Installing a two-way pen on the balcony door in Minsk: solving the problem of smoke and safety
The owners of a flat came to me with a seemingly small but very tiresome problem. People smoked on the balcony, and the tobacco smoke kept getting into the room. The standard latch on the balcony door held it closed but didn't provide an airtight seal. To cope somehow, the owners tied the door with a cord, pressing it tighter. That helped, but it was inconvenient and unreliable. There was also the risk of accidentally slamming the door and being locked out on the balcony (such cases, sadly, aren't rare). I, Dmitry, a window repair master with 20 years' experience, offered a simple and elegant solution — fitting a two-sided handle.
What the problem was
- An ordinary balcony latch doesn't give a tight seal. It only fixes the door in the closed position, but a gap remains — and through it come smoke, cold and noise.
- The risk of being locked in. If the door slams shut and the handle is only on one side, you can't open it from the balcony.
What a two-sided handle gives
- A tight seal. The handle presses the door properly — no more smoke, cold or draughts.
- Safety. There's a handle on the outside too, so you can open the door from the balcony at any moment.
- Convenience. No more cords and ties — you just close the door from whichever side you're on.
How the installation went
In this order everything turned out fairly simple. I removed the old handle, fitted a new two-sided model (matched to the colour of the existing hardware), connected it to the mechanism and adjusted the pressure. The whole job took about an hour. The clients were pleased — now they can smoke on the balcony without worrying that the smoke will go into the room, and without fearing that someone will accidentally slam the door.
An important nuance
A two-sided handle can't be fitted to every balcony door. It depends on the type of profile and hardware. In some cases adaptation is needed, or fitting is impossible due to design features. I always carry out a preliminary diagnosis and tell you whether this improvement is possible in your case. If a two-sided handle isn't suitable, there's an alternative — fitting an additional latch with a petal handle on the outside.
Frequently asked questions
Is such a handle suitable if the door faces an unglazed balcony? Yes, of course. There are models with protection against moisture and dust. I'll help choose a suitable option.
Do you give a warranty? Yes, I provide a written warranty of up to a year on all work.
Why come to me
- 20 years of experience. I know all the nuances of fitting two-sided handles to different types of door.
- Free call-out and diagnosis. I'll come, assess the possibility of fitting and name the exact cost.
- Quality materials. I use only original handles from trusted brands.
- Warranty up to a year on all types of work.
Order a two-sided handle installation in Minsk
Want to forget about smoke on the balcony and the fear of being locked out? Call — I'll help make your balcony door convenient and safe.
📞 Phone: +375 (29) 135-50-50 · 🌐 rpo.by · Brand: Spravnae Akenca
