A latch-latch is an element of door hardware that holds the sash in a closed position without additional manipulation of the handle. Most balcony blocks are equipped with such a mechanism by default, so the apartment owners do not attach much importance to it, sometimes without even knowing about the existence of a retainer. However, if, as a result of natural wear and tear of the fittings, the door leaf has ceased to be fixed in the closed position or the latch for the balcony door has not been installed by the builders for some reason, then the issue of its choice and installation becomes relevant.
- Mechanical design
The purpose of the latch
Plastic door latch is a very useful, convenient and functional part of modern door hardware. A simple principle of operation, similar to the work of latches on the doors of kitchen cabinets, allows you not to be distracted by monitoring the position of the door. The latch mechanism is designed for free opening of the door by a person (if necessary) without applying any serious effort. However, strong gusts of wind do not disturb the closed position of the door leaf. Keeping the plastic door from swinging open while the door lock mechanism is in the unlocked position is the main task of the installed latch.
Another, household, name of the mechanism is the smoker's latch. The explanation for this is simple: it is enough to slam the door on the latch and the smoke will no longer be drawn into the living space; tight closing of the balcony door with a lock is not required for a short visit to the balcony or loggia. When using a one-way lock (its handle is located on the side of the room) and there is no latch, the door cannot be closed when leaving the balcony. So, the usefulness and necessity of installing a latch on a balcony door are obvious.
Let's sum up
Installing a lock in balcony doors allows, in some cases, to increase comfort, prevent accidental door opening and relieve additional mental stress inherent in suspicious and anxious people, especially if they leave their home for a long time, going on vacation or on a business trip.
Not being a panacea for burglar thieves, a lock in a door handle is sometimes useful, at least its presence does not spoil either the appearance of the door or its functionality.
Source: sambalkon.ru/osteklenie/dveri/zamok-na-plastikovuyu-balkonnuyu-dver.html
Types of door latches
The main difference between the latches used is in the locking mechanism. On this basis, the following types are distinguished:
- Roller latch, predictably, has a spring-supported roller in the mechanism. The whole structure is placed in a small metal box. A striker with a groove (grip) is installed on the frame profile. The roller fixed at the end of the door leaf enters the grip when the door is closed and is fixed in it.
Most popular model - Fale latch similar to roller. Its latch is also spring-loaded and when closed, the beveled tongue must fall into the mating groove on a special bar installed on the frame. The shape of the latch does not allow the door to open back, because it is strictly fixed in the groove, falling into it when closing.The latch is opened with a special handle, which has a swivel mechanism.
- Magnetic latch structurally very simple. Magnetic and regular metal bar - that's the whole structure. The slats are attached at the same level: metal - on the door leaf, magnetic - on the frame. The service life of such an elementary mechanism is not limited. The main advantage of the magnetic latch is the ability to work correctly with a slight displacement of the slats relative to each other due to inaccurate installation, skewing of the frame structure, door sagging due to unadjusted hinge fittings. The magnetic lock, unlike models with a different operating principle, does not wear out and does not wear out during operation. Therefore, the reliability of its fixation and the clamping force are always stable, breakdowns are excluded.
Sagging of the door leaf, its distortion, change in the geometry of the frame structure can disrupt or make it impossible for the correct functioning of the roller and latch latch. The working latch (in the form of a roller or a beveled tongue) must fit exactly into the catch of the striker mounted on the frame. Emergency setting consists in adjusting the door leaf with the hardware screws. In the process of adjustment, the position of the door relative to the frame opening is adjusted. In this case, the canvas can be raised, lowered, shifted to the right and left its top or bottom, and the force of pressing the opening sash to the frame can be adjusted. If this adjustment did not help to establish the correct operation of the latch (in general, this is very rare), you will have to dismantle and reinstall one of the parts of the mechanism. Usually they are shifted in the right direction and a strip with a groove is attached.
The magnetic latch does not pose a problem in this regard. With a verified initial installation, its correct and reliable operation will not change from a slight distortion or subsidence of the door.
