Frequently Asked Questions
Door handles
How to disinfect door handles?
To disinfect a door handle set, you need a virucidal disinfectant for surfaces and disposable wipes - such as from a kitchen roll.
In the first step, wet the door handle completely with disinfectant. The areas where the palm of the hand rests on the door handle are particularly important. For WC sets, do not forget the WC lock.
Afterwards, the disinfectant must act according to the manufacturer's instructions. Follow the respective product instructions.
Finally, wipe the surface with the disposable cloth. When doing so, avoid rubbing the cloth back and forth on surfaces that have already been disinfected and avoid using the cloth several times.
To ensure that the surface remains beautiful after frequent disinfection, it can be wiped with water or soapy water. Disposable cloths should also be used for this purpose. Throw the water away afterwards.
Can you replace door handles yourself?
Yes, usually a screwdriver or cordless screwdriver is sufficient to remove the protective fittings and pull out the door handle.
Which door handle?
Mortice lock door handle sets, BB sets for short, are suitable for room doors made of wood. Doors that are typically equipped with a door lock cylinder require a door handle with profile cylinder insert, or PZ for short. The most common door handle for use on bathrooms and toilets is the WC set with closer. For more intelligent closing and locking, there are door handles with Griffwerk smart2lock technology. The locking mechanism is integrated in the handle. You no longer need a key rosette. Smart2lock handles also impress with a modern and puristic design.
Which Door handles are in trend?
A continuing trend: Black Door handles. Griffwerk offers a comprehensive range of these. The special feature: The black door handle is available from Griffwerk in the specially developed black shade Graphite black: particularly matt, high-quality, soft feel.
Which DIN standard for door handles?
DIN EN 1906 "Building hardware - Lever handles and door knobs - Requirements and test methods" specifies properties such as permanent function, corrosion resistance, the free angular movement and displacement of lever handles and door knobs. Door handles are differentiated into categories of use (medium to frequent use by persons with low care), fire resistance (no performance to smoke and fire doors), security (from normal purposes to security requirements), corrosion resistance and burglary resistance.
Which door handles match which interior?
Door handles can be made of metal, aluminum, brass, stainless steel or plastic. Most door handles are silver, gold or black. Plastic door handles can have almost any color. Round and curved door handles go best with playful furnishings. To a design interior fit clean and straight lines.
Where to buy door handles?
It is best to buy from specialised retailers, such as timber merchants or glaziers. You can find recommended dealers at www.griffwerk.de/en/store-locator/
Sliding Doors
Can sliding doors be retrofitted with a tight-closing system?
In principle, it is possible to retrofit a tight-closing system on sliding doors. There are ready-made sets with rubber bands to stick on. Of course, you can also ask a specialist for help. At Griffwerk, the sealing system is permanently built into the product. Therefore, retrofitting is not possible.
What do sliding glass doors weigh?
The weight of a sliding glass door varies from door to door and depends on the dimensions and type of glass. We therefore have a few examples for you: Sliding doors measuring 935x2058x8mm (for example, our Lines Four 503 sliding glass door made of toughened safety glass) have a surface area of 1.94 m². This weighs around 39 kg. A wider sliding glass door (1060x2058x8mm) is slightly heavier at approx. 44 kg. Sliding doors for high rooms (935x2183x8mm) are in the middle at around 41 kg.
What is the cost of a sliding door?
The price of a sliding door depends on how big it is, whether it is single or double-leaf and what glass is used. A single-wing door in the simplest version can be obtained from about 100 euros glass + 250 euros hardware, whereas a double-wing sliding door with digital printing decoration can sometimes cost more than 1,000 euros.
Sliding glass door - What do I need to consider?
Sliding glass doors widen any room due to their translucency. To maintain this effect for a long time, it is important that the glass is cleaned gently. The best way to do this is to use warm water, a sponge or a soft, lint-free cloth. Residues are best removed with an ordinary glass cleaner. More aggressive cleaning agents such as scouring agents should not be used. They can roughen the glass surface, causing scratches or even damaging the protective layer.
Professional tip: Cleaning large areas instead of specific spots prevents water spots and limescale residues.
What is the difference between hanging and standing Glass sliding doors?
Hanging and standing Sliding doors made of Glass differ mainly in the way of installation and operation. Here are the main differences:
- Installation:
- Hanging Glass sliding doors: this type of sliding door is suspended from the top. The Sliding door runs along the ceiling in a track system and is supported by Rolls attached to the top edge of the door. This allows the door to slide smoothly and requires None rails on the Floor.
- Standing Glass sliding doors: these doors run on rails that are mounted to the Floor. The door moves along these rails and is usually supported by Rolls on the Floor of the door. Compared to hanging doors, standing Glass sliding doors require a rail on the Floor.
