Adjusting metal-plastic doors yourself. We adjust the plastic balcony door correctly! How to straighten a sagging door

Plastic windows and doors are an excellent option for apartments and houses. But they do not last forever, and it happens that problems arise with the balcony door. If this happens during the warranty period, professionals from the installer will deal with the problem completely free of charge. But after the warranty ends, repairs can be expensive. We will tell you how to properly adjust the plastic balcony door do it yourself and save money.

When the door needs adjustment

Balcony doors made of metal-plastic usually do not require preventive adjustment. If you have no complaints about how they work, then you don’t need to do anything.

But if you notice that the door is starting to function differently than it should, then this is a sure sign that adjustment is necessary.

The most common signs are the following.

We make the adjustment ourselves

Whatever the cause of the problem, you may need the following tools to fix it:


When sagging

If, when opening, the balcony door touches the frame with the lower edge of the sash, the sagging should be eliminated by adjusting it. To do this, the door leaf is “moved” up and shifted to its upper hinge.

Step by step instructions:


Pay attention! Some hardware systems are equipped with adjusting screws for an asterisk key, and not for a standard hexagon. If necessary, it is better to buy such a key in advance.

When touched in the middle part

In this case, the sash needs to be moved closer to the hinges.


Usually this procedure is enough for the sash to stop clinging to the frame.

Pressure adjustment

Adjustment of the force of pressing the door leaf to the frame is carried out using locking elements. They are located on the sash itself. Most fittings are equipped with locking elements in the form of eccentrics. Rotate them using pliers or an adjusting wrench until the pressure is optimal.

To achieve greater efficiency, before the adjustment process, read the corresponding diagrams in the instructions or on the hardware manufacturer’s website.

Pressure adjustment

It is usually recommended to adjust the pressure twice a year: in the winter, set a tighter pressure, in the summer - looser.

Handle adjustment

This is the most simple task, which you can easily cope with in a short time. A common problem with handles is that they become loose over time.

Handle adjustment

  1. Rotate the plastic cap at the base of the pen 90 degrees.
  2. Tighten the exposed screws with a screwdriver. Do this carefully so as not to damage the pen body.
  3. If the play does not disappear after tightening the screws, this may indicate a crack in the handle body. In this case, the handle needs to be replaced.

Preventative measures for problems

It is very important to be able to correctly adjust balcony doors in case of problems. But it’s even more useful to know how to prevent these problems, or at least make sure you encounter them as little as possible.

  1. When choosing windows and balcony doors made of metal-plastic profiles, pay attention to the characteristics of the fittings. They must exactly match the weight of the door leaf. Most fitting systems from modern manufacturers Allows installation of sashes weighing up to 130 kg. Usually this is enough.
  2. The so-called microlift, or sagging compensator, will help prevent the sash from sagging due to its own weight. This detail is necessary for heavy door leaves with large dimensions or with a two-chamber package. The design of this element can be different: from a small lever on the side of the sash to a roller on its lower part.
  3. Install an opening limiter - a special support rail. This will help prevent the sash from jamming and sagging.

In addition, it will be useful to check the installation of the door. Please pay attention to the following parameters:

  • how tightly the door is pressed against the frame profile around the perimeter;
  • whether there is a vertical displacement of the sash;
  • How static is the door leaf when in the open position.

If the installation of the plastic balcony door was carried out correctly, then you may need adjustment very soon.

Video about the process of adjusting a plastic balcony door

By using our advice, you will protect yourself from unnecessary financial expenses. Share with us your experience in adjusting PVC doors. Good luck to you!

Plastic doors are widely used in houses, apartments, offices and shops: they are used as balconies, interior doors, and entrance doors. This is a great alternative wooden doors, and such products better protect against noise, dust, and have a large margin of safety. May require adjustment over time plastic doors, which is easy to do yourself.

When is adjustment required?

Even if you did not skimp on quality and purchased an expensive one from a trusted manufacturer, this does not mean that in a few years the door will not need to be adjusted. This problem is associated with many factors:

  • Shrinkage of the building.
  • Incorrect installation.
  • Incorrect operation.
  • Sagging of the structure due to its own weight.

