire height);
— vertically (the height of the door hanger relative to the door frame changes);
— frontally (the density of pressing the door to the sealing elements of the doorway is adjusted).
The adjustment screws can be accessed by removing the decorative panel with the door open (use a 3 mm hexagon).
Let's look at all three adjustment options in more detail.
Horizontal direction
The movement of the door leaf to the right or left (toward or away from the hinge post) is controlled by a long adjusting screw located horizontally under the decorative trim. If the door when closing clings to the box from the latch side in the middle part or along the entire height, the screws should be turned clockwise one or two turns in all three hinges. If the lower edge of the canvas farthest from the hinges touches the threshold, you only need to tighten the screws in the upper and middle hinges.
Vertical direction
The vertical adjustment screw on the hinge is responsible for moving the door down (turning the screw counterclockwise) or up (clockwise). Such adjustment is resorted to in the case if the bottom edge of the door rubs against the threshold when closing or opening or it closes normally, but Dents are visible on the upper or lower seals. Use a 5mm hex socket to rotate the screws. The same key, but 2.5 mm, will be needed to adjust the position of the strikers at the top and bottom of the door frame. For this operation, in addition to the hexagon, you will need a flat-head screwdriver. The main locking bar will also have to be moved using a Phillips screwdriver.
Front direction (pressure adjustment)
Before adjusting the plastic balcony door, it is important to know that the pressing density of the door to the frame is various models regulated in different ways:
- At the vertical end of the door, on the side opposite the hinges, there may be three eccentrics that must be turned using the appropriate tool.
- Some models have a pin on the door hardware that must be turned using pliers. For maximum pressure, it should be given a direction, perpendicular to the plane door block, for the minimum - parallel.
- Sometimes the clamp can be adjusted by frontal displacement of the strike plate. For this purpose, there is a hex head screw under the bar.
Adjusting screws cannot always save the situation. It happens that a defect exists, but the corresponding screw is already in its extreme position. In this case, use another way to adjust a door with double glazed windows. Carefully prying it up with a chisel, you need to remove the glazing beads holding the glass unit. Then, using special blades, PVC gaskets are installed between the glass unit and the plastic in the right places (depending on what defect needs to be corrected). By correctly selecting the location of the gaskets and their thickness, you can change the geometry of the door and thus eliminate the distortion. When installing glazing beads in place, they should be carefully tapped with a rubberized hammer.
Tip: When removing glazing beads, mark them so that you can then install each one exactly in its place. Manufacturers often use different types of glazing beads to secure glass units from the inside and outside.
For pens plastic doors There are two problems:
1. The handle is difficult to turn or does not turn completely
Most often, this problem is caused by the incorrect position of the door leaf and after adjusting it using one of the methods described above, the lock mechanism should work properly. If the adjustment does not help, the lock will have to be replaced.
2. The handle is loose
If the trim installed where the handle is attached to the door is rotated 90 degrees, access to two screws will open. By tightening them with a Phillips screwdriver, you will correct the defect.
Replacing the seal
If the door long time If it is used skewed, it may become deformed. In this case, it must be replaced with a new one having a similar cross-sectional shape. The old seal is removed from the groove using a screwdriver, which is then cleaned of dirt and glue residues. When installing a new seal, make sure that it is not under tension. Before installing the profile, the groove must be coated with glue, especially in those places where the ends of the seal will be located.
Prevention
In order for your plastic balcony door to last longer without adjustment, equip it with two very useful devices: microlift and opening limiter. The microlift supports the weight of the door in the closed position, preventing it from sagging. The opening limiter prevents the hinges from becoming loose when the door rests against the jamb (when fully swinging open).
You should not hang bags with heavy contents on the door handle (especially an open one). The plastic door itself is heavy and additional weight can lead to rapid sagging.
Periodic lubrication with a silicone compound will help extend the life of the seal and make it more flexible and susceptible to deformation.
Don't forget to lubricate the lock regularly, too. If its handle is difficult to turn, users begin to put pressure on it (and at the same time on the door) with all their weight, while strongly pulling the door towards themselves. Under such conditions, distortion is inevitable.
Adjusting plastic balcony doors video
In this section, we invite you to watch a video on the topic of our article “Adjusting plastic balcony doors: instructions for setting it up yourself.” You will see how the procedures we described above are performed in practice.
I wish you good health.
Many of us sometimes hear voices several times a day. public transport the phrase “be careful, the doors are opening”, but few people pay attention to the specific word - “caution”. Meanwhile, the main emphasis in the phrase is on this word.
Every person passing through doorway into some unfamiliar room, we have the right to assume that the door will unexpectedly show its character and really play the role of the element it should be - an element of the building envelope.
