Door stay help

This topic has 28 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 12 August 2020 at 22:44 by MadMike.

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10 August 2020 at 11:33 #36020
AJW
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@ajw
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10 August 2020 at 11:33 #489946
AJW
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@ajw
We had a couple of uPVC doors fitted about 9 months ago. There was an option of a door stay unit that fits to the top of the door and has an adjustment screw fitted to create friction in the door stays operation which we have found quite useful as the door can be left part open and resisting wind gusts.

I have now found that the friction adjustment is all taken up and no more friction adjustment! All worn out in 9 months.

Removing the unit from the door it is of a very poor design so I dug out a lump of brass in the hope I can make something longer lasting but before I attempt a redesign I thought I would ask has anyone had experience of uPVC door stays that work and more importantly – keep working!

Alan
10 August 2020 at 12:09 #489957
Bazyle
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@bazyle
Is it something like moulded nylon – a bit flexible? Brass might be too hard to get adjusted unless there is room for a spring. Maybe tufnot.
10 August 2020 at 12:27 #489964
Circlip
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@circlip
Door furniture for plastics were never meant to be a "Partial" thing, Door is either closed or fully open, design was to stop door opening greater than 90deg. saving tears if you inadvertently let go while opening it in a wind. French doors??

Regards Ian

Edited By Circlip on 10/08/2020 12:28:43
10 August 2020 at 12:58 #489969
Jim Young 2
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@jimyoung2
Many and various designs on eBay for between £5 and £10. Can you just replace the friction pad perhaps?
10 August 2020 at 13:26 #489976
AJW
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@ajw
Thanks for replies! Yes the assembly uses a moulded nylon section for applying friction and it works well but it slides inside the extruded aluminium section that fits the door channel.

Unfortunately the friction wears out the nylon piece. I have seen the same design from various outlets from less than £4 but I know they won't last!

Even found a review of door stays where this design came up trump's although it's obviously not been tested over a longer period as it would wear itself out.

Think I need to re design the idea.

Alan
10 August 2020 at 13:56 #489978
Nick Wheeler
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@nickwheeler
Posted by Circlip on 10/08/2020 12:27:28:

Door furniture for plastics were never meant to be a "Partial" thing, Door is either closed or fully open, design was to stop door opening greater than 90deg. saving tears if you inadvertently let go while opening it in a wind. French doors??

it's also intended to prevent the door and mechanism from damage by slamming shut. The stay will slow it down.
10 August 2020 at 14:10 #489979
Phil H1
Participant
@philh196021
Not quite what you have described but we have two quite wide French type doors and we use two simple brass hook and loop arrangements. The hook is attached to the wall and the loops on the bottom of the door frames. They hold the doors wide open and there is no problem with the wind.
10 August 2020 at 14:28 #489981
pgk pgk
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@pgkpgk17461
I have the same arrangement on my UPVC patio doors..totally useless in any breeze. My solution was to add hooks and eyes from outside wall to door at the bottom… simple and guaranteed.

pgk
10 August 2020 at 15:30 #489995
Danny M2Z
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@dannym2z
I just use a rubber wedge under the door. Open door, kick the wedge in place.
10 August 2020 at 15:54 #490003
Clive Brown 1
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@clivebrown1
Our conservatory door suffers from the wind when left open in hot weather. A friction stay was no help. An outside step made a door stop diificult to devise. Solution this year has been a short length of rope, loop in each end to connect the door handle to the nearby garden bench. Takes seconds to deploy. Success!
10 August 2020 at 17:20 #490025
MadMike
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@madmike
Nine months old? get the crew back that fitted it. Do not alter anything until they have sorted it as they will simply accuse you of tampering.
10 August 2020 at 17:27 #490026
Sam Longley 1
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@samlongley1
stay
10 August 2020 at 17:35 #490028
Cornish Jack
Participant
@cornishjack
Sam has it – we have two fitted to our french windows and they JUST WORK, – and have done untended for 6 years so far. Have just ordered another for the scullery door. Available in 8" and 12". We use the 12" to cope with the outside step.

rgds

Bill
10 August 2020 at 17:51 #490031
AJW
Participant
@ajw
Yes, only 9 months usage! Disgusting, and I am sure they would be replaced but I would only get another 9 months use because they just wear out!