In order to know exactly how to adjust , You can watch how the installers do it. Over time, this skill may come in handy.

You can find out that the doors require adjustment if drafts appear, the door begins to open or close poorly, or is no longer parallel to the frame. To determine how tightly the structure fits, you can use a regular sheet of paper, which must be placed between the door frame and the frame itself. When sealed tightly, it will not be possible to pull out the sheet. If it comes out easily or falls out, it means the fit in that area is weak.

The sash could have moved due to frequent temperature changes, weakening of the door mechanism, which is why it begins to touch the frame elements. It is also necessary to adjust the plastic door in a situation where, when opening, it touches the threshold. When setting up, look at the handle: it may dangle or fly out of its socket, also requiring adjustment. The canvas may not fit tightly to the frame due to wear of the seal, which will need to be replaced.

Having determined the malfunction, you will understand what kind of adjustment of plastic doors you need on your own; The instructions for all actions are simple and accessible to any owner. can be adjusted in three directions; for this you will need to prepare the tools in advance. You will need two screwdrivers: flat and Phillips, hexagon, tape measure, plastic spacers, pliers.

A properly adjusted door should be stable in any position

Vertical adjustment

The hinges are adjusted using a special screw located on them. When it rotates, the door will lower or rise. This method is used if the sash touches the threshold or the seal in the lower or upper part has dents.

Before starting work, you will need to remove the cap from the adjusting screw, which is located on the lower hinge. It is located along its axis. You can rotate the screws using a hexagon. When turning the mechanism clockwise, the blade will rise, and in the opposite direction, the blade will lower.


Adjusting the height of a plastic balcony door

Horizontal adjustment

This type of adjustment is needed if the blade is sagging. Most often this happens due to the large mass of the structure. The height of the plastic door is adjusted when the leaf is open. To do this, you need to unscrew the screws from the upper hinges, then you need to close the sash, remove the covers on the hinges covering the screws for adjustment. Adjustment occurs using the longest fastener element in a horizontal position.

If there is a skew, you will need to tighten this screw on the upper and central hinges; the one located higher should be tightened more tightly. If you don't know how to tighten the plastic balcony door so that it sits straight, loosen all the horizontal screws and adjust them together.


Adjustment door leaf horizontally in the top loop
Horizontal door adjustment in the bottom hinge

Pressure debugging

You need to know not only how to adjust a plastic balcony door yourself , but also when it is required to do this. For example, the pressure needs to be monitored constantly, and not just when you notice a problem. IN summer time plastic expands due to high temperatures, so the clamp must be loosened to winter time on the contrary, it needs to be strengthened to eliminate drafts, since expansion will cease to occur. The installation of a plastic door to a balcony is quite simple, so you only need a hex key to operate it. Locate the locking type trunnion on the frame. There is a special notch on this structural element that will help determine the degree of clamping density. Rotating the notch towards the frame will provide weakening, and in the opposite direction - strengthening.

If the position of the adjustment screws is extreme, the adjustment will not be effective. In this case, you will have to resort to adjusting the position of the glass unit. Pull out the glazing beads that secure it, install gaskets in the right places; this can be done using a special device - a spatula. You can get rid of the distortion by choosing the right place for the gasket and taking into account its thickness. After this, the glazing beads can be returned to their place.


Adjusting the door leaf pressure

Replacing the seal

If plastic doors have not been adjusted independently for quite a long time, and the door has been used skewed, noticeable deformation of the sealing material often occurs. It will need to be changed: you can buy a new one at a hardware store. Pay attention to the shape and cross-section of the purchased material - they must match the old one.

You can remove a seal that has become unusable from the groove using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove dirt and glue build-up, apply a new layer of it, insert a fresh seal so that it does not stretch or sag.

Debugging the state of handles

These products can become loose or, conversely, turn tightly, preventing the door from opening normally. In the first case, the plastic entrance door is adjusted using screws located on the handle. To do this, you need to remove the protective cover by tightening them with a screwdriver.