Sometimes, of course, the door does not allow you to enter the room, because it is simply closed. But there are times when the door leaf comes into conflict with the door frame, or, simply put, the door “sticks.” To correct this defect, in some cases it is even necessary to replace damaged doors, and in some cases it is enough to simply adjust them.
Today we’ll talk about how to adjust a plastic door.
Why adjust a PVC door
Some time ago, answering your questions, I talked about how to adjust the opening sashes in plastic windows. Apparently, you have completely figured out the windows, and now new questions have already begun to arrive about how misaligned plastic doors can be brought into working order.
Discussing the topic of adjusting doors made of PVC profiles will take a little longer than adjusting windows, because door hanging systems have a greater variety than window sash fastenings. In addition, the door structure is additionally equipped with complex locking fittings and a lock with a latch embedded in the profile.
It’s easier than ever to adjust the hinged and locking system of plastic doors if the warranty period indicated by the manufacturer or installer is still valid door design. Call a technician, complain to him about the problem that has arisen and wait until he gets everything in order. perfect condition- the task is not at all difficult.
We will look at another frequently encountered plot, in which two main characters actors– you and a misaligned PVC door.
Types of plastic doors
Attentive consumers, of course, noticed that All doors are divided into two types: entrance and interior.
But this is not the only difference between door designs.
Additionally, entrance door blocks are also divided according to the type of opening - automatic and mechanical.
Automatic entrance doors can be:
- sliding single-leaf or double-leaf, with opening to the left, right, behind the wall or behind a fixed sash;
- carousel, with three or four leaves with different types of drive;
- hinged with one or two doors.
Interior doors, in turn, are divided into solid and transparent (French windows). A special place among interior doors occupy doors installed on the way out of the room to the balcony or loggia.
This type of door structure differs from the others in that it is not installed on its own, but together with part of the window block, and one of its sides is fixed not in the doorway, but in the window frame.
Another significant difference between plastic balcony doors and other door structures is that their curtains are similar to those used to fasten window sashes.
Previously, all balcony doors (first wooden, and then plastic) were made according to the same pattern: the lower half was blank, the upper half was filled with glass.
Recently, when people increasingly began to use balconies and loggias not as storage rooms, but as a cozy, good repair a place to relax, then balcony doors began to be made like French windows, that is, fully glazed.
A door in which the entire panel is glazed with a high-quality double-glazed unit weighs no less than its metal prototype, and is framed by a PVC profile. This means that such a design must have special reinforced fittings.
Immediately after installing the balcony door, it must meet the following requirements:
- the canvas around the entire perimeter should be pressed tightly against the door frame;
- in the half-open position, the door leaf must be in a static state, that is, it should not close or open arbitrarily;
- the canvas should not sag or cling with the profile or fittings to the strikers installed on the box;
- the locking handle should move around its axis freely, without visible resistance.
If the installers did a great job and did everything according to the established rules, then going out to the balcony will not soon cause you certain difficulties, the cause of which may be a skewed door leaf.
But if the slightest signs of malfunction appear in the operation of the balcony door, then the “disease” should not be started, since its consequences will only worsen.
You should promptly seek help from a specialist or correct the defect yourself.
Technology for adjusting a plastic door in the video:
Adjusting balcony door hardware
If you carefully read my articles, then you have already come across recommendations for adjusting window sashes. The principle of their adjustment does not differ from the same process in relation to the door to the balcony, since the fastening fittings in both cases are absolutely the same.
There is only one small addition to the design of the balcony door. It is a hook at the end of the door leaf on the side where the load-bearing curtains are attached. Technical purpose This element is to help the rather long side profile, when the sash is closed, not to bend, but to press its entire plane tightly against the frame.
This hook, like all other points of the locking mechanism, consists of a strike plate fixed to the frame and a movable pin installed at the ends of the sash.
Adjustment of the clamping force on the additional hook is carried out in the same way as at other points: by rotating the trunnion around its axis using a hexagon or a special spanner (the choice of tool depends on design feature the trunnion itself).
In order to adjust the position of the sash, you need to remove the plastic plug from the lower pin curtain, use a hex key inserted into the cylinder fixed to the sash, and turn the adjusting screw. Turning clockwise will raise the door leaf. If you turn the hex counterclockwise, the sash will lower.
You can move the bottom of the sash left or right by turning the hexagonal adjustment located in the lower part of the curtain attached to the door frame.
To change the position of the upper part of the sash from left to right, you need to tighten the fittings that are part of the fastening of the frame to the upper curtain. The adjustment point is located in the horizontal plane of the upper end of the sash, next to the upper curtain.
Pay attention to one detail: the adjusting screw, responsible for the movement of the bottom of the sash to the right and left, has access from two sides. If the slope does not fit close to the curtain in which the adjustment is located, then the hexagon can be inserted into the screw on the side of the slope and try to lift the door when it is in the closed position.
