Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, usually a screwdriver or cordless screwdriver is sufficient to remove the protective fittings and pull out the door handle.

Door handles can be of different shapes. The door handle can be straight, curved, square or round. The shape of the protective fittings are also shaped to match the door handle.

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.

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.

Escutcheons consist of door handle and cover or border of the door lock. Escutcheon fittings: Door handle and keyhole are connected with a metal plate ("door shield"). Interchangeable sets consist of two different door handles: on one side a classic door groff, on the other side a knob. 

Half sets are characterized by the fact that one side has a completely different door handle installed than the other - mainly to connect two rooms with different interior style. 

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.

Rosette door handles, escutcheon door handles, lever handles, half handles, Ulmer door handle - and all of this made from a wide variety of materials. In addition, there are long plates, short plates, fire protection fittings, security fittings and many more.

Door handles are very easy to change: Remove the old handles - to do this, simply loosely turn the small grub screw on one side of the door and pull both door handles outwards. Then remove the door plates or rosettes and mount the new handle set in the reverse order of removal. Finished.

Many dimensions of door fittings are standardised - such as the square spindle and the distance between the lever handle and the keyhole.

To ensure that every square spindle fits in every door, they all have the same cross-section of 8 by 8 millimetres - except for fire doors, where there is an extra millimetre. However, the length of square spindles differs. It depends on the dimensions of the handle set.

The keyhole is 72 millimetres from the centre of the lever handle on all room doors.

Attention: The outer dimensions of the door handles and fittings are different. When replacing them, make sure that the new one is at least as large or larger than the old one.

Basically, weekly cleaning is sufficient. First remove dust or similar particles with a dry towel, then wet with detergent and wipe thoroughly. In pandemic times like Covid-19, we recommend disinfecting hard surfaces that are touched often several times a day. So if there is a risk of your door handles being touched by infected or possibly infected people, wet the door handle with disinfectant. Pay special attention to the areas where the hand rests. Allow the disinfectant to take effect. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions. Finally, wipe the surface once with a disposable towel.

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.

Match the material for door fittings to the look of the door. Stainless steel and aluminium go well with glass doors - whereas brass door handles tend to harmonise better with dark wood and plastic fittings are most suitable for lacquered or powder-coated doors. For heavy doors, stainless steel handles are preferable to all others. 
Stainless steel fittings made of rust-free stainless steel, optionally matt or polished, are of particularly high quality. GRIFFWERK door handles in soft2touch surfaces offer exciting accents. Their velvety soft feel makes them particularly pleasant to touch.

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/

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.

When choosing Sliding door handles, there are several important aspects to consider to ensure that they are not only functional, but also aesthetically and ergonomically suitable. Here are some Spots you should consider:

1. Functionality: the Sliding door handle should be easy to grip and operate. Not only should it feel good in your hand, but it should also provide adequate leverage to move the door panel effortlessly.
2. Material and Quality: Sliding door handles are available in different materials such as Stainless steel, Aluminum, Plastic or Wood. Choose a high-quality material that is durable and sturdy to withstand daily use.
3. Ergonomics: the handle should be designed to fit comfortably and securely in your hand. An ergonomic design allows for ease of use, especially if the door is used frequently.
4. Style and aesthetics: the Sliding door handle contributes to the overall aesthetic of the room. Choose a handle that matches the style and decor of the room. There are a variety of designs, from modern and minimalist to traditional and decorative.
5. Size and proportions: Make sure the handle is the right size and proportion so it doesn't look oversized or too small in relation to the size of the door.
6. Mounting: consider how the handle will be mounted on the Sliding door. A handle can be mounted on the front or back of the door panel, depending on the desired aesthetic effect.
7. Accessibility: if necessary, choose a Sliding door handle that is barrier-free and can be easily reached and operated by people with limited mobility.
8. Durability and maintenance: consider the maintenance requirements of the material you choose. Some materials require more care than others to maintain their luster and quality over time.
9. Price: Sliding door handles vary widely in price and quality. Set yourself a budget and look for a handle that meets both your needs and your budget.
10. Additional features: Some Sliding door handles come with additional features like locking mechanisms or lock cases. If you need such features, make sure the handle meets those requirements.
11. Installation: Make sure the handle is easy to install or can be properly installed by professionals to ensure safe use.

Remember that the Sliding door handle is not only a functional element, but also contributes to the aesthetics and usability of the room. It is important to make a careful selection to ensure that the handle meets the requirements and style of the project.

For sliding glass door panels, it is critical to use tempered safety glass that meets stability and safety requirements. The thickness of the glass should be adequate to ensure sufficient strength. In addition, the installation should be done carefully to ensure the stability of the door leaf and minimize the risk of glass breakage. The size of the glass leaf should also be well matched to the Sliding door system to allow smooth opening and closing.

Hanging and standing Sliding doors made of Glass differ mainly in the way of installation and operation. Here are the main differences:

1. Installation:
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
2. Space Requirements:
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
3. Aesthetics and Design:
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
4. Installation and Customization:
   1. 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.
   2. 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.

There are historical records and archaeological findings that indicate that Sliding doors were used in Antique times. For example, in the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were found remains of Sliding doors, which were buried by a volcanic eruption around the year 79 AD. These doors were made of Wood and were built into walls or niches.

One of the earliest known uses of glass in doors comes from ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Remains of Windows with thin glass panels have been found in Pompeii and Herculaneum, ancient Roman cities. It is possible that these techniques evolved over the centuries to create Sliding doors with glass panels that could allow more light into interior spaces.

However, the development of modern Glass sliding doors as we know them today probably occurred during the 19th century as a result of the Industrial Revolution and advances in glass production and processing.

Sliding doors made of glass are in vogue because they offer many advantages over conventional doors made of other materials:

1. Aesthetics: sliding doors made of glass give rooms a modern and elegant look. They appear light and transparent, allow natural light to enter the room unhindered and create an open, airy atmosphere.
2. Space saving: One of the greatest strengths of sliding glass doors is the space they save. Since they do not swing inwards or outwards, but slide along a track, they do not require any additional space for the door opening area. This makes them ideal for rooms with limited space.
3. Natural lighting: Sliding glass doors maximise the amount of light entering the room and help make the space feel brighter and more welcoming. They can reduce the need for artificial lighting and thus save energy.
4. Room separation and flexibility: Sliding glass doors offer flexibility in room design as they can be used as partitions to separate different areas in a room without compromising visual connectivity. This is particularly useful in open-plan living concepts or office spaces.
5. View of the surroundings: When sliding glass doors are used to access terraces, balconies or gardens, they allow an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape or the outside world.
6. Modern design and variety: There is a wide range of designs, styles and frame types for sliding glass doors. The choice ranges from simple, straight-lined doors to ornate and decorative variants that blend harmoniously into any architectural concept.
7. Safety: Modern sliding glass doors are usually made of safety glass such as toughened safety glass (ESG) or laminated safety glass (VSG). This ensures that they pose less risk of injury in the event of breakage.
8. Accessibility: Sliding glass doors are usually easy to open and close, which makes them particularly accessible for people with limited mobility.