The second version of the problem will require different efforts. To fix the problem, you will need to adjust the door leaf. How to adjust hinges on plastic doors , described above. If you have installed the blade correctly, but the defect in the handle has not disappeared, it will need to be replaced. This is easy to do: you need to unscrew the two screws that hold the product, pull out the handle, replace it with a new one and screw the screws in place.


Handle adjustment
  • In order to protect the door from damage and eliminate the need for frequent adjustments, you can install an opening limiter. This device will protect the hinges from becoming loose, as it will prevent them from touching the door jamb.
  • Another useful device is a microlift. It takes on the weight of the door leaf in the closed position and prevents it from sagging.
  • To extend the service life of the seal, it must be treated with silicone grease.
  • You can't hang anything on the door handle.
  • All parts of the opening mechanism must be lubricated regularly

Following these simple rules will extend the life of the door, avoiding frequent adjustments.

PVC balcony doors have become so commonplace in life that many take them for granted. Therefore, the appearance of problems in their operation is a complete surprise for the owners. Many people are in a panic and are urgently looking for phone numbers of repairmen. Experience shows: in such situations there is no need to rush. It is not difficult to identify the problem yourself and fix it, because adjusting plastic balcony doors with your own hands is not such a difficult matter.

For those who are new to this type of repair, we will provide detailed instructions on how to adjust the plastic door on the balcony yourself.

When do you need to adjust the door?

In the world, only accidents and disasters happen instantly. All other problems mature gradually. This thesis fully applies to the balcony door. As it is used, its geometry and clamping force gradually change, which over time, if appropriate measures are not taken, can lead to the replacement of fittings, either completely or individual elements. It is quite easy to diagnose and fix problems at an early stage.

1.The clamping force can be checked in several ways:

  • bring a burning match or candle to a closed door. If the flame begins to sparkle, it means there are drafts between the frame and the door;
  • insert paper into the gap between the frame and the door leaf. If it easily pulls out from under the closed door, it is necessary to make appropriate adjustments. Each side should be checked.

The ideal option is if the paper sheet is pulled out with the same force on all sides of the sash - the geometry is not broken, and the pressing force, if necessary, can be easily adjusted.

2. The most difficult case is when the geometry of the door begins to change. There are also several methods for early diagnosis:

  • open the door 45 o and leave for a short time. If it spontaneously, without the help of the wind, completely opened or closed, the door sagged due to the weakening of the upper hinge;
  • go out onto the balcony. Close the door. Along the inner perimeter door frame, using its edge as a ruler, draw on the door a diagram of its fit to the frame profile. The lines should be parallel to the edges of the door, and the width of all drawn stripes should be the same. Any deviations require a new adjustment of the door hardware.

Attention: different vertical strip widths, for example, on the handle side 5-6 mm, and on the hinge side 3-4 mm, are more likely to indicate a manufacturing defect than the need for adjustment work.

  • carefully inspect the seals. If the geometry is broken, some of them will be deformed (crumpled) differently.

If time is lost, For successful repair it is necessary to establish the cause of the malfunction:

  • the lower part of the door began to cling to the door frame threshold. The reason is always the heavy weight of the door. Door fittings are designed for weights up to 120-135 kg. The door together with the single-chamber double-glazed window weighs 35-40 kg. With an increase in the number of chambers, glass thickness or glazing area, the weight of the door approaches 60 kg, which is critical for hinges from any manufacturer. The metal of the awnings simply gets tired during the operation of the door, as a result of which the sash sags;
  • the door leaf clings to the door frame in the middle. There are two possible reasons for this: the door profile has been deformed outwards or it is moving to the side under the influence of high temperature(the door leaf expands, and the hinges push it onto the frame from the front side);
  • the door doesn't close well– in the pressed position, the handle does not engage the trunnions into the striker (in the language of specialists, the striker). There are also two reasons: the door has settled, as a result of which the eccentrics (hooks) of the locking plate do not reach the grooves of the striker; the profile of the door leaf was deformed inward, pulling the hooks along with it - they stopped reaching the answer, or the frame bent outward with the same result;
  • the door leaf does not fit tightly to the frame. In order not to blow, it is necessary to adjust the trunnions and the response;
  • the handle is jammed– the door was opened too quickly;
  • the handle is loose or broken. This happens when the door leaf is used intensively;
  • glass cracked in double glazed unit– there is a distortion in the profile of the door leaf;
  • the plastic of the door frame or door leaf is cracked– the reason is the shrinkage of the house, not the door.