- Space Requirements:
- Hanging Glass sliding doors: since they require None rail on the Floor, hanging Glass sliding doors are usually more space efficient. They are well suited for rooms where floor space needs to be kept clear, such as when a uniform floor covering is desired.
- Standing Glass sliding doors: these doors require a floor track that takes up some floor space. In some cases, this can impact the design of the room.
- Aesthetics and Design:
- Hanging Glass sliding doors: Because they do not require a floor track, hanging sliding doors can have a sleeker and more minimalist appearance. Suspension from the ceiling can also provide an elegant aesthetic.
- Standing Glass sliding doors: because of the visible bottom track, these doors can appear a bit more massive. However, they still offer a solid and traditional look.
- Installation and Customization:
- Hanging Glass sliding doors: installation requires the addition of a sturdy ceiling mount and proper alignment of the Rolls to ensure smooth gliding. Adjustments may be required to ensure the door hangs level.
- Standing Glass sliding doors: installation requires proper insertion of the Floor track and adjustment of the Rolls at the Floor of the door. Adjustments are also needed here to ensure the door can be moved easily without jamming.
Ultimately, the choice between hanging and standing Glass sliding doors depends on individual preferences, available space and desired design. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered when making a decision.
Which sliding door is the trend?
There are essentially seven trends for the coming years:
1. the sliding door as a room divider to divide up large rooms at short notice.
2. making small rooms or niches usable thanks to sliding doors - for example as a home office or guest toilet.
3. walk-in closets: niches can easily be turned into walk-in closets thanks to sliding doors.
4. Small rooms appear larger thanks to sliding glass doors. This use will continue to increase.
5. loft style is increasingly finding its way into homes - even through small things like black hardware for a sliding glass door.
6. sliding track systems for the sliding door - especially those that disappear into the wall - are particularly trendy.
7. a frosted sliding door or decorated with photo printing: also a trend for the next few years.
How heavy is a sliding glass door?
The weight of a sliding glass door as an interior door depends on the thickness of the door leaf and the dimensions of the door. As a rule, they weigh between 30 and 40 kilograms.
Glass Doors
Why green or gray glass for the glass door?
Green glass adds a special unexciting color accent to rooms - without actually being colored glass itself. Glass doors made of green glass are timeless and fit into any living concept.
We offer a glass door made of green glass as an ESG or VSG variant.
Is it possible to make a glass door opaque afterwards?
Glass doors can also be subsequently satinized. By laser or sandblasting the glass becomes milky and opaque.
What door stops for the glass door?
At Griffwerk, we recommend for your glass door either rubberized stainless steel stoppers that are screwed into the floor or a stainless steel door stopper weighing up to one kilogram that does not need to be glued or screwed because of its own weight. A non-slip silicone base prevents slipping on the floor.
How thick is LSG?
As a rule, LSG panes are 8.8 mm thick. However, the thickness of our LSG glass doors depends on the format. For larger formats, we recommend a thickness of 10.8 mm.
Can LSG be lasered?
Yes, Griffwerk also refines LSG glass doors with laser decorations. The filigree surface engraving by laser has an impressively noble effect on this premium material. Numerous motifs are available. Let yourself be inspired and enjoy the plus in aesthetics and security.
What types of glass are available for Glass doors?
There are various types of glass for glass doors, including clear glass, frosted glass, smoked glass, structured glass and more. The choice depends on your personal preferences and requirements.
Can Glass doors be used for cabinet doors?
Yes, Glass doors are a stylish option for cabinet doors and can reveal the contents.
Window handles
Where can I find lockable window handles?
Lockable window handles are suitable as an additional means of burglary protection or child safety. Whether plastic windows or noble wooden frames - whether plain silver or noble brass look - in our Griffwerk range you will find the right lockable window handle for every window variant. Ask your specialist dealer about Griffwerk products.
What should I look for when choosing window handles?
When choosing a window handle, consider to which side you have room to turn and to which side the window should open. Window handles for windows that are opened and closed often need to be more durable and fit better in the hand than those that are rarely used. Window handles should match the material, shape and color of the existing door handles and hardware or those being purchased. If the window is located on a poorly visible corner, on a lower floor or in the children's room, you should think about lockable window handles.
Why is a window handle called an olive?
In the past, window handles were also called "window olives". This is because their shape was reminiscent of an olive. Nowadays, the one-armed lever or turn handles resemble the Mediterranean fruit less. But the term has still become common parlance in places of its own.
How secure are lockable windows?
It depends. As burglary protection, they work mainly for casual burglars. Experienced thieves use more sophisticated methods to get into houses or flats. Here, the combination of different burglary prevention methods is the most important factor. Our tip: From Griffwerk you will also find protective fittings for your doors for optimum burglary protection.