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.

Sliding doors are locked with a so-called circle and hook bolt. With an ordinary bolt, you could simply push the sliding door open again. The curved hook holds the door leaf to the frame so that you can no longer slide the door open. With our smart2lock handle, the sliding door can even be locked and opened with just one touch of the finger.

A sliding door running in front of the wall, you can install yourself using the supplied installation instructions. In most cases, the installation requires two people. If you want to install a sliding door that runs in the wall and need to install the necessary drywall or box system, it is better to hire a professional - unless you are well versed in building things.

Of course, there are both sliding and swing doors in all price segments. On average, sliding doors are somewhat more expensive than hinged doors because a different mechanism is required. However, the investment is usually worth it because sliding doors save a lot of space and open up rooms that would otherwise be unusable.

Yes. If you choose a sliding door system that runs in front of the wall, such as R8 or one from Griffwerk's Planeo line, you can even install the sliding door over the old door frame, depending on your taste.

If you want a sliding door that disappears into the wall, you will need to create a cavity in front of the existing wall using drywall or a built-in box system, where the door can disappear.

Sliding doors save space in the room, because they do not need a swing area. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for small rooms or niches, which otherwise could not be used.

However, sliding doors are also practical room dividers for very large rooms that you want to divide only temporarily.  Especially in apartments with large but few rooms, a sliding door as a room divider can organize space in a useful and flexible way. Intelligent opening and closing of sliding doors as room dividers can also improve the indoor climate and save energy.

Sliding glass doors are usually made of either single-pane safety glass or laminated safety glass (LSG), which is about 8 millimeters thick. This corresponds to a high level of break resistance. In the case of sliding glass doors made of toughened safety glass, only punctual, strong pressure loads can cause the glass to crack. The splinters are very small and blunt. In the case of laminated safety glass, it takes even more force for a pane to shatter - but the pane splinters then stick - to the adhesive film that holds the laminated panes together.

The advantages of sliding glass doors are:

1. Light transmission: sliding glass doors allow natural light to enter rooms, providing a brighter and friendlier atmosphere.
2. Optical illusion: sliding glass doors can visually enlarge the space and give a more open impression.
3. Design: sliding glass doors can be made in a variety of colors textures and designs, making them a stylish addition to any room.
4. Easy cleaning: Sliding glass doors are easy to clean and do not require extensive maintenance.
5. Weather Resistance: sliding glass doors are ideal for outdoor use as they are weather resistant and durable.
6. Flexibility: sliding glass doors can be used in both residential and office spaces, offering maximum flexibility.

There are different types of sliding doors, such as rail sliding doors, flush sliding doors, and wall or ceiling sliding doors.

One advantage of sliding doors is that they save space since they do not have to swing in or out of the room. They are also easy to open and close, making them well-suited for people with mobility issues or for use in tight spaces. Sliding doors can also help reduce a building's energy consumption by retaining heat in the winter and preventing cool drafts in the summer.

Sliding doors work by moving on rails along a wall or frame. The door is supported by rollers or sliders that run on the tracks, making it easy to open and close. Some sliding doors have some sort of lever or handle that is used to open and close the door while others may have a knob or switch to open and close them.

Schiebetüren sind Türen die sich auf Schienen entlang einer Wand oder eines Rahmens bewegen. Sie werden verwendet um Räume oder Bereiche abzugrenzen oder um Zugang zu diesen Bereichen zu ermöglichen.

The European standard DIN EN 1527:1998 specifies the basic criteria of building hardware and test methods and classes of the respective types of sliding doors - its exact name is: "Locks and building hardware - Hardware for sliding and folding doors - Requirements and test methods".

The standard differentiates sliding doors according to safety requirements, weight, handling, service life and opening direction. 

Toughened safety glass or laminated safety glass. If the sliding door needs to withstand a lot, VSG PRIME DOORS are a good choice. These sliding doors are made of two thermally toughened safety glasses and a tear-resistant film on the inside. If the glass breaks, shards of glass stick to it.

Please refer to the exact product description of the sliding door system.

Instead of permanently transforming a large room into several small ones by putting up a wall, sometimes a floor-to-ceiling sliding door is more suitable: it divides large rooms into smaller ones - temporarily or forever, but in any case without taking away light. How exactly to do this, read our blog.

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. 

We have developed a special technology for Griffwerk sliding doors: smart2lock: With this, a push of a button is enough to lock or unlock the sliding door. A busy indicator by LED inside and outside shows on the sliding door whether it is locked or unlocked. In addition to long battery life, we have of course made sure that the sliding door can also be unlocked when the batteries are flat: no problem thanks to panic opening and emergency unlocking.

We do not have a sliding door with a motion sensor that opens automatically when you approach.

Sliding doors are usually made of glass, wood, plastic, metal or mixtures of these materials. Which door material is most suitable for the sliding door is determined by the intended use. The material ultimately determines essential door properties such as weight, light transmission, sound insulation, thermal insulation or burglar resistance.

Sliding glass doors are often used in modern interiors in such a way that they are a visual highlight: Thanks to laser engravings or similar discreet decorations. Thanks to their translucency, they create a warm feeling of space and make the room appear larger than it actually is.

Yes, sliding doors can be purchased as lockable and non-lockable variants. Compared to the ordinary revolving door, the bolt of the sliding door cannot engage directly with the striking plate of a normal frame. Since the movement is parallel to the wall, a hook or compass bolt lock must be fitted to the sliding door system. This engages in the door frame and makes the sliding door lockable. Sliding door systems in front of the wall require a stop post onto which the door leaf can run.

At GRIFFWERK we get around this problem with the PLANEO SMART2LOCK system. Invisible from the outside, the locking technology provides a secure lock.

You can install sliding doors yourself. We tell you how to do this in the section "How are sliding doors installed? Alternatively, you can also commission a specialist with the installation. Dealers who sell Griffwerk products often offer an installation service. The specialist will then come to your home and professionally install the sliding door for you. If, despite careful work, faults occur, there is usually a guarantee that these will be rectified as quickly as possible, free of charge. The installation service is a quick way to achieve the perfect sliding door, especially for physically impaired people or people who are not very skilled.

Sliding doors are more space-saving than swinging doors because the swinging range of the door does not have to be considered. Wall-integrated sliding doors save a particularly large amount of space because they disappear into the wall and thus do not take up any space for the door leaf. However, the wall should be thick enough to enclose the sliding door. Exterior sliding doors require a little more space. Tip: You should plan the thickness of the sliding door system along the wall for this.