Installing the magnetic latch takes a few minutes
Another characteristic difference between latches. If the file and roller close with a characteristic click, then the magnetic ones almost do not disturb others.
Due to the fact that the functional elements of the latches are attached to the end part of the frame and door profile, they are not visible from any side of the view. This feature helps to preserve the strict classical aesthetics of not only the door, but also the entire structure installed in the opening.
Maintenance of all types of latches is very simple. Periodically, their mechanisms are wiped from dust, dirt, debris and lubricated (except for the magnetic latch plates) with a special tool for window fittings. Any silicone grease or regular machine oil (spindle) will also work. The main thing is to be sure that the used lubricant does not include resins, acids and other aggressive substances.
How to troubleshoot yourself:
Sagging of the canvas on the threshold
We start the adjustment from the upper hinge, for this the door needs to be opened. At the very top of the hinge there is a hexagonal or star-shaped screw (they are different in different models). We select a suitable key and make several turns with the key clockwise. Do not overdo it, it is better to twist it once more after checking.
We close the door and see if we have eliminated the problem or not.
If, after the work done, the sash touches the threshold, then it is necessary to look at the lower hinge. If there is a protective cap on the hinge, it must be removed. We are looking for the same hexagon or asterisk, it will also be located at the top of the loop. We make several turns with the key clockwise. We check that this procedure should solve the problem completely.
The leaf touches the door frame in the middle
This nuance can be solved by tightening the bolt on the canopy. We start everything from the lower canopy, only this time we are looking for a bolt on the side. We select the key and make several turns back clockwise.This procedure will pull the canvas up to the canopy and automatically move it away from the free edge of the box.
If, after such manipulations, the door still rubs against the box, then we carry out all of the above with the upper canopy.
Do not be lazy, check several times to see if everything suits you, if there are any shortcomings, then it is better to eliminate them right away.
This disadvantage can also be solved at home on your own. We open the door and look for pins (or eccentrics) from the free side edge. There are often three of them: top, middle and bottom.
The pins or eccentrics must be turned slightly towards the sealing gum with a screwdriver or pliers. After each change in the position of the eccentrics, you need to check the door hold-down. This procedure must be carried out with all three eccentrics.
This may take some time, because the work is delicate and meticulous. On the hinge side, you also need to check the pressure. We close the door and in the awnings above and below we are looking for a bolt, and you need to tighten it a little.
You can check if everything worked out using an ordinary sheet of paper. We open the door and insert a sheet of paper into the opening, avoiding the locking mechanisms. We close the door and try to pull out the paper, while the sheet should be pulled out with difficulty. If it passes freely, you should repeat the procedure.
Adjusting the door handle
If the handle is loose, then you can fix it well with a screwdriver. We select the required tool size and tighten the bolts.
How to prevent problems with a plastic door on the balcony.
So that the door does not have to be adjusted too often, you can stock up on a few simple devices:
Microlift for a plastic door
A microlift is used for heavy plastic doors equipped with double-glazed windows with thick glass. This system allows the door not to sag on the threshold. The microlift is a plate that is attached to the free end of the door leaf or in the form of a roller at the bottom of the door;
Door stop
This mechanism is used to adjust the opening width of the doorway. The stopper can be mounted both at the bottom and at the top of the web. The limiter not only reduces the possibility of the canvas sagging on the threshold, but also protects the canvas itself from impacts on the slopes and furniture elements.
Advice: if the door starts to close poorly, there is a draft or there are other minor problems, they should be corrected immediately. It is easier to immediately eliminate a small flaw, it is not only easier, but also cheaper. Don't let the little things become big breakdowns.
Outside handle
Handle - plastic petal
To close, or rather to pull, the door from the street side, it is imperative to provide a special external handle. Made of metal, more often - of durable plastic, the handle visually resembles a shell or petal in shape. A plastic shell is much nicer tactilely, especially in the cold season. But it is easier to break it with careless use, and the material itself tends to deteriorate with prolonged exposure to sunlight, negative temperatures and other external factors. The main advantages of a more expensive metal handle are resistance to mechanical stress and a long service life. Typically, the outer door pull handle is positioned at the same height as the swing handle of the lock. This position is very convenient for closing the door.