I strongly recommend not to do this, because the door may be pressed too tightly against the frame, and if you turn the screw using excessive force, you can easily break the thread on it, which will lead to complete failure of the lower support curtain.
How to detect defects
Fans of various kinds of test activities when checking completed construction work have one trick, which is aimed at checking the quality of the door frame rebate to the door leaf in a PVC profile structure. It consists in the fact that when the sash is slightly open, you need to put a piece of paper under it on the frame, and then close the sash tightly, moving the locking handle to the “closed” position.
A similar operation should be carried out by applying the sheet along the entire contour of the clamp.
If the force with which the sheet is pulled out different places turns out to be different, which means that the door is slowly beginning to lose its position as a well-adjusted product. Therefore, you need to prepare for the fact that you will soon have to carry out a number of measures to return it to a properly working state.
Another way to detect pre-emergency operation of a door leaf is to closed door outline the sash around the perimeter with a simple pencil. If, upon opening the door, you see that the pattern does not geometrically exactly match doorway, then this will also indicate that there are some deviations in the adjustment.
A similar operation should be carried out even when the door has already begun to touch the frame. The drawing will show how much the door has changed its standard position, and in which direction the adjusting screws should be turned to return it to its original position.
What tools are used to adjust plastic doors?
Before you begin adjusting the mechanism that holds and presses the door leaf to the door frame, you need to prepare a simple set of construction tools:
- screwdrivers (a pair of different sizes) of two types - Phillips and flat;
- set of hexagons.
The kit for these items requires knowledge, which I will now share with you.
I kindly ask you: no reading or viewing necessary information do not proceed with adjusting the door leaf.
Trial and error method in this case is not suitable because, as a rule, it leads to damage to the fittings. Replacing a damaged element is not a quick and difficult task, because only a complete analogue of the broken part can be suitable for this replacement.
How to adjust a PVC door
PVC profile doors are an indispensable attribute most public and commercial establishments. In many country houses their owners use plastic glazed doors to fence off hallways and exits from the premises to the terrace or winter garden.
In private houses, there is usually no increased load on plastic entrance doors (unless small child sometimes he will ride on them, holding the handles of the sash).
But in those places where crowds of people are constantly moving, and even some of them, leaving the room, dissatisfiedly slam the door, any door structures installed on this busy path have a very hard time.
It is for this reason Plastic entrance doors are structurally different from PVC interior and balcony doors. They are more durable and have better heat and sound insulation.
PVC entrance doors serve not only as the building envelope, designed to provide entry and exit from the premises.
Their additional purpose is to prevent the spread of fire.
To do this, the surface of the plastic is coated with a special non-flammable polyvinyl chloride film , providing an increased fire safety class.
Of course, a film that provides protection in case of fire is very good, but it is even better if during the same fire the door leaf does not jam, it does not sag and allows everyone to quickly and unhinderedly leave the room. And this is only possible if the door curtains and locking mechanism are correctly adjusted and operating normally.
For the process of adjusting the pressure of the Alutex overhead hinges, watch the video:
Adjusting overhead curtains
The required number of door curtains connecting the frame to the leaf is calculated for each design individually and depends mainly on the weight of the door leaf.
If the sash design does not have a double-glazed window, and its leaf is covered only with a light sandwich panel, then two curtains are sufficient to secure such a sash.
But, usually, on a plastic entrance door that has glazing, there can be from three to four curtains, each of which has three types of adjustment.
It is important to know that if you try to change the position of the door leaf by tightening the adjustments of only one curtain, this can cause a point curvature of the profile (that is, it will bend only in the area where the adjustable curtain is attached).
It is precisely this kind of illiterate adjustment that subsequently causes squeaks that appear at the place where the curtains are attached.
Some “experts” advise that if squeaks occur, lubricate the hinges by pouring machine oil into them. Yes, maybe for a while the lubricant will be able to reduce extraneous noise when opening the door, but over time they will still appear again.
I can responsibly declare that a properly adjusted door without any lubrication should not make any sounds when slamming, except perhaps a soft slap.
For an algorithm for adjusting the top hinge of a plastic balcony door, watch the video:
How to raise a door leaf
I want to make a reservation right away - there are several constructively different models door curtains. How to regulate each specific model must be considered separately, using an individual approach. I’ll be honest: I used to come across such samples that, even with some experience, it was not immediately possible to guess which of the adjusting screws was installed in which place.
But now recent years five, as there are no new samples - apparently, the designers who are creating more and more new parts for attaching the door to the frame have run out of imagination, or they have finally found the optimal design option for the door curtain.
Below we will look at how to adjust the most common type of door curtain.