As you say I could fit one of the 'door holder open' type stays but the beauty of the original (albeit short term!) is the ability to leave the doors anywhere between ajar and fully open.

Alan
10 August 2020 at 19:29 #490044
larry phelan 1
Participant
@larryphelan1
My Granny used to use a spare brick to hold the backdoor open, but I suppose that would be out of fashion these days ?
11 August 2020 at 07:50 #490080
Perko7
Participant
@perko7
Would replacing the nylon with a stiff felt pad (the type used for putting under chair legs) be a potentially more long-lasting option?
11 August 2020 at 08:40 #490088
john carruthers
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@johncarruthers46255
We would fit 'restrictor stays' as a safety option, mainly on tilt&turn windows on upper floors to avoid people falling through. They are a simple toothed bar that clips onto a stud.
They can be fitted to doors and would give some adjustment to how wide it opens.

Or, how about a damper style restrictor as used on caravans, boats, etc ?

Edited By john carruthers on 11/08/2020 08:56:27
11 August 2020 at 10:11 #490098
AJW
Participant
@ajw
The felt idea sounds like it would offer better long term operation, I will certainly look that idea. The only real restriction is that any of the friction components need to operate in the extruded aluminium channel fitted into the door edge shape, and it is just over 1/2 in wide!

Our old wooden doors had a friction device incorporating a max opening position. This was screwed to door and frame with the 'hinge' between both parts having the friction components fitted a bit like the old suspension dampers used on old Bentley's etc. Worked a treat and as the cork components wore they could be re adjusted with a wing nut.

Not the sort of thing that is suitable for a plastic door/frame though.

John, you refer to a damper/restrictor – got anymore info?

Alan
11 August 2020 at 21:33 #490194
AJW
Participant
@ajw
Well I woke up with the bit between my teeth this morning determined to improve the stays!

Found myself a piece of self adhesive felt which when compressed was about .035 thou thick, a lump of steel to machine into a 'T' shape to fit the alloy channel. Had to pop round local screw supplier for some grub screw's and csk jobbies.

Basically spent all day developing them but am really pleased with the results. I have two grub screws which expand the T section with the felt attached to adjust the friction within the channel.

The original design, while obviously cheap is of very poor design and of very limited lifespan, how can they sell such a poor product?

Alan
12 August 2020 at 06:50 #490216
Sam Longley 1
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@samlongley1
Posted by AJW on 11/08/2020 21:33:01:

how can they sell such a poor product?

Well you bought one for a start

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 12/08/2020 06:51:43
12 August 2020 at 07:41 #490222
AJW
Participant
@ajw
Guilty as charged M'lord! In my defence I plead ignorance as I asked for doors to be supplied with stays.

I'm waiting for the 'how did we do' for feedback!

Alan
12 August 2020 at 08:18 #490223
pgk pgk
Participant
@pgkpgk17461
A quck look-up cheat tells me that a 40mph wind gust exerts 6.4lbs/sqr foot pressure. Assuming a half pair of french doors 2ft x 6.5ft = 83+lbs pressure. Thst's a lot to control with a small contact sliding pad in a groove.

(I chose 40mph gust 'cos they are fairly common in my valley even on 15mph wind days and far be it for my OH to actually hook the door back…I have to get there first)

pgk
12 August 2020 at 10:48 #490253
AJW
Participant
@ajw
Agree, less than ideal but better than nothing.

Alan
12 August 2020 at 16:38 #490299
john carruthers
Participant
@johncarruthers46255
This sort of thing?

I've fitted many to boats, caravans, greenhouses etc….
toolstation stay
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