The latch on the door

Despite the mass of all kinds of door latches, latches have not lost their popularity. From the material in this article, you will learn what they are, how to choose and use them.

Door latch - a device that fixes doors in a closed state. Its design is nothing more than a small metal plate with a moving lever. This door locking system is convenient for ease of installation and operation. Its design can be cut-in or built-in.

The latches are called latches. In addition to fixing doors, they are used for furniture and window sashes. They are bought for installation on garage doors, entrance gates, gates, storage rooms, doors of private and country houses. They are intended for indoor and outdoor use.

Their main difference from the classic lock is the one-way opening principle. It cannot be opened from the outside. However, latches are not a substitute for classic locks. These are just token locking mechanisms with manual extension.

A number of requirements are imposed on these valves. For example, they must perform the function of holding the door fixedly in the closed position. Their design must be such as to ensure the fulfillment of the requirements of work, maintainability, installation.

Their moving parts must be fixed in lower or intermediate positions. Structures must allow for easy dismantling. Limit deviations of the dimensions of the elements must obey the standards of GOST 25347, for:

• mating sizes - 12 grade inclusive;
• non-mating parameters and parts to be assembled into non-separable joints - 14 grade each;
• non-mating sizes of overhead elements that do not affect the installation on windows, doors, and other decorative, structural technological elements - 16 quality each.

The list of requirements includes the tolerance of formats and the position of surfaces, the length parameter in the holes of stamped parts... In addition, the standards indicate the type of attachment. Structural elements must be such that movement without interference is envisaged.

The reliability of the door latch is determined by the safety index. Normative acts relate to appearance and color (GOST 538). They are determined by comparison with an available reference sample. According to them:

• there should be no cracks, burrs, mechanical damage on the front side of metal elements;
• the coating can be different (nickel, powder, polymer), its choice is determined by the operating conditions;
• the dimensions of the products must correspond to the specified characteristics of the GOST appendix.

According to the normative act, the complete set of latches for locking doors must include all elements for the installation and operation of the product. Any valve must be marked with:

• manufacturer's name and address;
• the trademark of the copyright holder;
• completeness, packer name;
• technical control stamp;
• class of coating for corrosion resistance.

Latches can be classified according to various criteria, for example, according to the installation method and type of construction. According to the material of manufacture, the products are plastic and metal. Plastic models are not as practical and durable, but they are less expensive.

Based on the fastening method, latches can be laid on and end... Each type of gate valve has its own characteristics. Modifications of the first group involve fastening to the door leaf from the inside. The surface-mounted gate valve is easy to install and use. It is small, it is attached to screws near the door handle. Today it differs from the usual latch, and therefore can decorate the doors of any premises. They are used as normal and night valves.

The end latch cuts into the end of the door leaf at any height convenient for households. Mortise products are attached to the inside of the door frame, using for locking a two-leaf door, as well as for fixing the leaves.

Built-in models are designed for mounting on interior doors, door leaves of warehouses. They are bought when a certain level of secrecy is required. Cut-in internal modifications can be spring-loaded and mechanical.

Modifications of the built-in type are attached at the end in pairs. When the door is opened, the deadbolt moves in a vertical direction. He goes into the threshold and the upper lintel of the box.

Depending on the variety, the valves are open and closed. Products of the first type have a visible shaft of the locking mechanism. In the closed latches, only the retractable part of the locking device is visible. They are considered safer to use. When using them, pinching of the fingers is excluded.

When buying a door latch, there are a number of nuances to consider. The key ones are the type of the shut-off device, the scope of the valve and its dimensions. Much depends on the material of the door panel. Options for a plastic door differ from analogs for a metal or wooden one.

Closed-body models offer greater locking strength. They can be installed on heavy wooden doors. They endure increased stress, do not loosen over time. Mortise latches are mounted where additional fittings spoil the appearance of the door. However, additional holes have to be drilled for fastening.

For frame interior doors, overhead latches are most often purchased. Models with a different mounting design are technically difficult to install in them. If desired, they can be installed on a balcony, plastic or entrance metal (for example, iron) door or a door leaf to the toilet.