Adjusting balcony doors

Regardless of the reasons for the problems at the doors to the balcony, to adjust them you will need:

  • furniture keys No. 4 and 5;
  • slotted and Phillips screwdriver;
  • construction square;
  • pliers;
  • plastic gaskets.

Tools available. Now let's look at how to adjust a plastic balcony door in each specific case.

Pens

It is not possible to adjust the balcony door using the handle. It only removes the locking plate pins from the strike grooves (opens the door) or fixes them there (closes). Intensive use often complicates this process: the handle does not work well. Problems can be easily corrected by carrying out DIY repairs. The main thing is to figure out what happened. Pen:

  • loosened;
  • broke;
  • jammed;
  • turns hard.

She became loose. A weak fit of the handle on the door (it wobbles in your hands) indicates loose hardware holding it in place. The problem can be resolved very simply: the bar covering the fastening plate must be slightly pulled towards you, and then turned 90 o (see photo). Using a screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver, tighten the screws until they stop. Return the bar to its place.

The handle is broken. The technology process is similar to the previous type of repair:

  1. the bar is pulled back and turned to the side;
  2. the screws are completely unscrewed;
  3. the broken handle is removed;
  4. a new handle is placed in the same position as the old one (depending on whether the door is open or closed);
  5. the mounting plate is attached;
  6. the cover is returned to its place.

Jammed. Due to careless, or rather, hasty opening of the doors, the locking mechanism does not always have time to work, after which the handle cannot be turned - it jams. This situation is not uncommon, but is only possible with doors that open in 2 planes.

The lock protects the locking mechanism from further manipulations with the handle of the open door - if you turn the handle in the open door to the “ventilation” position, you can damage all the fittings.

The locking mechanism is attached to the end of the door immediately below the handle mechanism (a number of manufacturers produce fittings with a lock at the bottom of the door leaf). At the same time it may have different type and a method for removing the blockade from the handle, which is clearly visible in the photo above.

For Maco fittings, you need to press the latch and move it to the “vertical down” position, and then change the position of the handle. For other hardware manufacturers, it is enough to press the locking tongue that holds the handle against the end of the door and also turn the door handle.

Difficult to turn. The problem of a hard-to-turn handle arises in one case - preventive maintenance work on the fittings was not carried out for a long time. Due to accumulated dirt, the locking bars are difficult to move. The repair is simple - just clean the fittings and then lubricate all metal parts. The process of lubrication of fittings can be seen in work: “” - it is the same as for a Euro-window.

Important: if the handle is difficult to turn when the door leaf is pressed tightly against the door frame, the problem is in the trunnions and strikers. The repair is simple - or transfer the axles to summer mode, or place thin, no thicker than 1 mm spacers under the striker plates.

Clamp

The simplest type of adjustment is to set the pressing force of the door to the frame. During door installation, installers install the standard (medium) option for the sealing rubber bands to fit each other. Over time, they wear out and the balance is disrupted. You can adjust the pressure of the balcony door in 2 ways: turn the locking bar pins or adjust the strike plate (Euro windows do not have this option).

The axle (eccentric) can be found at the ends of the door:

  • two or three on the front side;
  • one or two on the back;
  • 1 – top and bottom (if a tilting mechanism is installed).

Different manufacturers have different looks, which can be clearly seen in the photograph:

  • locking eccentric, regulates the pressing force - the first one in the photo;
  • anti-burglary locking eccentric with adjustable clamping force – medium;
  • locking anti-burglary eccentric (adjusts the lifting height of the toe and the clamping force) – the third.

