Frequently Asked Questions

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

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.

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 door fitting dimensions are standardized - such as the square spindle and the distance between the lever handle and keyhole.

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

For all room doors, the keyhole is 72 millimetres from the center of the lever handle.

Please note: The external 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 particularly suitable for rooms with limited space, such as small apartments or offices, and for areas where a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas is desired, such as terraces or balconies. They are also a popular choice for wardrobes, bathrooms, kitchens and as room dividers in large rooms.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you want sound insulation, you can opt for glass doors. In principle, all-glass hinged doors can provide sound insulation up to class 2 (SK2 according to DIN 4109) - in other words, they offer the same sound insulation as wooden doors. This is mainly due to the fact that glass reflects 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 laminated safety glass has sound-insulating properties, unlike simple toughened safety glass (ESG). The sound insulation film is softer and decouples the panes. This improves sound insulation.
A special feature of glass doors is that they need a gap at the bottom to prevent dirt particles such as small stones from damaging the glass. This minor disadvantage is easy to compensate for: with sound-absorbing materials in the rooms - such as deep-pile carpets or curtains.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.