You can do without the outer shell handle only if the door lock mechanism is two-sided, that is, the inner and outer rotary handles of the lock are required.
Double-sided handle on a plastic door
The choice of external handles in specialized firms and construction supermarkets allows you to choose a copy with a convenient ergonomic shape and the desired color.
Installation of a multi-point lock
Multi-point locks are a complete door locking system. It consists of the following elements:
- the main mechanism, which is of the transom or transom type;
- auxiliary roller or flange lock;
- shtulp, connecting all elements of the castle into a single system;
- movable tire;
- additional trunnions.
Due to the complexity of the device and high accuracy during installation, it is not recommended to install the lock on your own.
Locks for plastic doors are quite diverse. Some of them can be installed independently (mortise lever or cylinder, electromagnetic, and so on), while others (multi-port) only with the help of specialists.
Each lock is unique in its own way and has a high degree of protection. For a long and trouble-free operation of the device, it is recommended to purchase locks from the most famous manufacturers.
Source: furni-info.ru/zamok-dlya-plastikovyh-dverej.html
Useful Tips
- When choosing a magnetic latch, it will not be superfluous to inquire about the amount of force applied to open the door. If this value is minimal, the door leaf may not fit tightly to the base of the frame; the door can be opened by a gust of wind and from a light accidental touch of a person or pets. The maximum values have their disadvantages - the contact of the latch plates will be accompanied by a noisy pop; when the door is closed more tightly, its rubber seal wears out faster.
- The latches produced are universal, they are compatible with most of the profiles used. But when buying, do not be too lazy to ask about the compatibility of the purchased mechanism with the profile of your balcony.
- A petal handle made of plastic will last longer if, while pulling the balcony door, you touch it with your hand not at one point, but along the maximum possible plane.
- The next tip takes into account real life situations. What should a person on the balcony (loggia) do if the door is jammed due to various technical reasons or a human factor? You should definitely not try to open it with strong blows and jolts. A possible result can be disappointing - deformation of the frame and door profiles, deformation or breakage of the hardware and door lock. After that, a complete replacement of the balcony block may be necessary. If you don't have to wait for help, knock out the glass unit. Replacing it is cheaper and quicker. An opaque sandwich panel installed at the bottom of the door leaf is very convenient in such a situation. It is both cheaper and breaks without the formation of numerous sharp fragments, like glass.
- If one latch with a magnetic strip does not hold the door in a draft, install another one.
- Sometimes, to securely hold the door leaf, it is necessary to adjust the distance between the strips of the magnetic latch when the door is closed. Washers placed under the bar help to reduce the gap. Their number is determined by the quality of the latch.
- When installing a double-sided handle on a door, it is advisable to purchase its multi-point version. In addition to its standard function, it can be locked with a button or key from the side of the room. This design will protect housing from unauthorized entry through the balcony in the absence of the owners.
- Changing the old mechanism does not have to drill new holes. It is enough to make installation in old places with screws of larger diameter.
For self-assembly, replacement of latches, it is advisable to use screws: not shorter than 30-35 mm - for fastening the roller cylinder with a safety margin; no longer than 19 mm - when installing the external handle (this ensures that the screw does not reach and does not damage the glass unit during installation or further use of the handle).
Clamps for every taste
The convenience of using a PVC door and its durability largely depend on the quality of the fittings.The concept of "basic configuration" in many respects speaks about the possibilities supplied with plastic windows and doors of locks - a minimum of functionality and the utmost simplicity of manufacture. Usually, such accessories are changed quickly enough, since there is plenty to choose from.
Let's name just a few of the most popular and reliable models:
- The simplest way to fix the door is to install the Palladium BL MAGNET magnetic latch. It is distinguished by the extreme simplicity of installation, if a more reliable holding is required, it is possible to install several magnetic elements.
- Roller latch WINKHAUS BK is similar to analogues installed on interior doors, but structurally much more reliable. The spring-loaded pressure jaws that hold the roller are softer and quieter than the plate grippers.