The trunnion can be in 3 positions:

  • neutral or standard, with medium downforce;
  • summer – weak pressure;
  • in winter - the pressure is as strong as possible.

You can determine the clamping force by the mark on the eccentric or its position. For an oval, a vertical position means weak pressure (translated for summer), at an angle - standard, horizontal - strong ( winter period). The round eccentric has a risk. If it is turned towards the street - a summer version of the clamp, into an apartment - a winter one, upwards - a medium one.

You can change the position of the trunnion using a hexagon (furniture wrench) or pliers. Sometimes the eccentric needs to be pulled towards you to make adjustments. Pliers ( spanner) will be required for Maso products, where the eccentrics are oval.

The mechanisms of the Roto fittings are adjusted with a furniture key. Some models of balcony door fittings have the ability to adjust the pressure through the strike plate. To do this, it has an adjusting screw for a hex key (see photo, option “A”). Turning it clockwise strengthens the pressure, turning it counterclockwise weakens it.

You can also change the tightness of the upper corner of the door in the hinge area using the adjusting screw on the folding scissors. To do this, the door leaf must be opened in two positions at once. First, it swings open, after which the lock latch is pressed against the fittings, and the handle is moved to the “ventilation” position. After this, the door closes a little and leans back.

The plate of the scissors has an adjusting bolt for a furniture key (see photo). By twisting it, the downforce is increased, and by unscrewing it, it is weakened.

When sagging

Eliminating the problem of a door clinging to the threshold is carried out using adjusting screws in each hinge, which are responsible for changing the horizontal position of the door. At the same time, we note that a sash with two opening modes has 2 hinges, and with one - 3. Therefore, with three hinges, adjustments must be made on each of them.

To eliminate the problem, you need to raise the lower corner opposite the upper loop. To do this, the top of the door is pulled towards the hinge, and the bottom, on the contrary, is pressed away from it. If necessary, the sash can be raised slightly.

The work is carried out in the following order:

  • the door opens to 90 o (a smaller angle is possible, but adjustment in this case is quite difficult);
  • Use a hex key to tighten the adjusting screw 2 turns;
  • on the middle loop, tighten the screw half a turn;
  • Unscrew the screw on the hinge at the bottom of the door one turn (counterclockwise);
  • close the door and look at the position of the lower corner, as well as the position of the hooks in relation to the strike plate.

If the door still clings to the threshold, the adjustment process must be continued, but the number of revolutions must be reduced. Often, after aligning the door, the hooks of the bolt either do not fit into the striker at all, or do not secure the door well. In this case, the counterplate is rearranged. The problem can be solved by lifting the door leaf upward.

To do this, the screw located in the lower loop (responsible for the vertical) must be tightened as the clock progresses. To have access to it, you need to remove decorative elements loops. The hex key is inserted into the loop itself from above.

Attention: from the companies "Rehau" and "Veka" door hinges different. To configure them you need different tools. But the adjustment technology is the same.

When touching the middle part

Now let's look at how to adjust the balcony door if it touches the frame with the middle part. The step-by-step procedure is as follows: using the horizontal adjustment screws, the door leaf moves towards the hinges. First you need to tighten in the area of ​​the bottom loop, then the top.

Here the opposite problem is possible: the hooks do not reach the gaps in the strikers. In this case, using horizontal adjusting screws, the engagement of the locking plate hooks into the grooves of the strike plate on the front side of the door is adjusted. From the back you can:

  • eliminate deformation of the door leaf by using a gasket between the double-glazed window and the door profile;
  • adjust the strikers for the hooks in a new way - place plastic pads under them.

How to switch a balcony door from one mode to another

Balcony doors, like plastic windows, it is necessary to adjust the clamping force twice a year. Unfortunately, the vast majority of owners forget about this.

For winter mode

There is nothing complicated about how to adjust a plastic balcony door for the winter:

  1. open the door;
  2. we inspect its ends from all sides - the locations of the eccentrics are determined;
  3. with a furniture key (pliers) all eccentrics are transferred to winter mode. Oval in a horizontal position, round with a mark towards the room.

