Latches for balcony plastic doors

Latches are one of the types of necessary fittings that are constantly used on balcony blocks. Thanks to these devices, the doors cannot spontaneously swing open, which keeps the door hinges from sagging prematurely and contributes to a comfortable stay on the balcony. Most often they are used as auxiliary elements to ensure the convenience of door manipulation.

On the market, latches are represented by a number of devices that have their pros and cons. Their correct choice depends on the operating conditions and ultimately determines the degree of wear resistance, durability of both the latches themselves and the door leaves. The installation of latches is relatively simple, but has its own nuances, depending on their modifications.

Latches for plastic balcony doors are useful and practical accessories with their irreplaceable functionality. Structurally, they are different, but the principle of their action is simple and the same (similar to the functioning of clamps for kitchen furniture items) - provides convenient manipulation of the sashes without applying serious efforts. In the closed state of the shutters (with the open position of the main locking devices), even sharp wind loads will not change their position.

There is also another, colloquial name for such latches - "latches for smokers." How and why smokers use them is quite understandable and without much explanation. With all the practicality of these products, it is better, of course, to quit smoking, and use the latches for their intended purpose. The use of latches becomes all the more obvious if a one-sided lock is installed in the sashes, the handle of which is mounted from the inside. Then you simply cannot do without a latch, going out onto the balcony, it will be impossible to close the doors.

In other words, the main function of the latches is to fix the doors in order to avoid their spontaneous opening. It is important to take into account that latches absolutely do not protect against burglaries. Such an addition makes it possible to easily open the sash, confidently hold it in place in the wind or small deformations of the position, protect the product from the quick sagging of the hinges, extending their service life.

All retainers are divided into three types:

• fallopian;
• roller;
• magnetic.

There are other methods for fixing the valves. We are talking about external locking elements (in contrast to the main locks, rotary models, arranged differently) - latches, latches and wraps. Sometimes they are used as a lock from children, but depending on the age of the child and his height, such designs do not always justify themselves.

Structurally, such products consist of a body part and a spring-loaded tongue - these are classic devices that are used everywhere. The locking mechanism with the holder holding the sash is fixed to the profile frame. To preserve the plastic material, a special metal striker is placed on the frame. The retaining tongue goes deep enough into the frame profile, preventing the doors from opening, even in strong winds.

However, it is not without its drawbacks - to open the sash, you need to press the handle. In other words, an additional element will need to be mounted from the back of the door leaf. Therefore, such insurance against involuntary opening is used when locks are installed with a latch lock. This is usually done during the operation of assembling doors that are assembled from plastic parts. They are attached to the outside of the sashes (non-cut).

Roller door stoppers are quite common hardware elements, the advantages of which are simplicity and reliability. The latch itself includes only two parts, one of them is attached to the sash, and the other to the profile part of the frame. The product is well thought out and repeatedly tested, which does not allow sagging of the shutters, which significantly increases their service life. It got its name due to a cylindrical part installed on the sash and coinciding in location with a recess in the frame plate. When the door is closed, the parts are aligned, and the cylinder penetrates into the plate - the sash is locked.

Often, such latches are grouped with mechanical ball-type devices, but these mechanisms are different, although their operation schemes are largely similar. The difference is that the ball valves are cut into the frames, and the roller ones are simply screwed onto the profile. Over time, the plates wear out, begin to hold the cylinder poorly.

There is another, rarely mentioned, but effective type of latches - sliding. Structurally, it combines the functions of a lock and a latch. These devices do not have handles, therefore they are opened from the inside, and from the outside - with a key. Such models often have a latch that allows you to hide the spring-loaded deadbolt in its body part. If it is hidden and locked, then spontaneous closing of the mechanism is excluded. In this case, the door remains unlocked in the closed position and can open involuntarily.

Simple and effective magnetic type latches, which include two elements. Their body part with a magnet tongue is mounted on the frame, and a special steel plate is attached to the sash. Although the latch contains metal elements, its actuation is virtually silent.

The density of mutual pressing is determined by the model of the device (the force of the magnet action). It is worth paying attention to this when purchasing a product - cheap models may simply not provide the required pressing force, and the door will hold weakly.

In addition, magnets tend to demagnetize over time, then their replacement will become necessary, the product will simply stop working. These products are convenient, as they have a high degree of reliability, noiseless operation, durability, ease of installation, and they simply cannot jam.

Here are a number of criteria for choosing clips for PVC balcony doors:

• constructive varieties;
• materials for the production of products;
• production culture.

For the selection of the appropriate device, it is important to consider a number of points:

• the frequency of exits to the balcony space;
• aesthetic perception of the product;
• budgetary aspect;
• the level of complexity of installation.