If there is a need to change the position of the door leaf by lifting it a few millimeters up, you need to perform the following steps:
- find the place where the adjusting screws are installed on all curtains. As a rule, this place is located at the lower end of the cylindrical part of the curtain;
- select a wrench of the required size from a set of hexagons;
- move the sash from the “closed” position to the “half-open” position;
- insert the key into the upper curtain and turn it half a turn or a full turn as necessary;
- exactly the same radius of rotation to which the hexagon was turned when adjusting the first curtain, it is necessary to turn the adjusting screws of the remaining curtains;
- check the quality of the adjustment by closing the door;
- If the defect has not disappeared and the door needs to be further raised, then all adjustment steps must be repeated sequentially.
If the door leaf is heavy, you can lighten the load on the first adjusting screw, which, in fact, transfers the weight of the entire lifted sash.
To do this, you can build a kind of lever under the sash and, by lightly pressing on it, help the adjusting screw lift the heavy sash.
You can also gradually lift the sash by making small movements with a hexagon, adjusting each curtain in turn.
How to press a plastic door leaf to a door frame
Unlike a balcony door, where the pressure to the frame occurs due to the rotation of eccentrics installed at the ends of the frame, the entrance plastic door has a different adjustment principle.
Both methods of closing differ in that front door The door leaf is fixed due to a latch located in the lock body or separately installed at the end of the door. While in the balcony door, the clamping mechanism is fixed and adjusted by turning the locking handle, which pushes the trunnions located at the ends of the sash into the hook with the counter strips installed on the frame.
Let me remind you that we are considering one of several, the most common design options for a door curtain.
Adjustment of the pressure of the plastic entrance door leaf from the side where the curtains are installed should be carried out according to the following scheme:
- remove decorative plugs from the upper cylindrical part of all curtains. Please note: sometimes the manufacturer provides a hint on the plug itself - in which direction the screw should be turned in order for the sash to move closer or further away from the box;
- select the hex key of the required diameter;
- insert it from above into the lower or upper (there is no fundamental difference) adjusting screw;
- gradually, little by little (no more than 10 0) by tightening the key, achieve the desired pressure. You can check the strength of the prim using a piece of paper (see above).
Many “homemade” people, not understanding the principle of operation of this adjustment, begin to turn the hexagon like the steering wheel of a ship, hoping to find the ideal point by trial and error. Sometimes this leads to the fact that the cheating is then corrected and the door is returned to the right direction operation will be difficult even for a real specialist.
Therefore, before adjusting this unit, you should first become familiar with its structure.
An oval-shaped adjusting screw protruding upward is attached to the lower curtain, onto which, when connecting the curtain to the frame, the part of the curtain fixed to the sash is put on.
In the upper cylindrical part of each curtain there is an oval-shaped hole into which an adjusting screw fits. Their connection is a regular eccentric, which, when turned by 90 0, changes the position of the sash clamp.
Having adjusted the pressure of that side of the door leaf on which the curtains are located, you should begin adjusting the leaf from the side of the door handle.
Plastic entrance doors can be equipped with a regular latch or a latch built into the lock. The latch striker mounted on the frame is usually equipped with a sliding insert.
To increase the pressure on the door leaf, unscrew the two screws securing the sliding insert and move it closer to the seal installed on the frame.
Having firmly fixed the insert in the new place, you should check the quality of the connection between the sash and the frame by conducting a test using a paper sheet (see above).
Various options for adjusting the doors to the balcony in the video:
How to change the tilt of a door leaf
Adjusting the inclination of the door leaf relative to the plane of the door frame in different versions of the curtains is carried out using different methods.
Let me remind you that we are considering the most popular design option for door curtains. In this case, the most difficult part is removing the curtain cover located on the door leaf - it is under it that the adjusting screw is located.
To gain access to the screw, open the flap completely and locate the locking bolt in the inside of the curtain that holds the curtain cover in place. Having selected the hexagon of the required diameter, you should completely unscrew the stopper and remove the cover, sliding it along the slide towards the door handle.
After the cover is removed, you will immediately see the adjusting screw, by tightening which you will visually notice how the canvas changes its position relative to the frame.
I remind you again that Under no circumstances should you turn only one screw several turns at once.. This may cause the threads on the screw to become stripped.
The sash should be tilted by gradually tightening each screw required quantity rpm
What can you do to make plastic doors less likely to require adjustment?
The long-term operation of the fittings holding a plastic door depends, first of all, on the measurer, who carried out all the necessary dimensions and calculated the geometric parameters of the new door.
If at this stage a mistake was made, and the tolerance between the doorway and the finished product exceeded the permissible standard of 10-20mm, then the installers, of course, will install the door, but its fastening to the wall will not be strong enough.
This defect cannot be corrected by installing an additional number of anchors, since the anchor simply fixes the position of the door frame, and polyurethane foam, which plays the role of the main seal, loses this quality at a rate directly proportional to the increase in the thickness of the layer between the opening and the door frame.