- The tongue latch Maco (Germany) is also considered a reliable lock, but structurally more complicated, more demanding on the quality of a plastic door and does not tolerate subsidence and distortions. With proper installation and operation, the retainer will last 7-10 years, if incorrectly, it will not last even a month.
- The Roto (Germany) balcony latch is available in all of the above options: magnetic, roller and tongue. So fans of this company can choose any castle to their liking.
- The most budgetary option is a balcony handle with a "Levsha" latch. The set consists of a fixed plastic handle and a simple roller latch. The roller is fixed by a U-shaped plate fixed in the grooves of the body.
- The advertised "smoker's pen" itself is not a lock. This is an ordinary handle on the outside of the door, which allows a person who has gone out for a smoke break to pull the door tightly behind him.
- Useful additions include a comb plate that keeps the door ajar for ventilation. The width of the slot is adjusted by choosing the appropriate slot.
All of the above latches are installed overhead and minimally violate the integrity of the door leaf. A large selection of various fittings for plastic doors and windows, which sells various goods for construction and repair, both of its own production and of third-party manufacturers. In the assortment of the store, you can also find door locks with a lock in the closed position with a button or a key.
Installing the latch
Getting started, you need to be sure that the balcony door is correctly adjusted and in the near future its position relative to the frame opening will not change. If necessary, you will have to independently set the position of the door leaf and the pressure to the frame when closing with the rotary handle. The door hinge screws will help with this. Now we proceed to the main installation. A screwdriver or a more convenient screwdriver will be enough from the tool; take a pencil for marking.
The easiest way is to install a magnetic latch. No special adjustment or precise installation is required. Both strips are simply attached at the same level - on the end of the door and the frame profile. A slight displacement of the relative position will not interfere with the correct operation of the latch.
Opposite the latch, make a mark with a pencil and fasten the striker in the center of the groove
Another thing is with the roller and latch mechanism. In both cases, the exact position of the slotted strip relative to the latch is required. Without hesitation and measurements, we attach the latch itself to the seat of the balcony sash. Opposite its center, we make a risk with a pencil and bring this line outward so that it is visible when the door is closed. Having closed the door, we note a similar risk at the same level, but on the frame. At this height, the gripping center of the striker should be located. Now we fix the bar with a latch along the mark with one screw and check the correct operation of the mating elements.If the result is negative, the bar is shifted and the performance is checked again. If further adjustment is not required, the bar is also attached with a second screw.
Installation of an electromagnetic lock
Electricity supply is required to connect the electromagnetic lock. The device is installed as follows:
- as with the installation of other types of locks, at the first stage, the holes are marked for the subsequent fastening of the device. The electromagnetic lock consists of two parts that are tightly adjacent to each other, therefore, the marking must be carried out as accurately as possible, and in turn - first one part, then the other;
It is recommended to install the device in the upper part of the door at the corner.
- holes are drilled in the marked places, the depth of which is equal to the size of the mounting screw;
- both parts of the electromagnetic lock are installed and fixed;
- each lock is accompanied by a connection instruction, according to which electric wires are started and terminals are connected;
- at the last stage, the connection to the power source is made and the operability of the mechanism is checked. If any problems are found, then steps 3-5 must be checked and, if necessary, corrected.
If desired or necessary, additional devices can be connected to such a lock, for example, a door closer or video intercom.
Important points: what to look for
Deaf transoms are used to increase the rigidity in the doors of the double-leaf type. Using a sheet strip clip, the transoms are connected.
In order for the door to retain its original presentable appearance and functionality during operation, it is important to pay special attention to the arrangement of the threshold. In the classical design, the lower bars of the doors are similar to those of the window. In this case, it is necessary to cut the flooring into the inner box.
In this case, the flooring must be cut into the inner box.
For the convenience of using a threshold with a separate box, you need to use a concrete tray.
In order for the threshold to serve as long as possible, the open part of the bar near the door frame should be reinforced with an iron strip and painted. When the device of a concrete tray is inappropriate, you can use a solid board, equipping the threshold with a minimum height. It is considered to be 10 mm from the bottom of the door to the floor.