If the sash rarely opens, and there are no tobacco lovers among the residents, then feel free to purchase a simple mechanical device. In this case, the process of subsidence of the hinges will be slow, and therefore roller or other latches will hold out in a functional state for a long time.

If you need to visit the balcony more often, a magnetic device will be the best option. Fixing and unlocking the sash will become easier, the latch will continue to operate even in case of distortions. By the way, the plus of this product lies in the fact that it is small in size and less noticeable, and its installation is simple to the limit. The only negative is the high price tag.

The produced clamps are universal, and this makes it possible to use them with typical profiles of different types. However, when purchasing a product, it is worth making inquiries about its compatibility with your home profile.

It is quite possible to install the product without the help of a specialist. Arm yourself with a pencil, tape measure, screwdriver or screwdriver, self-tapping screws - 30-35 mm and 19-25 mm. First, make sure that the sash is adjusted correctly, that there are no distortions. The faulty sash must be adjusted. If necessary, it will be necessary to set the position of the door leaf yourself, that is, the degree of its adherence to the frame when closing with a rotary handle. This is where the hinge screws come in handy.

Installation of latches (both roller and latch) is performed in a certain sequence. Installing the device is easy.

1. Choosing an installation location. It should be picked up near the handle, since the main effort is applied there. However, you can install it in different places. We take out the screw near the handle - the latch plate will be installed here. The latch part is fixed with a self-tapping screw from the product kit. If there is no self-tapping screw, then we select a screw - 30-35 mm.
2. On the sash part, we mark the location of the part, and then we make the appropriate risks on the frame. If self-tapping screws are used for installation, then there is no point in going through the holes - the plastic is quite malleable, the screws are screwed in without much effort, and the process of passing the holes can harm the glass unit.
3. We attach the counter plate so that the groove recess is aligned with the roller. We produce fasteners with self-tapping screws - 19-25 mm. Latches with separate latch handles are mounted in a slightly different, more complex order, they should be cut in.
4. Before installing the magnetic catch, it is important to fix the degree of displacement of the groove element on the profile. The size can be 9 or 13 mm. In accordance with this, we select a counter plate made of metal, which has a different distance to the fastener holes. On the plate of the main shutter, above or below the handle, remove the screw, and then fasten the counter bar with a self-tapping screw to the sash.
5. We close the door so as to leave the smallest gap, and mark the levels of the attached plank (top and bottom) on the frame of the balcony space. We insert the body part of the latch with the tongue into the groove recess of the profile and fix it in such a way that its upper and lower levels coincide with the previously made markings.
6. We fasten the body part of the retainer to the profile with self-tapping screws. We check the health of the system.

A few helpful tips in conclusion.

1. When choosing a magnetic latch, one should be interested in the level of force required to open the door. At minimum values, it is quite possible that the door leaf does not fit tightly to the frame base.
2. The range of these parameters is such that the doors can open at minimal wind loads of the wind, when touched by a child or animals. The most significant disadvantages are that the triggering of the plates will become noisy, annoying you with unpleasant sounds.
3. With an excessively tight junction of the doors, the rubber seals are more likely to wear out.The produced clamps are universalized, they are combined with many used profiles. Such an ability to combine, the degree of standardization of products should be inquired when purchasing them.
4. If the door is jammed, and you are on the balcony, then you should not try to open it with jerks, using all your power. Significant deformation of the profiles, breakdown of the balcony system and the castle can be quite likely results. After that, you may have to completely change the system. If you have nowhere to wait for the assistants, then it is better to carefully knock out the double-glazed window, the replacement of which will not be too expensive for you, it will be executed sooner. In such cases, it is extremely appropriate to use special sandwich panels installed at the bottom of the door leaves. They are lower in cost, and break practically without dangerous fragments like glass products.
5. If a single magnetic latch weakly holds the door in drafts, then it is easier to install another one.
6. Often, for a tighter hold of the sash, it becomes necessary to adjust the distance between the strips of the magnetic latch when the leaf is closed. Washers inserted under them will help to reduce the resulting gaps, the number of which is determined by the quality of the latch functioning.
7. If you are installing the 2-sided grip version, you should buy the multi-locking grip version. Since, in addition to the basic functions, the product either has a button lock, or allows you to bury it with a key from inside the room (a kind of anti-vandal option).
8. If it's time to change your old device, then you shouldn't go through the holes again. It is possible to install in the same places with larger fasteners.
9. When installing without a master, use screws of at least 30-35 mm, fixing the roller cylinder with a safety margin and not more than 19 mm, installing an external handle (then the screw is guaranteed not to harm the glass unit during installation and operation).

How to install latches on a balcony door, see the video below.