Therefore, if the door is smaller than the opening by more than a couple of centimeters, when the door leaf slams, the dynamic load will each time be transferred to the frame, which, due to its unstable position, will loosen the fittings.
The next reason for premature failure door hardware can create constructors that calculate the number of curtains for a specific sample.
According to the technology, the number of curtains depends on the weight of the door leaf. If there is an error in the calculations, for example, after installation of three fastening points instead of the required four, and when the door operates under conditions of increased load, for example, at the entrance to a store, you should expect a quick failure of not only the adjustment, but also the fastening of the curtains themselves.
Another reason for frequent door leaf adjustments may be the intensive work of the door structure. In this case, it is possible and even necessary to equip the door leaf with a closer.
These parts protruding above the door, of course, do not add additional aesthetic appeal to the door structure, but the fact that they are very convenient and allow you to prolong the trouble-free operation of the door is beyond doubt.
Quite often, we ourselves are the cause of a loose door system. For example, when in a double-leaf swing door We forget to close one of the latches that secure the non-functional part of the door leaf from the bottom and top.
Features of plastic entrance doors
For the production of PVC entrance doors it is especially used durable profile, special steel reinforcement. Therefore from three types plastic doors (balcony, interior and entrance) the last one is the heaviest, and for its normal functioning, reinforced fittings and special, more reliable types of door handles and special closers are used.
In order for the front door to serve as a reliable barrier to noise and cold, its design uses a double sealing circuit, which ensures such door block all functional responsibilities.
All entrance doors have one general feature– absence of the lower part of the protruding frame, such as, for example, a window block.
If this lower section remained at the door frame, it would protrude above the floor surface and would certainly interfere with passing people. Therefore, the lower threshold of the entrance door is made flat, not rising above the floor surface.
In order not to leave this section of the door structure unprotected from the passage of cold air and sound waves, some door leaves are equipped with magnetic thresholds.
This system is designed in such a way that two magnetic bars, recessed into the level with the threshold, are magnetized to a metal strip attached to the lower end of the door leaf when the door is closed. When the door is opened, the magnets fall inside the threshold without interfering with the passage.
It must be taken into account that this part, important for heat and sound insulation, can only work with precisely adjusted adjustment of the door leaf, when it is located exactly above the magnets and at the height necessary for their operation.
One of the main functions of the front door (no matter whether it is made of plastic or other material) is good protection premises from unwanted entry. Reliable performance of this function implies the use of a door lock in the design.
Excellent burglary resistance of a plastic entrance door is achieved by fastening load-bearing elements, locking devices in steel profile reinforcement.
Existing locks for installation in plastic doors are divided into:
- single-lock, which have one locking point located approximately in the middle of the height of the door structure;
- multi-point, they are used for two- or three-point contact of the shutter locking mechanism with the door frame. Several points of contact along the entire height of the frame provide increased reliability and high-quality pressing of the sash to the frame.
Even a minor change in the position of the leaf may not allow the multi-locking mechanism to perform its functions, which is why it is so important that all load-bearing fittings installed on the door structure are in working, adjusted condition.
The door closer is a mandatory element of the fittings
Strong impacts of the canvas on the box and sharp jerks behind door handle seriously affect the operation of the door structure and have a significant impact on reducing the frequency of actions to adjust door hardware.
Installing a door closer will help to avoid the premature onset of the consequences of too active operation of a plastic entrance door.
Closing the door leaf smoothly and not allowing the door to be pulled too sharply is the main function of this mechanical device. In addition to combating premature wear of fittings, one of the functions of the closer is to maintain the microclimate in the room.
The smoothness of the force of pressing the sash against the frame is adjusted both immediately when installing the device, and periodically during its operation.
The frequency of maintenance depends on the time of year - when cold weather sets in, the oil in the closer becomes more viscous, and the performance will deteriorate significantly if it is not adjusted in time.
IN technical specifications Each closer model must indicate a lower temperature threshold at which the device is subject to additional adjustment.
If there is no need for non-scheduled repairs, then The frequency of adjusting the plastic door is once a year., whereas installed on this door The closer should be adjusted at least twice a year. The frequency of adjustment also depends on the weight of the door leaf and how often it is used.
Additional functions appear on those closers that are equipped with additional internal valves. Such devices can fix the door at a certain point when it is in the open position, and can also “slam” the door to the frame for better abutment or operation of the latch.
There are universal models of door closers that can be installed both on the side of the door into which the leaf opens and on the opposite part. It is not advisable to install the device on the street side, because there it will be most exposed to temperature changes that negatively affect it.
For information about the capabilities of a door closer for a plastic door, watch the video:
Adjusting the closer
Before setting up the door closer, you should check whether the fittings of the door structure itself need adjustment. To do this, you need to disconnect the device lever from the sash and check for sagging or damage to the curtains.