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.

The weight of a sliding glass door varies depending on the door and depends on the dimensions and type of glass. Therefore, we have a few examples for you: Sliding doors with dimensions 935x2058x8mm (for example, our sliding glass door Lines Four 503 made of toughened glass) results in a surface of 1.94 m². This weighs about 39 kg. A wider sliding glass door (1060x2058x8mm) is slightly heavier, weighing about 44 kg. Sliding doors for high rooms (935x2183x8mm) are in the middle with about 41 kg.

High-quality sliding doors are best purchased from a specialist dealer. You can also purchase GRIFFWERK sliding doors online from our contractual partners.

GRIFFWERK sliding doors with the PLANEO AIR SILENT system close almost airtight. This prevents water vapor or strong smells - e.g. after cooking - from entering the next room. You don't have to worry about drafts either. In addition, sliding doors of this design offer good protection against noise - comparable to the soundproofing of a wooden door.

Whether you use a folding rule or a laser measuring device - the most important thing is to always measure at several points. Especially in old buildings, ceilings, floors and walls are not always completely straight. For an accurate measurement, it is best to measure at the far left and far right from wall to wall at three points (bottom, middle, top) and at the very top and very bottom at three points from the ceiling to the finished floor. When ordering the sliding door, always use the smallest dimension. As a rule, all sliding doors can be subsequently adjusted in height by one to two millimeters.

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. 

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.

Toughened safety glass or laminated safety glass. The former is heat-treated glass with increased impact and shock resistance. In the event of breakage, small, blunt shards are produced.

If the sliding door is to be particularly robust, we recommend LSG PRIME DOORS. They consist of two thermally toughened safety glasses and an inner tear-resistant film. In the event of breakage, the shards adhere to this intermediate layer. In addition, LSG prime glass has sound-absorbing properties.

Sliding glass doors let daylight into every room and save space at the same time. They are also wonderfully suitable as room dividers and optimal for barrier-free living.

A soft close is a pull-in damper for sliding glass doors. It slows down the speed of the closing door so that it does not hit. The door is gently pulled into the locking position and held there. Soft pulls have become indispensable for kitchen drawers and are of course also available for sliding doors. With soft closing, you enjoy more convenience. At the same time, they protect the glass and reduce noise when closing. The glass does not clink or bang. The retraction positions can be configured individually.

Because of the lateral opening between the wall and the door leaf, simple sliding doors offer less protection against sound. Sealing systems compensate for this disadvantage. However, many of these systems are very elaborate and interfere with the appearance. For PLANEO AIR SILENT, an almost invisible slat system was developed, which is integrated into the surrounding, narrow frame. PLANEO AIR SILENT therefore offers good sound insulation and even keeps out water vapour, draughts and odours.

Whether clear glass or float glass, toughened safety glass or laminated safety glass - at GRIFFWERK we manufacture individual sliding doors for specialist shops and private individuals. Your specialist dealer is sure to have GRIFFWERK products in stock. You can find out more about our wide range of models on our website. If you have any individual questions, your specialist dealer will be happy to advise you. https://www.griffwerk.de/en/store-locator/

With the PLANEO SMART2LOCK locking system from Griffwerk integrated in the handle, sliding doors can be locked at the touch of a button. The locking technology is invisibly integrated into the handle bar and sliding system. An LED on the handle bar indicates inside and outside whether the door is locked.

The new tight-closing sliding door PLANEO AIR SILENT is comparable to a wooden door in terms of sound insulation. In addition, it seals rooms not only against sound, but also against kitchen odours, water vapour and draughts, for example.

Sound as well as kitchen odours, water vapour and draughts are kept out by the tightly closing PLANEO AIR SILENT sliding door system from GRIFFWERK. The seal is made possible by laterally attached rubber lips and a floor brush. Both elements are integrated into the surrounding aluminium profile and blend into the purist design. The door reveal remains unchanged. PLANEO AIR SILENT is comparable to a wooden door in terms of sound insulation.

1. Observe the material of the wall for the selection of the appropriate drill and dowel.
2. Align the running rail on the wall with the help of a spirit level. Mark the predefined fastening holes of the running rail on the wall. Drill the indicated fastening points and mount the rail.
3. Mark the floor guide on the floor according to the opening direction of the sliding door, pre-drill and install. If the floor is smooth, the floor guide can also be glued to the floor with the enclosed adhesive strip.
4. Slide the end stopper and soft pull into the sliding door rail. On the handle side, fix flush with the edge of the running rail with the appropriate torque. Do not yet fix the mounting parts on the other side.
5. Thoroughly clean the glass door leaf on the upper glass door surface before attaching the carriage. Adjust the runner for the corresponding glass thickness and mount the activator.
6. Fix the trolley in the appropriate position on the glass door. Loosen the safety screw and slide it downwards.
7. Hang the glass door leaf. Use the adjustment screws to align the glass door. Slide the glass door into the open position and lock the rear stopper and soft-close mechanism in this position.
8. Adjust the safety catch. If necessary, adjust the activator. Fit the cover for the sliding door rail and fix it in place with grub screws. Fit end caps.
9. Stick the handle shell or handle bar onto the glass door using the SENSA adhesive technique. If necessary, use a template for application.

935mm x 2058mm x 8mm (width x height x depth). This is the typical standard size for sliding doors. Other standard dimensions are 1060x2085x8 mm and 935x2183x8 mm. Glass doors are also available in special sizes.

Frames are not required for a sliding door. If frames are nevertheless installed, the distance between the sliding door and the wall can be increased by using a spacer profile, so that the door can easily run in front of the frame.

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.

Glass door without frame can be installed in a doorway in certain cases, but it depends on the type of doorway. Sliding doors and Double action doors are often better suited for installation without a frame, as they require less framing. Hinged doors can be more difficult to achieve a stable installation Without a frame. Regardless of Door type, it is important to ensure that the door is properly and securely fastened and meets local building codes. Professional help is often advisable to ensure a safe installation.

Yes, Glass doors are a stylish option for cabinet doors and can reveal the contents.

No, Glass doors usually require less maintenance as they do not rot or warp.

Spots often cited as disadvantages of Glass doors are as follows:

1. Lack of soundproofing: regular glass offers limited soundproofing, which can result in less privacy and noise between rooms.
2. Limited privacy: transparent glass can compromise privacy, especially in intimate spaces such as bedrooms or bathrooms.
3. Fingerprint and stain maintenance: Glass can easily reveal fingerprints and stains, requiring more frequent cleaning.
4. Loss of thermal insulation: glass has lower thermal insulation capabilities compared to more solid door materials.