Lockable window handles have a greater benefit as security against windows being opened from the inside. They reliably protect children, pets or cognitively impaired persons from unintentional opening of the window. This can prevent dangerous situations and, in the worst case, accidents. For this reason, lockable window handles have proven their worth in kindergartens and schools, but also in hospitals, for decades.
Are there different types of window handles?
Yes, there are different types of window handles that are suitable for different window types and styles. For example, there are window handles for swing windows, pivot windows, tilt windows, etc.
What is available for glass doors?
What type of glass doors do you need? Thanks to our wide range, you are guaranteed to find the right glass door for you: choose from the following types:
- Sliding glass door
- All-glass revolving door
- White glass door
- Smoked glass door
- ESG door
- VSG door
- Glass door with digital print
- Glass door with screen printing
- Laser engraved glass door
- Clear glass door
- Frosted glass door
- Textured glass door
- Partially frosted glass door
Can window handles simply be replaced?
Changing a window handle takes a maximum of ten to 15 minutes. Remove the cover to the screws, unscrew the screws, pull off the window handle, attach the new one. Done.
Glass fittings
Glass fittings for glass doors
Yes, you can replace glass fittings for glass doors yourself. A Phillips or slotted screwdriver and, if necessary, a hexagonal wrench and a drilling template are sufficient in most cases to change glass fittings.
What is a whisper latch?
A whisper latch is a door latch that has been partially coated with plastic. The plastic dampens the impact of the metal latch in the lock. Doors can thus be closed "whisper quietly". Whisper latches are available for door handles for wooden doors as well as for glass lock cases on all-glass doors.
What has to be considered for fittings with clamp mounting?
LSG doors can be used for glass door systems with clamp mounting SENSA by GRIFFWERK. The inner foil is only slightly elastic. We nevertheless recommend readjusting the screws of the fixing after some time and later if necessary. Glass doors, like wooden doors, can adapt to changing room conditions and thus change. Please refer to the respective product data sheets for detailed information.
What material are glass fittings made of?
Glass fittings are made of sturdy material, such as metal, stainless steel, brass or aluminum.
How do I care for glass fittings?
When cleaning glass fittings, water with a little washing-up liquid is often sufficient as a cleaning agent. After wiping with a towel, always dry well to avoid rust.
Doorstopper
Why doorstops?
To ensure that doors stay open or to protect against a hard impact, it is worth using a doorstop. Especially for glass doors, which break more easily if hit too hard. The door leaf and wall are thus not damaged. Glass doors in particular are protected with a doorstop.
What types of doorstops are there?
Floor and wall door stops: To prevent the door from hitting the wall, door stops are fixed to the floor or wall. They are screwed or glued to the wall. Some are also equipped with magnets to stop the door. There are also floor doorstops that hold the door open by their own weight without being fixed. Door wedges are only placed on the floor and thus prevent the door from falling into the lock unintentionally. Risk of breakage: Door wedges should not be used for glass doors. Soft rubber door stops are suitable for glass.
How heavy are doorstops?
There are heavy doorstops made of metal that stop doors based on their own weight and can weigh up to a kilo or more. Door wedges made of plastic or wood weigh only a few grams. As with door stops that are screwed into place, the weight does not matter because they are fastened with screws or wedged in place.
What colours do doorstops have?
Doorstops are often made of silver stainless steel. Door stops made of plastic are available in almost all colours. For a harmonious overall appearance, it is worth considering the colour of the glass door and the door fittings.
What material are doorstops made of?
Door stops can be made of stainless steel, metal, plastic, rubber or silicone. Door wedges are often made of wood as well as plastic. Sack-like door stops that are placed on the floor are usually made of fabric.
Window handles
Security units
What is a security fitting?
A security fitting is mounted on the front door and protects the profile cylinder and mortise lock from mechanical impact. This means that the lock cannot be broken open without considerable force - which deters burglars because it costs them time. The goal: to protect your house or flat from unwanted intruders.
Woran erkenne ich gute Schutzbeschläge?
Good security fittings are labelled with the manufacturer's name or mark, the resistance class and the test number. They are marked with the corresponding test and inspection mark.
Why protective fittings?
Protective fittings protect doors, locking cylinders and handles against manipulation from the outside. They are composed of an inner shield with a door handle or door knob and a resistant outer shield to which a knob, handle or door lever is attached. Screwed from the inside, protective fittings have no attack surface for burglars: nothing sticks out that can be broken off or twisted or pulled out.
Mechanical burglary protection is more than just protective fittings: What else should I look out for?