The standard closer mechanism has two valves that can be adjusted.
The first is responsible for changing the speed of self-closing of the door leaf. To increase or decrease the speed, turn the screw installed on the side end of the device. If you turn it counterclockwise, the closing speed of the sash increases; if you turn it counterclockwise, it decreases.
The adjusting screw should be turned extremely carefully and no more than one or two turns, otherwise the seal of the housing may be compromised, which will lead to leakage of the oil filler.
The second adjusting screw is installed in the valve, which is responsible for the movement of the flap just before the moment of slamming.
This valve should be adjusted when the leaf is perpendicular to the door frame. Turning the screw clockwise increases the amount of time until the door leaf is quickly adjusted to the frame.
In the joint of the lever mechanism there is a special nut, which, when turned clockwise, increases the opening angle of the door leaf.
If it becomes necessary to leave the doorway open, then there is no need to place various objects under the corner of the leaf to fix its position - such actions will inevitably lead to damage to the door hardware.
Some door closers are equipped with a special function that locks the open sash in the desired position. To do this, you just need to tighten the locking element installed on the device itself.
The sash locking function can be configured to operate in automatic mode. Then, when opening to the point set in the closer’s settings, the door will close according to all the rules, and after passing the mark, the door will automatically lock in the desired position.
It is important to keep in mind that when installing a door closer on a plastic door, you should turn the fastening screws not only through PVC coating, but also through the steel profile installed underneath, reinforcing the entire structure. Only in this case will the closer be securely fastened and withstand all loads during operation.
In order for the device to last as long as possible, you should not help it by applying force when closing the door. If there is no special device that fixes the open position of the sash, then the lever mechanism should be disconnected in cases where it is necessary to leave the sash open for a long time.
The partially limiting function of the closer can be duplicated by installing a conventional bumper on the floor.
But you should know that this operation also occurs subject to certain conditions.
The bumper should be installed in such a way that the place of its contact with the door leaf is closer to the outer edge of the opening leaf. If the bumper is installed close to the door curtains, then the load on them will be higher than permissible, because in this case the principle of a lever will begin to operate, breaking the curtains out of the fastenings.
When to adjust fittings
You should turn to specialists for help or try to adjust the door fittings yourself (in accordance with the recommendations of the same specialists) when:
- became visually noticeable, or a strong draft appeared in the junction- this indicates that the leaf does not fit tightly to the door frame. You can verify the correctness of your suspicions using a sheet of paper, which should be placed one by one along the entire contour of the junction and taken out with the door closed, determining in different places the difference in the pressure of the connection between the sash and the frame;
- the sash appeared to sag. The first symptoms of this malfunction: when opening or closing, the door clings to the frame, the door latch does not fit into the lock striker, or the lock itself does not close well;
- The functioning of the door closer has changed. In this case, it is not necessary that this problem occurred due to the door hardware; perhaps the misadjusted closer itself is to blame. But it is imperative to find out the real reason.
Once a year, even with trouble-free operation of the door leaf, test measures should be carried out for preventive purposes in order to prevent the occurrence of serious malfunctions in the operation of the door structure.
Tips for adjusting the balcony door in the video:
Every day, the door on the balcony is subjected to repeated opening and closing cycles. It is not surprising that over time, even reliable fittings fail. In case of insufficient pressure to the frame, jamming of the sash or incorrect response to the position of the handle, do not rush to contact the service department. The listed problems are solved by simple adjustment of the plastic balcony door, for which you do not have to be a professional. It is enough to have a hex key on hand and the knowledge gained after reading this manual.
Most problems with plastic balcony doors can be fixed on your own.
Before we look at how to adjust plastic balcony doors, let's understand their design and operating principle. The main components here are: double-glazed windows, a metal-plastic frame and tilt-and-turn fittings. The latter is responsible for opening, closing and tilting the sash.
The design of plastic doors and windows is identical. The only difference is their size and location.
Balcony fittings are a belt mechanism located along the perimeter of the door leaf. The control is carried out by a handle, the rotation of which leads to the movement of cylindrical locks relative to the counter plates installed on the fixed frame. The canvas is attached to the frame with special hinges that can carry the load created by a heavy metal-plastic frame with double-glazed windows.
Tilt and turn fittings are manufactured in such a way as to ensure convenient operation and easy setup. products For this purpose, the mechanism is equipped with several adjusting bolts, which allow:
- increase or decrease the pressure of the canvas to the frame;
- lower or raise the sash;
- adjust the horizontal position of the balcony door.
Location of adjustment elements for the plastic balcony door
Problems with plastic doors and methods for eliminating them
Standard problems are solved by point adjustment. Almost all manufacturers produce plastic balcony doors using the same technology, so the mechanism settings are identical.