Here's how to deal with the perceived disadvantages:

1. Sound Insulation: Glass insulates sound just like wood doors do. To further improve soundproofing, you can use thicker glass or special sound-absorbing glass. Additionally, curtains, rugs and wall coverings can absorb sound.
2. Privacy: frosted or tinted glass continues to provide light while ensuring privacy. Alternatively, curtains or blinds can provide additional privacy.
3. Maintenance: regular cleaning with glass cleaners minimizes fingerprints and stains. Opt for glass surfaces with anti-fingerprint coatings.
4. Thermal insulation: combining Glass doors with good in-room thermal insulation, such as insulating Windows, can reduce heat loss.

Dealing with the drawbacks of Glass doors requires conscious planning and combination with other design and functional elements in the room. This allows you to take advantage of Glass doors while minimizing their negative aspects.

The bathroom has long since evolved into a place that goes far beyond mere personal hygiene. Whether you linger in a relaxing tub bath in the evening or enjoy individual wellness rituals, your well-being depends on both privacy and a stylish ambience. This is where Glass doors come in as an ideal solution, offering a versatile choice with a Width range of glass designs. Glass doors with frosted glass look are very popular and have almost become a traditional element. The matt finish provides perfect privacy, allowing you to fully enjoy your bathroom in a personal and intimate atmosphere. Satin frosted glass can also be designed with artistic patterns or motifs, depending on your taste. Here, there are hardly any limits to your individual preferences and requirements. If you want to create a more lively atmosphere in the bathroom, you can opt for Glass doors with colored lacquer. These are completely opaque and can act as vibrant color accents.

Yes, Griffwerk offers a made-to-measure option for Glass doors. Customers can specify the desired dimensions to ensure that the doors fit perfectly into their premises.

To ensure the stability of the special size Glass doors, the smallest possible dimension is 1000 x 2100 mm. We manufacture special size glass doors up to a maximum dimension of 1400 x 2500 mm.

Glass doors are suitable for all rooms. Tightly closing glass door systems are also sound and heat insulating.

Glass doors can also be subsequently satinized. By laser or sandblasting the glass becomes milky and opaque.

Door handles for glass doors are available in various materials: stainless steel, metal, brass, aluminum, plastic. Stylistically, they are chosen to match the interior.

Glass doors are tested for burglar-resistant properties in accordance with DIN EN 1627/1630.

For a perfect overall appearance of the room, the glass door must harmonize with the interior. Discreet in the background: glass doors fit ideally into any interior style due to their transparency. Only the door fittings of the glass door must be selected to match the style.

Glass doors are often combined with other wooden doors. This is ideal when all the fittings have been matched in terms of technology and surface. In the GRIFFWERK range you will also find fittings for flat entrance doors, wooden interior doors and even for windows in matching designs.

It is even possible to insert glass into existing wooden doors - so-called light cut-outs. We at Griffwerk also manufacture such a glass insert for wooden doors.

Sure: glass doors let natural light into windowless rooms. This makes dark rooms appear bright and friendly. This saves you money: namely the electricity costs for artificial lighting. By the way, replacing an existing wooden door with a glass door is very easy. You can even use existing frames for hinged glass doors.

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.

First of all, you can choose different glass qualities at Griffwerk: Green glass (BASIC GREEN), white glass (PURE WHITE) or gray glass (MOON GREY, SMODEK GREY, SATIN GREY). The latter offers some privacy, thanks to gray shading.

Then there are several ways to design a glass door: Frosted, partially frosted, screen or digitally printed with motifs, sandblasted or laser engraving 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. 

Provided that you properly handle glass doors before and during installation, they are safe. So: do not put them on the edges, but on soft wood, styrofoam or cardboard - avoid bumping.
Glass doors are made of safety glass TSG (single-pane safety glass) or LSG (laminated safety glass) - this makes them less sensitive than "normal glass panes". Therefore, this is much less sensitive than a simple pane of glass. A glass door on two wooden trestles holds well and gladly 2-3 people standing on it.

Basically, it is possible to keep the frame of a wooden door and only replace the door leaf. In this case, you should first measure whether your frame corresponds to a standard dimension. To do this, measure the rebate dimensions. To do this, take the distance between the inner edges of the rebate cladding in width and the distance between the lower edge of the rebate cladding to the upper edge of the floor covering in height. If the rebate dimensions are standardised, you can choose your new glass door directly and install it in the frame.

If you need special dimensions, you can either have a new frame fitted so that you can use standard sizes. As a cost-effective alternative, we recommend having the glass door leaf custom-cut.

Also bear in mind that the glass door needs to be drilled. This cannot be done on site - a professional should drill the glass door before installation. The door fittings are then fitted in the resulting recesses.

Furthermore, you should bear in mind that not every door hinge will work with the new glass door. However, you can replace these without any problems.

There are so-called norm doors for glass doors. These have standard dimensions so that they can be hung in various door frames. These are the widths: 709 mm, 834 mm and 959 mm, in combination with the heights 1972 mm or 2097 mm.

You can even find reasonably priced glass doors from Griffwerk for less than 150 euros. Our most luxurious models are priced at more than 1000 euros.

Optimum privacy is achieved with the help of a film that is inserted between two panes of toughened safety glass. In the Griffwerk range, you will find high-quality VSG PRIME glass that can bear matt, grey or opaque film in various colours and nuances. The advantage of opaque matting: with adequate privacy protection, enough light still flows into the room. Such doors are suitable, for example, for bedrooms, office doors and, of course, bathrooms.

Basically, glass always consists of five main ingredients: Quartz sand, dolomite powder, lime powder, sulphate powder and soda powder. These raw materials are mixed together and heated so that they melt. Depending on which product is to be produced, there may be a different mixing ratio. The molten glass is then poured into a vat of molten tin. As tin is heavier than glass, the liquid glass floats on the surface and forms a thin "film" there. This "film" can then be rolled onto a belt and is then cut and made into the glass door.
For cooling, the method of "tempering" is used for glass doors. The molten glass is cooled down extremely quickly, making it more robust and break-resistant.
Glass doors from Griffwerk undergo further manufacturing steps depending on the design. For example, for VSG glass, two ESG glass panes are joined with a plastic film. For screen printing, we use ceramic paint that burns patterns or other motifs into the glass. With the help of laser technology, fine lines can be engraved into the glass door.

Anyone who wants sound insulation can opt for glass doors. In principle, all-glass revolving doors can provide sound insulation up to class 2 (SK2 according to DIN 4109) - i.e. offer the same sound insulation as wooden doors. This is mainly because glass throws sound back into the room rather than letting it through. The reason is simple: glass has no cavities and does not vibrate easily, which would amplify sound. 
Tip: A door leaf made of LSG glass, unlike simple single-pane safety glass (TSG), has sound-absorbing properties. The sound insulation film is softer and decouples the panes. As a result, the sound is better insulated. 
A special feature of glass doors: they need a floor gap so that dirt particles such as small stones do not damage the glass. This minor disadvantage is easy to compensate for: with sound-absorbing materials in the rooms - such as deep pile carpets or curtains.