Anyone who wants to provide additional protection for their home or property can take one of the following special measures. GRIFFWERK does not sell these products, please contact an appropriate specialist dealer if you are interested.
- Multi-point lock: A multi-point lock is an alternative to the mortise lock that secures the front door with up to 7 locking elements.
- Hinge side security: With hinge side security, several toothed elements interlock in order to keep the attack surface for mechanical effects as small as possible.
- Sturdy striking plate: High-quality striking plates allow the deadbolt and latch of the mortise lock to engage when the front door is closed.
- High-quality locking cylinder: A burglar-proof locking cylinder ensures increased security through drilling and picking protection.
- Stable door hinges: Door hinges connect the door frame or frame and the door leaf - similar to a hinge. Deeply anchored door hinges protect against the door being prised open.
Which insurance issues are relevant for me from a safety perspective?
Never just pull the front door closed. Under certain circumstances, they are legally considered to be unlocked. In order to benefit from insurance cover in the event of damage, it is worth checking with your insurance company. Take this opportunity to clarify whether the resistance class of the protective fittings is sufficient.
What do I have to consider when renovating rented flats from a safety point of view?
A security upgrade in rented flats, like all changes affecting the building fabric, must be agreed with the owner. It makes sense to obtain written permission, which also excludes the obligation to dismantle the building when moving out. Ideally, change requests can be clarified before the tenancy agreement is signed.
Blog topics
What sound insulation classes are there for doors?
Doors are divided into five sound insulation classes:
- Sound insulation class 0: Test value (Rw,P) min. 27 dB corresponds to requirement value (Rw,R) min. 22 dB
- Sound insulation class 1: Test value (Rw,P) min. 32 dB corresponds to requirement value (Rw,R) min. 27 dB (for corridors, workrooms, staircases etc.)
- Sound insulation class 2: Test value (Rw,P) min. 37 dB corresponds to requirement value (Rw,R) min. 32 dB (for classrooms, hotels etc.)
- Sound insulation class 3: Test value (Rw,P) min. 42 dB corresponds to requirement value (Rw,R) min. 37 dB (for treatment rooms in surgeries etc.)
- Sound insulation class 4: Test value (Rw,P) min. 47 dB corresponds to requirement value (Rw,R) min. 42 dB (special cases)
How many decibels in a room are normal?
Bel is an auxiliary unit of measurement named after Alexander Graham Bell. It is common to express values in decibels (dB). One decibel is equal to ten Bel. Decibels are used to measure the level of noise. The higher the value, the higher the level and the louder the noise. Even a quiet garden has a noise level of about 25 dB. A television broadcast is already at 35 dB and a normal conversation at 45 dB. An aeroplane, measured at close range, comes to 114 dB. Also interesting: a difference of 10 dB represents a doubling or halving of the level. So the difference between 110 dB and 120 dB is immense. On the other hand, a sound insulation of 10 dB already halves the noise pollution by about 50%. A door with a sound insulation value of 30 dB (sound insulation class 1) therefore already minimises a conversation of 45 DB to the level of rustling paper or the ticking of a clock. Zero decibels would correspond to absolute silence. This practically does not occur. Noise is only perceived by humans from approx. 2 dB.
How do windows and doors affect the room acoustics?
Windows and doors influence how much sound enters a room. Windows and doors are also sound-reflecting surfaces. They therefore also change the room acoustics in a room. In a normal living environment, however, sound reflection through doors hardly plays a role, especially since large wall surfaces, and especially ceilings, have a much greater influence on room acoustics. However, if you are very particular, sound sources should not necessarily be positioned near windows and doors and should not be exposed to direct sound. In general, there should be no large, sound-reflecting surfaces opposite speakers.
The ideal room acoustics?
Balanced room acoustics can lead to an extraordinary sound experience. Musicians know this. It is important that all frequencies are reflected as harmoniously as possible. It would be particularly negative if noises were emphasised and fine nuances were swallowed. Long reverberation times are generally unpleasant. They blur the sounds into one another. It becomes exhausting to listen to someone. Speech intelligibility suffers. One feels stressed.
What is sound?
Sound is created by a sound source that generates mechanical vibrations. These propagate in matter (gas, liquids and solids). One speaks of a sound when the waves are uniform (sinusoidal), in the case of a noise they are irregular.
How does sound spread from room to room?
Noise can not only pass through doors, but also through walls, ceilings and floors into adjacent rooms. The more a material vibrates, the more it transmits sound. For doors, make sure that they seal well.
What is noise protection?
Sound insulation includes all measures that reduce unwanted sound in rooms. On the one hand, the measures influence the penetration, generation and propagation of sound in rooms requiring protection. Sound pollution can be minimised by the building, but can also be improved by the room furnishings.