Pressure adjustment for insufficient sound and heat insulation
Plastic door and window designs characterized by a high level of sound insulation and thermal insulation. If sound from the street calmly penetrates into the room, and in winter it is also accompanied by a cold air flow around the perimeter of the seal, the owners are sinning on the quality of the design by making claims to the manufacturing company. Usually the manufacturer has nothing to do with it, and the problem arises due to weak pressing of the sash to the frame.
The blade is pressed using special cylindrical eccentrics (trunnions). They are placed on the vertical ends - 4 on the front (from the handle side) and 2 on the back (from the hinges). Another 1 eccentric is located on top, directly on the scissors, which hold the sash in tilt mode.
Depending on the hardware manufacturer appearance trunnions may vary slightly
Inside the trunnion there is a hole with six edges, which allows you to adjust the plastic balcony door with a hex key. If you turn the eccentric mostly towards the rubber seal, the pressure will be maximum, respectively, if with a smaller part - minimum. The difference between the extreme positions of the trunnion is 2 mm, so the effect is noticeable.
If desired, the eccentrics can be adjusted several times a year. In winter, set the maximum pressure, in summer the minimum, and in spring/autumn set the trunnion to the middle position.
Pressure adjustment depending on the season
The door to the balcony does not close well - it has sagged/sagged
A situation often arises when the door leaf rubs against the frame, which forces you to put more effort into closing the balcony. Adjusting the hinges (top or bottom) will help solve this problem.
The top hinge is equipped with an adjusting bolt, which can be reached by opening the sash 90°. Rotating the bolt clockwise causes the top edge of the blade to be pulled toward the loop. Accordingly, rotating the bolt counterclockwise causes the opposite effect - the upper edge moves away from the loop.
Adjusting the hinge of a plastic balcony door is carried out with the same tool as adjusting the trunnions
The bottom hinge has the same screw to adjust the horizontal position of the bottom edge. In this case, adjustments can be made both from the outside and from the inside. In both cases, you need to rotate the screw when open door and after every 2 turns check its operation.
The lower hinge is most often adjusted from the inside, since the slope interferes with the outside
The lower hinge performs another function - it allows you to lower or raise the sash. A vertical screw located at the top of the mechanism is designed for this. To get to it, you must first remove decorative overlay. Rotating the screw clockwise raises the door leaf, and counterclockwise causes it to lower.
Vertical adjustment can be made when the balcony door is in locked position or tilt mode
In the process of adjusting the position of the sash, it is important to maintain balance, since if you eliminate a problem in one place, you can get it in another. It is advisable to immediately determine where exactly the canvas rubs against the frame and, based on this, adjust the upper or lower hinge.
Advice: it is enough to make 2 turns of the adjusting bolt to see the effect and understand in which direction to move next.
Opening the door in two positions at once
Incorrect adjustment of the fittings can lead to the opening of the balcony door in two modes at once - rotary and inclined. This can happen in the following cases.
In tilt mode, the lower corner of the sash is not fixed
If, when you turn the handle up, the door leaf not only reclines to the ventilation mode, but also opens completely, most likely the bottom of the sash has shifted towards the hinge. At the bottom of the end on the handle side there is a special lock that fixes the angle in tilt mode. For it to work correctly, the lock must fit into the mate located on the frame. If the angle is excessively shifted, locking does not occur, and the door opens in any position of the handle.
To fix the problem yourself, adjust the bottom hinge of the balcony door. Following the technology described in the previous section, slightly remove the door leaf from the hinge, thereby bringing the “problem” corner closer to the counterpart of the lock.
For normal operation of the lock, a couple of millimeters may be missing, so you should check the result after each turn
In the rotation mode, the door tilts at the same time
The problem is the sagging of the door leaf, in which the pressing eccentric located on the scissors does not reach the counterpart and does not fix the upper corner in the rotary mode. Therefore, when the handle is in a horizontal position, the sash not only rotates, but also tilts.
The solution to the problem is simple. It is enough to lift the door slightly when closed so that the upper eccentric fits into the groove of the mating part and fixes the angle. The procedure is performed by adjusting the lower loop.
To eliminate unintentional tilt, just make a few turns clockwise
Adjusting the PVC door handle
How to tighten a loose handle in 1 minute:
Self-service of plastic balcony doors
To make a plastic balcony door long term worked properly, in addition to correct adjustment, periodically lubricate the seal and fittings. Manufacturers recommend lubricating these components at least once a year, before the start of the cold season.
Seal lubrication
The rubber seal can quickly dry out and crack if it is not lubricated in time. In addition, dry rubber often sticks to plastic frame, which leads to an unpleasant sound when opening the sash.
Without lubrication, the seal will have to be replaced every 2-3 years. Whereas with regular maintenance, its service life can be increased to 10 years.