Toughened safety glass is very robust and not very sensitive to impact on the glass surface. If the glass does break, small crumbs are produced without sharp edges.

With a laminated safety door, shards adhere to the laminated film. In the Griffwerk range you will find TSG and LSG ( LSG-Prime doors) with the respective safety properties.

A joint is a fine gap between two components. In doors, for example, a joint occurs between the door leaf and the frame. For optimal sound insulation, joints must always be sealed. Usually, frames have an elastic seal. It closes the joint and dampens the noise when the door is struck. When installing hinged glass doors, make sure that the closed door lies tightly on the door rebate all around. The joint sound reduction index is calculated like the sound reduction index on the basis of DIN 4109. However, it plays a lesser role in the selection of frames for glass doors.

Choose laminated glass instead of toughened glass at the time of purchase. The sound insulation of an all-glass revolving door can also be improved by special frame seals. They are already provided in many frame systems. Simply ask your door dealer for suitable solutions. Seals in existing frames should be checked regularly and replaced if necessary. The glass door must of course fit perfectly into the frame. It must not be too small. Be sure to use our measurement sheets when ordering.

Glass can generally repel sound well and thus prevent transmission. Special window panes are predestined for even the most demanding sound insulation tasks. They are made of several panes of different thicknesses (so-called asymmetrical construction) and are connected by an elastic inner film. LSG doors also consist of several layers and an elastic inner film. They therefore have good sound insulation properties and are more suitable than, for example, simple toughened glass doors.

Sound can penetrate through the smallest openings. This also applies to the floor gap between the door leaf and the floor. Those who value high sound insulation should additionally seal the floor gap. But beware: When installing glass doors, a certain gap height must always be maintained, as pebbles and dirt could otherwise damage the sensitive glass edge and thus the door. Therefore, seals made of soft brushes are used for glass doors. They are almost invisible and do not block small dirt particles. This way, neither the glass door is damaged nor the floor is scratched.

The more mass a door has, the more sound-absorbing the material is and the better the door seals, the better it protects against noise. Wooden doors are thicker but not generally more sound-absorbent than glass doors. With sliding doors, it is important to use a suitable sealing system. It closes the open gap between the door leaf and the wall.

The sound insulation value of a glass door is influenced by the weight and thickness of the glass, the material rigidity and the space between the panes (the so-called SZR in the case of multi-layer construction). LSG glass doors are generally thicker than TSG doors and have a higher sound insulation value for this reason alone. The two-layer structure creates an intermediate space that is filled with an elastic film. This absorbs sound. The connection is stable but elastic.

The best place to buy is from specialised retailers, such as glaziers or timber merchants. You can view and compare the products of different manufacturers and designers in online shops as well as in stationary specialist shops. You can find recommended dealers online at https://www.griffwerk.de/en/store-locator/

Glass doors cannot be subsequently shortened in height or width. When ordering the glass door, the appropriate size should therefore always be ordered. Special sizes are also possible. For a small surcharge, most glass doors are also available in a white glass version. These have a special lighting effect and brilliantly accentuate decors.

Not at all. A glass door made of safety glass cannot be shortened or cut. Doors made of safety glass include TSG (toughened safety glass) or LSG (laminated safety glass) doors. The manufacturing process of a safety glass door hardens the glass. Due to the tempering of the glass, the glass door would shatter if it were shortened.

Glass is insensitive to acids, alkalis and solvents but is sensitive to scratches. Cleaning utensils should therefore be clean and soft. It is best to clean glass with plenty of clean water and a microfiber cloth or sponge. If necessary, commercial cleaners can be used. With laminated safety glass, care must be taken to ensure that the laminated film is not exposed to high levels of moisture. It is sufficient to simply dry it off so that any remaining moisture is removed.

LSG prime glass doors can withstand a lot. This is already due to the fact that the door leaf is made of two TSG panes. LSG has a significantly higher stability than normal float glass. For example, the bending strength alone is three times as high. The impact and shock resistance is also significantly better. These properties are achieved by a thermal pre-treatment of the ready-cut TSG pane. The glass is heated and then cooled relatively quickly. Two different tensions are created in the glass. There is compressive stress on the inside and tensile stress on the surface. Unfortunately, these stress conditions also have disadvantages, because TSG becomes very sensitive at the edges. The edges are actually the weakest point of a pane. This also applies to LSG glass doors.

In the case of a glass breakage, the fragments of a laminated glass door do not only adhere to the film on the inside. The entire glass door remains suspended in the anchorage due to the high tensile strength of the film. It therefore does not fall to the floor and does not splinter into the room. LSG is therefore indispensable for overhead roofing in particular. The residual load-bearing capacity naturally also increases safety in the event of glass breakage in living areas.

The two-layer structure of a laminated safety glass door would also double the green tint present in regular float glass. We therefore recommend colour-neutral white glass PURE WHITE BY GRIFFWERK for glass doors made of laminated safety glass - especially if these are to be frosted over a large area, as the frosting further emphasises the inherent colour of the material.

Yes, of course, tinted glass can be processed into LSG doors. As a rule, however, special functional foils are used. The inner foil processed in a laminated glass door can be matt, opaque or colored and can even be printed with motifs. Double-sided frosted glass doors are particularly elegant. This is also possible with LSG glass.

We recommend a thickness of 10.8 mm for larger formats. In principle, toughened safety glass or laminated safety glass doors with a thickness of 8.8 mm can also be installed. However, due to the height and the larger amount of glass, we would advise a LSG door with a thickness of 10.8 mm. Room-height doors appear remarkably spacious and create an open living feeling. In LSG, they are of particularly high quality.

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.

No. Since our LSG glass doors are made of TSG panes, they cannot be cut. Due to the stress conditions in the single-pane safety glass (TSG), normal cutting wheels cannot be used. The glass would shatter. Later adjustment of your door is also not necessary. Griffwerk offers all common formats in its range. Special sizes can be ordered. It is best to use our practical measurement sheets to order your new glass door. So nothing can go wrong and everything fits perfectly.

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.

LSG doors are more expensive than TSG doors. After all, the manufacturing process is much more complex. If you have to pay closer attention to your budget, you can only use LSG doors where extra safety is particularly important. This is the case in some rooms, for example on staircases where there is a risk of tripping, in narrow corridors, in bathrooms (where floors can become slippery), at room transitions where there can be strong draughts and, in general, always in places where people who are in particular need of protection, such as children or elderly people, are present. In any case, only doors made of safety glass should be used - regardless of whether they are TSG or LSG. We offer many designs in both types of glass.