Model parameters are selected individually. The length and width are selected taking into account the distance between the door leaf and the frame, the width of the door. If you plan to buy a mortise model, pay attention to the thickness of the latch... Its thickness should be less than the thickness of the door. Otherwise, the heck won't snap into place.

If the door is light, you need to take the plastic version. The lightweight mechanism will not distort PVC doors or window sashes. As for the species, not all models are universal.

The type of fixation of the device depends on its type. For example, when it is necessary to install an overhead-type mechanism, the installation technology is as follows:

• are determined with the place of attachment of the device (optimally at a height of 1.3-1.5 m from the floor or in the place of stiffeners);
• mark the location of the latches using a marker;
• take a drill, drill holes at the marking point (the diameter coincides with the size of the diameter of the mounting bolts);
• using a screwdriver or screwdriver, attach the latch to the base;
• a similar method is used to secure the reciprocal plate of the valve, into which the fastening lever will enter.

After fastening the striker, you need to check the smoothness of the mechanism... When necessary, adjust the location of the mechanism itself or the striker.

When installing the mortise latch, a preliminary outline of the location is also performed. Then a hole is drilled at the end of the door leaf with a diameter taking into account the crossbar. It is necessary that it can move freely within the channel. On the inner side of the door leaf, the location of the drive wing is determined. A hole is drilled to the desired size. After that, the turntable and the valve body are installed.

If the doors are wooden, choose wood from the end side so that the plane of the body coincides with the surface of the door.... A hole is drilled in the frame for measuring the crossbar with a gap of 1.5 mm. A counter bar is attached to a wooden frame with self-tapping screws. When the gap is small, the frame is deepened between the box and the panel.

The operation of the door latches is simple and straightforward. However, it happens that the door, for example, on the balcony, closes and cannot be opened from the other side. If the door is closed from the inside or it is jammed, do not try to open it with strong jolts or blows on the door.... This will shorten the service life of the door leaf and render the opening mechanism unusable.

Such handling will lead to deformation of the frame and door profiles, breakage of fittings and the lock. This can lead to a complete replacement of the door unit. If there is no one in the other room, it is better to knock out the double-glazed window. Replacing it will be cheaper.

If the old valve has fallen into disrepair or it is simply decided to replace it with a new one, it is not at all necessary to drill new holes.... Considering that the fastening must be reliable, it is more expedient to carry out the installation along the old holes, but use screws of a larger diameter in the work.

The latch can close in other cases as well. (for example, in case of mechanical breakdown, clogging of the mechanism, shrinkage of the house). Usually, the Ministry of Emergency Situations does not go to calls when there are no people inside the premises. However, paid wizards open the heck in just a couple of minutes.

If the latch is jammed from the inside, it must be unscrewed and removed, this will unlock the door. It is more difficult with a mortise locking element. First you need to get to the mechanism itself. To solve the problem, you will have to remove overlays, decorative panels and other accessories..

If the owners of the house do not have this type of work skills, it is better to turn to professionals.... Specialists will remove the canvas and disassemble the fittings without damaging them. Doing it yourself can lead to more costly repairs.

If the cause of the mechanism jamming is a blockage, it is necessary to remove it.... To clean the working mechanism, it is necessary to use a penetrating silicone grease, pouring it into the latch. After a while, the liquid will dissolve the blockage. So that the situation does not repeat itself in the future, you need to remove the valve, disassemble, rinse all its parts in a solvent.

If the cause of the malfunction is the shrinkage of the house, it is necessary to raise the door leaf. This can loosen the gripper that is clamped. If the problem cannot be solved, the bolt has to be sawed. If it is necessary to open the valve from the outside, it all depends on the complexity of the situation. If there is a gap between the door and the frame, use regular wire. In this case, you need:

• determine the exact place of the latch by inserting a paper sheet into the slot;
• roll the wire along the contour, repeating the door profile;
• insert the wire into the slot and try to unlock the valve.

If the valve has a complex design, this method will not work. In this case, it is better not to waste time and seek professional help. Craftsmen solve this issue very quickly, using lock picks and screwdrivers. It happens that it is possible to solve the problem through the upper lock. In this case, wire is used. A loop is made at its end, then the wire is pushed into the keyhole and they try to put the loop on the latch lever.