The procedure is carried out using silicone grease, having previously cleaned the rubber from dirt and debris. Liquid silicone is applied to a dry surface with a sponge or soft cloth. Some craftsmen use an aerosol for such purposes. However, in this case, the consumption will be an order of magnitude higher, since part of the material will be sprayed in vain, settling on furniture and interior items.
The best option for lubricating the rubber seal is a container with a foam tip.
Lubricating hardware
Sticking of the opening/closing mechanism is often caused by insufficient lubrication of the fittings. For such purposes, it is most convenient to use WD-40 lubricant, which has high penetrating ability. Lubricate all the locks located around the perimeter of the door leaf, including the main mechanism to which the handle is attached. Also pay attention to scissors and loops.
After lubricating, close the door and turn the handle several times to activate the lock mechanism. This will help the lubricant penetrate into remote corners.
The WD-40 container is equipped with a thin nozzle for spot lubrication in hard-to-reach places
Video: detailed instructions from an expert on PVC windows and doors
Self-adjustment and maintenance of a plastic balcony door is easy. To cope with the task, it is enough to understand where the adjustment and lubrication points are, and also have the desire to put the door structure in order.
All malfunctions of a balcony door or window that occur during the warranty period are eliminated by the installer.
But as soon as this period expires, you will need to invite a specialist, which can be very expensive. However, many problems can be solved on your own, you just need to find out how to do it correctly.
How to adjust the pressure of a plastic balcony door
Features of malfunctions of balcony doors
When the installation of a new balcony door is completed, the installers make its initial adjustment, thanks to which the door functions flawlessly for some time. However, this does not last indefinitely; over time, the tightness of the door decreases, cold air enters the room or other malfunctions appear, and even insulating the balcony does not help prevent this.
They occur much less frequently with windows than with doors. Many problems can be solved by adjusting the pressure of a plastic balcony door, which must be done correctly and in a timely manner. After all, solving small problems is easier than eliminating major malfunctions.
Therefore, you should not wait until the balcony door stops closing. If you notice that cold air is entering the room and the canvas is not pressed quite tightly against the frame, call a specialist or do the adjustment yourself.
Ensuring normal pressure on the balcony door with your own hands
- In order to determine whether adjustment of the pressure of a plastic balcony door is required, you need to take a sheet of paper, place it on the frame of the open door, close the door and try to pull the sheet towards you.
This action should be carried out around the perimeter of the door.
At the same time, it is important to note the strength of the efforts that have to be made. If this becomes easy to do, it means that the door leaf has lost its former tightness.
- If you suspect that the door leaf is not quite level with respect to the frame, you can do the following manipulation: close the door, trace the door with a simple pencil, open the door and evaluate the evenness of the line.
It is not forbidden to use a level.
Using these simple methods, you can always identify problems in a timely manner and respond to them.
Plastic door adjustment diagram
A plastic balcony door differs in many ways from a wooden one. Its main advantage is the possibility of relatively simple adjustment of such a balcony door.
On modern market You can also find various designs of plastic doors, but the principle of their operation is similar, as well as the principle of their adjustment. Therefore, there is a general algorithm for troubleshooting.
In order to do this, you need to have the following set of tools:
- screwdrivers (phillips and flat);
- hex keys (better if it is a set);
- pliers;
- roulette;
- plastic gaskets.
- Inspect the door, assess the condition of the doors and seal, check how the handle turns (all the way or not, easily or with difficulty).
Adjustment units for plastic doors from various companies
Then close the door and remove the covers from the hinges. Having done this, you can notice a long screw located in a horizontal plane. Use it to adjust the door horizontally.
If there is sagging in the lower edge of the door farthest from the hinges, then you will need to tighten the screws located in only two hinges - the middle and upper.
This operation can be performed using a No. 5 hex key.
The main locking bar is adjusted with a Phillips screwdriver. You can raise the door by adjusting the bottom hinge, which requires inserting a hexagon into the groove and rotating it in a clockwise direction.
The correction of this shortcoming is presented in a video on our website, which clearly displays the essence and sequence of actions.
How to adjust door pins
The sash lowers when the screws rotate in a clockwise direction, and rises in the opposite direction.
- How the pressure of plastic balcony doors should be adjusted is largely determined by the design of the door. If the clamp is adjusted by a special striker plate on the profile, then you need to place the hexagon in the corresponding groove and turn it half a turn.
If you have a special pin, you will have to use pliers to turn it. The minimum pressure will ensure a parallel arrangement of the trunnion to the profile, the maximum pressure will ensure a perpendicular arrangement.
And one last thing. If the situation cannot be corrected with screws, you can “pull out” the door a little. To do this, remove the glazing beads and insert plastic spacers under the profile.
Thus, if you follow the instructions presented, restoring the normal pressure of the balcony door will not be difficult. You just need to correctly identify necessary funds adjust the plastic balcony door and work with them carefully.