If you want to make your home as barrier-free as possible, glass doors made of laminated safety glass are also a good choice. We also recommend doors with large-area decorations or frosted backs, as these are more visible. The purchase is worthwhile. It always feels good to invest in a little more security and comfort.

Which glass variant is best depends greatly on the place of use. In highly frequented areas, we recommend laminated safety glass doors. Even if the home is rather turbulent, e.g. because children are running around, it makes sense to invest in a higher-quality LSG glass.

Both glasses provide a safe living feeling. TSG is very robust and insensitive to impacts on the surface. When damaged, it breaks into small crumbs. This prevents deep, serious cuts. With a laminated safety glass door, all shards also stick to the composite film, comparable to the windshield of a car. The shards do not splinter into the room. The door continues to hang in its anchorage due to the extremely tear-resistant foil. Interior foils for laminated safety glass are so efficient that they are also used for burglar-proof glass and are even produced in bullet-proof versions. LSG Prime doors from Griffwerk combine the security properties of ESG and LSG.

With warm water and a sponge or a soft, lint-free towel. Clean large areas, not selectively.
Residues such as fingerprints can also be removed with commercially available glass cleaner (foam cleaner). Please do not use any abrasive, corrosive, acidic or alkaline cleaning agents. They attack the surface. Wipe excess water dry with a microfibre cloth. Because: If water acts on the glass door over a longer period of time, stubborn limescale residues can form.
In the case of laminated glass doors, do not allow the edge seal to come into contact with water, otherwise moisture and cleaning agents will penetrate between the connected glass panes.

White glass has a special lighting effect, allows a particularly large amount of light into the room and shows off decors to brilliant effect. For the production of white glass PURE WHITE by GRIFFWERK, the iron oxide content is reduced to minimise the green cast.

Glass doors allow natural daylight into every living space. Rooms appear larger thanks to transparent room transitions. A glass door offers privacy through opaque matting, but still lets light into the interior. ESG and VSG glass offer certified safety. Individual motifs on the glass door create a creative interior design. Glass doors are durable as they are less susceptible to scratches and wear. The material of the glass door has no evaporation and thus contributes to healthy living.

Yes. Existing frames for wooden doors can also be used for glass doors. When installing a glass door, please note whether 2-part hinges or 3-part hinges are to be used. To match the respective hinges, only the frame section needs to be replaced, readjusted and screwed tight. Then just hang it in place. That's it.

For glass doors, you can use your existing frame.

Yes, you can easily put the handle in a horizontal position, loosen the bezel, unscrew the screws and pull off the old window handle. Put the new window handle back horizontally with the square into the frame and tighten the screws. Then put the new cover on it and the new window handle is ready.

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.

A window olive is simply the window handle. The name comes from the fact that in the past the handles were small and oval, resembling an olive. Today, the shape is quite different, but the name has remained.

Lockable window handles protect from the outside and from the inside: Inside, they prevent, for example, small children from opening windows and falling out, or persons with dementia from opening windows unnoticed, which then remain open and are an invitation for burglars.

From the outside, they provide some burglary protection: burglars like to drill or punch a hole in the pane next to the window handle. This then allows them to reach the handle, open the window and easily enter the home. A lockable window handle prevents this.

Yes, there are special window handles suitable for people with handicaps, for example those with larger levers or automatic opening mechanisms - Griffwerk does not offer these.

Window handles with lock function provide additional security by preventing the window from being opened from the outside.

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.

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. 

Colors and shapes of window handles determine how the entire room looks. In a playful country house living room, the CAROLA window handle from Griffwerk is certainly more appropriate than in a loft-style room. There, a simple design with clear contours, such as the SIEGER DESIGN MINIMAL MODERN window handle, is more convincing. A golden element has a different effect than a black one. An angular window handle with clear edges contrasts more than a curved handle.

Plastic window handles are cheaper than stainless steel handles. Brass, stainless steel, aluminum or chrome wears out less. The interior style also affects the choice of window handles: For example, in an Art Nouveau room, an ornate brass handle would be better than a no-frills black window handle.

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

Stainless steel window handles do not need any surface protection. Stainless steel is more resistant to scratches and abrasion than any other material. Make sure that screws and pins are also made of stainless steel - otherwise there is a risk of rust and contact erosion.

A window handle with push button is basically a normal handle with an additional lock button. If the lock button is pressed, the handle can be used normally. If the button is not pressed, the handle is restricted in its movement. When you close the window, the latch engages. Pressing the lock button or the push button unlocks the window and it can be opened again. 

Window handles with a push-button are mainly used as child safety devices. For example, children can put a window in the tilt position, but not open it completely - for their own safety.

Sometimes these handles are also used in combination with a lock cylinder and the corresponding key. Here, a key must first be inserted in order to be able to exert pressure on the knob.

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.

The window handles from Griffwerk can be individually matched to other design elements. Choose your window handle in the same look as your door handle or show your colours and surprise with strong contrasts: At Griffwerk, every taste will find what it is looking for.

As a renowned manufacturer of handles of all kinds, we at Griffwerk always try to cater to individual needs. Griffwerk window handles can be made with different square spindle lengths and can therefore be used in any window frame. On request, we produce special designs with variable pin lengths. Contact us!

Fenstergriffe von Griffwerk liegen aufgrund ihres edlen Designs und der hochwertigen Materialien im mittleren bis oberen Preissegment. Einfache Fenstergriffe erhalten Sie ab 28 Euro, abschließbare Fenstergriffe ab 116 Euro.

Yes, lockable window handles can be standardised. To be more precise, this is DIN 18267 for "latchable, lockable and lockable window handles". The standard specifies certain dimensions that can be applied to all types of window handles: Square spindle 7 mm and screw joint spacing 43 mm. However, window handles with lift-slide, lift-slide-tilt or parallel slide-tilt elements are not covered by this standard. 

In addition, the DIN EN 13126-3 standard for window and door hardware applies to all window handles. It specifies certain quality standards, but no dimensions.

Our lockable window handles from Griffwerk are of course standardised handles.

The right hardware for the professional installation of the window handle is supplied by Griffwerk. Depending on the version, the handle is mounted with a square pin and suitable screws. For further information on mounting, please visit our homepage or contact your specialist dealer.

Window handles are firmly anchored in the window frame. Their function is to close or open the window easily and silently. Whether for ventilation or protection from rain - a window with a handle is essential and gives a feeling of security. Even if you like to put your window in the tilt position, you need a window handle for this. You can find high-quality window handles for your house or flat at Griffwerk - in all kinds of colours and shapes, ideally matched to your interior design style.

First you should loosen the cover of the previous window handle. When doing this, align the handle horizontally so that you can reach the screws that connect the handle and the window. Now turn the cover that sits over the screws. If the cover is glued, loosen it carefully with a cutter knife.