If everything is done correctly, during cold weather there will be no blowing into all the cracks and holes.

For summer mode

As the weather warms up, the pressure on the seals must be loosened. Otherwise they will wear out quickly. To do this, the trunnions on the open door are adjusted. They must be set to “summer mode” - oval vertically, round with a mark towards the street.

Preventative maintenance of the balcony door

In order for plastic doors to serve for a long time and not create problems for their owners, they need to be installed regularly at the beginning of winter and summer:

  • Remove dirt and then wash. First, the plastic (door frame and door leaf) is washed, then the glass unit. It is necessary to wash the balcony door both from the outside and from the inside. Cleaning solutions should not contain aggressive chemicals (acids and alkalis) and abrasives. A variety of cleaning compounds are used for glass. homemade or purchased in a store (“Seconda Super”, “Synergetic”, etc.) It is better to wipe plastic parts with a soft cloth or sponge, and the glass unit with special napkins or a rubber scraper;
  • Wash, dry, and then lubricate the rubber seals and metal parts of the shut-off valves;
  • Adjust the eccentrics for the coming season.

Conclusion

Problems that arise during the operation of a balcony door are mainly eliminated by various types of adjustments:

  • poor sealing pressure can be eliminated by adjusting the trunnions;
  • the sagging door is raised with horizontal adjusting screws;
  • you can lift the door without changing the location of the corners relative to the frame using a screw inside the lower canopy;
  • Deformation of the door profile is removed by installing a side gasket under the double-glazed window; frame deformation is removed by installing a gasket under the strikers.

Video on the topic

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 highest quality windows and 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, the door leaf clings to the door frame;
  • the lock handle is difficult to turn or, conversely, is too loose;
  • when the lock is open, the door does not stay closed;
  • 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 the sheet is pressed unevenly in different parts of the door perimeter, then it is necessary to adjust the pressure.

Self-adjustment of a 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 closed tightly (winter mode) some parts 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 when 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 tightness of the door to the frame is adjusted differently in different models:

  1. 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.
  2. 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 of the door block, for minimum pressure it should be given a direction parallel to it.
  3. 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 method of adjusting a door with double glazed windows. Carefully prying it 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 fix a double-glazed window from the inside and outside.

Plastic door handles are characterized by 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 is used skewed for a long time, 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.

Adjusting a plastic balcony door is a process during which you can eliminate various minor problems that mar the operation of this system.

If you want to learn how to adjust the pressure of balcony doors with your own hands, then read the article.

More information about the operation of double-glazed windows

Plastic windows and doors are an excellent alternative to traditional wooden window and door structures.

They reliably block street noise, protect the home from drafts and fit well into any, both classic and ultra-modern interior.

The main disadvantage of such structures is the fact that they require frequent adjustment. During operation, balcony double-glazed windows may become loose.

What to do when the balcony door does not close well? Is it possible to fix this problem yourself, without involving third-party specialists? Absolutely yes.

How do you understand that you should adjust the pressure on a door made of plastic?

This should be done when you have to make excessive efforts to open the door or when the handle that unlocks the locking mechanism does not do its job well.


Timely adjustment, carried out with your own hands for preventive purposes, will protect the glass unit structure from serious damage and significantly increase its service life.

Carry out a simple test that will allow you to understand that the design of the balcony door needs to adjust the pressure.

Open the door ten to fifteen centimeters and watch its movement. If the selected interval remains for a long time (in the absence of drafts), then there is no need to worry.

If the door closes on its own or, conversely, opens completely, then care should be taken to adjust the clamping mechanism.

Pick up a building level and use it to measure the position of the bottom and top of the glass unit relative to the floor.

If there is even a slight misalignment, the door should be repaired by adjusting its pressure to the jamb.

If you neglect this work, you can achieve a significant distortion of the structure, which will lead to the appearance of drafts.

It is worth noting that adjusting the pressure of the balcony door can be carried out not only in the presence of certain problems that arise during the long-term operation of this structure, but also to increase comfort.