Then remove the screws and pull off the window handle. Screws that are stuck can be loosened with a little oil.

Now you should clean the area where the handle was attached very thoroughly.

Finally, mount the new window handle. Hold it in the same horizontal position as the old handle. Now fix the square pin into the window frame. Now screw the new handle on as tightly as possible. Then close the new cover. Your window handle is now ready for use.

Window handles are fixed to the window frame with the help of a 7 mm square pin. The thickness of the window determines how deep the square spindle must be pushed into the window in order to lock it optimally.

We recommend the following trick for measuring: Take a thin object, e.g. a knitting needle, and push it into the opening as far as it will go. Mark the spot with your fingernail or tape. Then measure the distance with a tape measure.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Glass fittings are made of sturdy material, such as metal, stainless steel, brass or aluminum.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Noise leads to tension and stress as well as to sleep and concentration problems. It should be noted that noise is perceived differently. Whether noises are classified as disturbing varies from person to person. Previous experience and preferences influence the subjective perception. However, the higher the noise level, the more likely it is to have an unpleasant effect. Frequency and duration are also important. During sleep or concentrated work (learning), noises are perceived as particularly disturbing. Once perception is sensitised, the stress factor increases. This creates a vicious circle, because stress in turn makes us more sensitive to noise.

The term is related to the word "alarm" and comes from the Italian "all'arme" (to arms). Noise is colloquially understood as loud, unpleasant sounds that are perceived as disturbing. Bright sounds are usually perceived as more disturbing than low sounds. In addition, rhythmically recurring noises (hammering) are rated particularly negatively. Noise pollution can be caused by means of transport (cars, trains...), industry (industrial estate), construction sites, but also by neighbouring schools or leisure facilities. Last but not least, different opinions among neighbours cause annoyance. Even within one's own four walls, noise can impair the quality of life. What is legally considered noise or inadmissible noise emission must be evaluated in a very differentiated manner.

While the noise level is indicated in decibels, the unit Hertz stands for the frequency, i.e. the number of regularly occurring processes per second. The unit was named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz. Humming, low-pitched noises, such as those produced by a car engine, have frequencies below 1000 Hz. The human ear can perceive a range of 10-10000 hertz. The higher the frequency, the higher the sound. Up to 18 000 hertz is called high-frequency sound. Ultrasound is above this and is only heard by some animals such as dogs or bats. Dark tones correspond to slow waves and light tones to very fast waves.

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.

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.

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.

For the furnishings, always choose furniture made of materials with good absorption properties. High-pile carpets, curtains or a large sofa absorb a lot of sound, while smooth, hard surfaces increase the reverberation effect. It is important to create a good balance of open spaces and sound-absorbing furnishings.

In open floor plans, there are fewer sound barriers, so noise can spread unhindered. Generous floor areas, ceilings and window fronts can reflect sounds well. In addition, so-called diffuse sound is created, which reduces speech intelligibility in the form of unpleasant reverberations. In addition, the more residents live together, the higher the potential noise level and the more attention must be paid to good building and room acoustics.

Sound can be compared well with water waves. Similar to these, it basically spreads out in all directions from the source. However, some sound sources, such as a loudspeaker, generate a directional sound field. Sound is absorbed or deflected by the surface it hits. It can therefore change direction. Incidentally, it is also true for sound that the angle of incidence corresponds to the angle of reflection. So if sound hits a reflecting surface perpendicularly, it is also reflected back directly. If, on the other hand, it hits at a flat or acute angle, it is deflected according to the angle of incidence.

The softer, more porous and elastic a material is, the better it absorbs sound waves. Rough surfaces ensure that incident sound is scattered. Scattered sound waves are smaller and therefore quickly lose power. Sound-hard materials include stone, screed, concrete, steel, aluminium and simple glass. Materials that do not themselves vibrate strongly (such as glass) prevent sound from being transmitted from room to room. However, a blanket statement for a building material cannot be made. Many manufacturers offer products with improved sound insulation properties. Anyone who attaches importance to good room acoustics should seek advice during the construction phase.

Wooden floors are a well-known example. If you make a wooden floor vibrate by treading on it, you create mechanical waves and thus sound. If there were a hollow space underneath, you would have a kind of resonating body like a violin. The resulting sound would be amplified. A free-standing metal or wooden staircase is also very loud because it can vibrate well. The ceiling is often forgotten in terms of room acoustics. However, it is a very strong and large-surface sound reflector.

A distinction is made between airborne sound and structure-borne sound. Sound can therefore propagate not only in the air but also in bodies or materials. Only in a vacuum would there be no sound waves. Solid materials and liquids conduct sound even better than air. The speed in air is about 333 metres per second, in rubber only 40 metres, in water 1480 metres, in wood up to 5500 metres and in steel even 6,000 metres (which corresponds to over 21,000 km/h !). Concrete and stone can have similarly high values. In summary, the less a building material can be made to vibrate, the less it transmits sound.

Reverberation is caused by the reflection of a sound wave. The sound hits a surface and is reflected by it. Basically, all sounds in a room reverberate until they have lost their vibrational energy. The reverberation time therefore describes the time from the origin of the sound to its decay. The sound level plays a role here. The louder the sound, the longer it reverberates.

The easiest way to assess the room acoustics is to clap your hands. Depending on the room, the sound echoes clearly, seems louder or only muffled. In empty rooms, the noise is of course always stronger than when the room is furnished. This is due to the larger, free reflection surfaces that reflect the sound back. The popular large windows, bare walls and possibly bare concrete floors of modern architecture unfortunately make rooms seem particularly reverberant, which reduces the quality of living. On the other hand, care should be taken to use sound-absorbent materials in the furnishings. Anyone who needs a precise analysis should consult a specialist.

According to the minimum requirement of DIN 4109-1 (Sound insulation in building construction v. January 2028), sound insulation class 1 applies to flat entrance doors. The requirements must be fulfilled for rooms that are used for permanent residence, as is the case with flats. Within the own living area, no mandatory regulations are to be complied with.

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)

The sound reduction index of a door is measured in Rw,P and determined in a laboratory on a test bench. In the installed state, the values can deviate due to the environment and installation; in this respect, one assumes approx. 5 dB and speaks of a so-called conditional measurement. This means that the actual test value of a door (Rw,P) must be at least 5 dB higher than prescribed for the respective application. The requirement is measured in Rw,R. The formula is therefore: Rw,R = Rw,P - 5 dB. Detailed information is recorded in DIN 4109 or VDI 4100.

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.

In a narrower sense, room acoustics deals with the acoustics within a room. Sound source and receiver are located in the same room. A distinction is made between room acoustics and building acoustics. The latter deals with the transmission of sound from room to room. Both phenomena play a role in the planning of living spaces, because the less noise is generated in a room or is already attenuated in the vicinity of the sound source, the less it can penetrate into other rooms.

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.

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.

The European standard DIN EN 1627 defines the resistance of burglar-proof building elements such as doors. It has been valid since September 2011 and replaces the previous pre-standard DIN V ENV 1627. To ensure effective protection against burglary, all components should be coordinated with each other. Attached is a table showing the correlation between DIN EN 1627 and DIN 18257.

Old windows and doors are an invitation for every burglar. Outdated doors must either be replaced as a whole assembly, i.e. including the frames, or retrofitted as best as possible. The easiest way is to at least change the front door fitting. Doors can then still be opened by force, for example by massive entry, but this causes noise and the destroyed door is clearly visible. Thieves prefer more inconspicuous methods. What applies to doors must also be observed for windows. If it is not possible to replace windows, at least burglar-resistant fittings should be chosen. Window grilles also do a good job. They must be installed professionally and are always advisable, especially for cellar windows that are difficult to see. Those who close roller shutters are also better protected. Entrances can also be illuminated or equipped with electronic security measures, for example cameras, motion detectors or alarm systems.

A protection class always refers to the resistance of the material to an attempted burglary. For private dwellings with normal to increased risk, the protection provided by doors and windows of classes RC 1 - 3 is considered sufficient. RC 3 essentially corresponds to resistance class 3. From the higher classes onwards, even experienced offenders can be fended off who use heavy tools such as a percussion axe or a drill to attack the windows or doors. However, occasional offenders tend to use simple tools that can be hidden inconspicuously, such as screwdrivers, pliers or wedges.

One would assume that burglars are most active at night and during holidays. However, this is only true for 15% of burglaries. According to studies, the high season for burglars at the end of the year is between October and December. If burglaries occur at night, they are most likely to occur in the morning hours between 2 and 4 am. At this time, residents and neighbours are thought to be fast asleep. However, a break-in in broad daylight between 10 am and 6 pm is much more likely. Studies have shown that this is true for more than half of all burglaries. By no means are only single-family homes affected: In the morning between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., flats in apartment buildings are the focus of criminals. Another frightening fact: in about 13 % of the burglaries in one study, the residents were inside the house. Statistically speaking, a break-in is statistically most unlikely on Sundays, and more likely on Thursdays and Fridays.

Cash is always sought and stolen, of course. Jewellery and watches, however, are number 1 on the hit list of the most popular stolen goods. In addition, small electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and cameras are also taken. A widescreen TV is tempting, but harder to transport, so it may be spared.

Statistically, burglars tend to be young, between 20 and 30 years old, and male. There is also something to be said about nationality: according to the 2016 report of the German Insurance Association, over half of the suspects are of German origin, so typical clichés are not fulfilled. Anyone who expects black clothing that is ready for film is also wrong. Criminals try to look as inconspicuous as possible. Light, colourful clothing with conspicuous features is avoided and dark clothing gives more camouflage at night, but typical clothing cannot be described per se. The more normal the criminal appears, the more successful he can be in carrying out his plan. Large pockets are also not an indication: a screwdriver is simply hidden, and jewellery, credit cards and money fit into a jacket pocket. More meaningful is the behaviour and to what extent the presence of a person deviates from the usual and cannot be explained. Also interesting: According to the above report, surprisingly more than 40% of the burglars come from the direct environment of the victims.

A good and attentive neighbourhood is worth a lot. So make sure you talk to your neighbours if they are planning to be away for a long time. Watch out for strange visitors in the residential area. A few days before a planned break-in, a patrol usually patrols the area. The accomplices look for suitable objects and try to find out as much as possible, for example when a resident is at home, whether a dog lives in the house, how many people live there and how the entrances are secured. Sometimes houses are even marked with so-called crook tines in the form of chalk markings. To find out whether a house is currently occupied, strips of tape are attached inconspicuously to the entrance or garden door. In this way it can be seen whether it has been opened. Sometimes a parcel note is left behind or a small detail is changed, such as moving the doormat. Pay attention to such signs and inform the police if this happens.

Of course, the location of the flat and also the environment around windows and doors plays a role. All areas around the house that provide coverage are particularly sensitive. These include the backs of gardens, cellar exits (!), side doors at garages or entrances with adjacent dense vegetation, which allows thieves to retreat quickly. The more cover there is, the more undisturbed offenders can proceed. So the rule is: the more endangered the location, the more should be secured. In addition, burglars want an undisturbed escape route. Less used paths along the back of the garden are ideal from the point of view of criminals. They can already be used for spying on suitable objects. So avoid dense embankments, provide good lighting and install motion detectors where necessary. One more tip: a study has actually shown that dog warning signs deter thieves. It is less a question of fear of the bite than of the noise that the four-legged friend might make.

It is advisable to equip windows and doors with burglar-resistant protective fittings, but rethinking daily habits also helps to prevent burglaries: even on hot summer nights, do not leave windows and patio doors open and always close all roller shutters at night. Windows should not be left unattended in the tilt position and doors should not only be closed but also locked when leaving the flat. This is advisable for insurance reasons, as a burglary is only considered to be proven if traces of forced entry are visible. If this is not the case, it can be assumed that the residents have been negligent. The insurance company does not then have to pay for the damage. Ground level patio and balcony doors are a major weak point. However, balconies that can be accessed, for example, via an adjacent garage roof, are also popular with thieves.

Single-family homes account for a smaller share of almost 30%. By contrast, flats in multi-family houses (67%) are particularly at risk, especially those on the ground floor. Here it is particularly important to equip windows and doors with burglar-resistant features. Why multi-family houses are preferred can only be guessed at: The more flats there are, the more anonymous is the relationship between the tenants and so it is easier to act as a thief. This is why communication-intensive two-family houses bring up the rear with 5.8 percent. Long-time thieves would quickly attract attention here. By the way, statistically speaking, the upper floors in apartment buildings are particularly popular targets for burglaries. Criminals can disguise themselves as representatives or service providers and thus gain access to the stairwell. On the upper floors, hardly any neighbours pass by. They can go about their business undisturbed.

Anyone who wants to protect themselves and their belongings from burglars is faced with a difficult choice: Which measures are sensible and how much security precaution must be taken? One thing first: Basically, when it comes to burglary protection, it is always about so-called burglary-resistant measures. They serve to extend the resistance time, i.e. the time that the material withstands until the burglar has made it into the room. This significantly increases the risk of detection and effectively deters criminals. Since thieves usually enter the living space through poorly secured windows and doors, it makes sense to equip them with protective fittings in such a way that entry is made decisively more difficult. An all-round concept from front door fittings to window protection makes sense, because every weak point is an invitation that can be used by the burglar.