For example, in the summer you can loosen the pressure on the structure to create natural ventilation of the room, and in winter, on the contrary, you can strengthen it to ensure that there are no cracks or drafts.

The instruction manual for double-glazed windows contains information on how to do it yourself at home.

In addition, you can learn how to adjust the door position yourself, using only available materials, by watching several training videos on the Internet.

How to adjust a plastic balcony door?

To independently adjust the operation of the plastic balcony door mechanism, you should use certain tools and materials.

You will need:

  • screwdrivers of different sizes, equipped with flat and Phillips profiles;
  • pliers or pliers;
  • hex or star keys;
  • roulette;
  • a simple pencil or erasable marker;
  • high-quality rolled gaskets made of PVC and equipped with an adhesive layer.

In some cases, to repair a balcony door, you may also need liquid plastic, which hardens when exposed to air.

The position of the balcony door, made of plastic, can be adjusted both frontally, horizontally and vertically.

During the horizontal adjustment, the gap that forms between the glass panel and the hinge post is adjusted.

During vertical adjustment, the height of the suspension is leveled relative to the door leaf. During the frontal adjustment, you can adjust the pressure of the glass unit.

The adjusting screws with which the door structure is equipped are hidden under special decorative seals or panels.

You can remove them by lifting them with the flat of a thin knife or small screwdriver, or by unscrewing them using a small hex key.

Instructions for use of plastic door design contains information regarding the adjustment of its operation.

If, using it, you cannot eliminate the existing problem, then you should not try to fix it yourself at all costs.

Otherwise, you can damage the door leaf or disrupt the operation of the structure's clamping mechanism.

The need for frequent adjustment of plastic balcony doors can be reduced by such details as microlifts and opening limiters.

They are able to evenly distribute the weight of the door leaf over all fasteners and ensure smooth operation when opening and closing.

Common problems with plastic doors and their solutions

In this paragraph of the article, you can familiarize yourself with the most common problems that arise during the operation of plastic door structures and learn how to fix them with your own hands in a short time.

If the balcony door opens and closes poorly and during these processes clings to the doorway on the side of the latch mechanism, then you need to loosen or, conversely, increase the tension of the hinges.

To do this, turn the lower, middle and upper adjustment screws one or two turns in a clockwise direction.

If the door sags and touches the threshold when closing, then only the tension of the upper and middle screws should be adjusted, and the tension of the lower one should be left unchanged.

To adjust the position of the screws, use a 5mm hex or torx wrench.

To adjust the position connecting strips you need to use similar keys with a diameter of two and a half millimeters.

To adjust the door pressure, turn the eccentrics located on the back of the hinges.

Please note that some door mechanisms are not equipped with eccentrics, but with trunnions, which can only be turned using pliers.

Incorrect position of the door leaf can cause problems affecting the opening and closing of the door.

What to do when you have to make a lot of effort to open the door? The adjustment work described above should be carried out.

If the door is installed correctly and all adjusting screws are tightened, and the handle still turns with force, then it should be replaced.

To strengthen the loose handle of the balcony door, you should tighten the screws responsible for attaching it to the plastic structure.

This can be done using a plastic screwdriver. The screws connecting the handle and the door are located under the plastic trim.

A deformed door seal made of polyvinyl chloride fabric can be replaced with a new one. Please note: there are several types of these seals.

To understand their differences and buy exactly the one you need, you should come to the store either with a sample of the seal or with a technical passport issued by the company that installed the door structure.

You can remove the deformed seal yourself using a flat-head screwdriver.

The groove in which the seal was located should be cleaned of residual glue and debris, degreased, and a new layer of glue or liquid plastic should be poured into it.

After the glue “sets”, you should apply a new layer of insulation to it and wait for the structure to fully adhere.

Adjusting plastic balcony doors is a simple process that you can handle yourself.

To reinforce your confidence in the success of adjusting the door structure, you should watch several thematic videos on the Internet and be sure to read the operating instructions for the plastic product.