Plastic Window Frame Brands with GU Hardware

Many people think that the name on their plastic window frame is also the brand of the hardware. In practice, this often works differently. The profile brand of the frame is usually not the same as the brand of the hardware or the sliding door system.

This is important to know when repairing PSK sliding doors, tilt-and-turn windows, and lift-and-slide doors. A customer might say:

✔ “I have VEKA frames”
✔ “I have Schüco windows”
✔ “I have Kömmerling plastic frames”

But the hardware inside is often from Gretsch-Unitas.

Therefore, the profile brand alone is usually not enough to determine the correct parts.

What is a plastic profile brand?

The profile brand is the plastic system from which the frame is constructed.

Well-known profile brands that often include GU hardware are:

✔ VEKA
✔ Kömmerling
✔ Gealan
✔ Schüco
✔ Rehau
✔ Salamander
✔ Aluplast
✔ Trocal
✔ KBE
✔ Deceuninck
✔ Weru
✔ Finstral

GU hardware in plastic window frames

GU hardware is widely used in plastic windows, tilt-and-turn windows, and sliding doors.

✔ PSK sliding doors
✔ Tilt-and-turn windows
✔ Plastic sliding doors

Common systems include:

✔ GU PSK hardware
✔ GU Parallel-Schiebe-Kipp hardware
✔ GU tilt-and-turn hardware
✔ GU carriages
✔ GU lock cases and transmissions
✔ GU strike plates
✔ GU rastplatte
✔ GU locking cams

PSK stands for:

PSK (Parallel-Schiebe-Kipp hardware)

This system is widely used in plastic sliding doors from the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

GU strike plates on the side of the frame

Many GU PSK systems have special strike plates on the side of the frame. The locking cams of the hardware engage with these when the door is closed.

If these strike plates are worn or incorrectly adjusted, complaints can arise such as:

✔ The door closes heavily
✔ The handle is hard to lift
✔ The door does not close properly
✔ The door closes crookedly
✔ The door no longer locks
✔ Wear on the locking cams

In older plastic frames, we often see strike plates bent or worn out due to years of use or because the door has sagged.

GU rastplatte at the bottom

At the bottom of many GU PSK systems is a so-called rastplatte. This part ensures the correct positioning and locking of the door during closing and tilting.

If the rastplatte wears out, problems can occur such as:

✔ The door does not stay properly in position
✔ Difficult to open or close
✔ Problems with the tilt position
✔ The handle jams
✔ The door moves heavily
✔ The door does not properly engage the lock

Many people then think the entire mechanism is defective, while in practice the rastplatte or locking parts are worn.

The code on the back is important

GU strike plates and rastplatten often have a code or part number on the back. This code is important to determine the correct type.

Many GU parts look similar but have:

✔ Different heights
✔ Different widths
✔ Different locking points
✔ Different offsets
✔ Different mounting dimensions

Therefore, the code on the back is often decisive for:

✔ The correct type of strike plate
✔ The correct type of rastplatte
✔ Compatibility with the GU system
✔ The correct replacement of old parts

Many variants have been used in older plastic frames, so a photo of the back is often necessary.

Common combinations

In practice, we often see combinations such as:

✔ VEKA + GU
✔ Kömmerling + GU
✔ Gealan + GU
✔ Schüco + GU
✔ Rehau + GU

Why are photos important?

The profile brand alone is usually not enough to determine parts.

Therefore, these photos are important:

✔ Photo of the handle
✔ Photo of the hardware or type plate
✔ Photo of the closing side of the door
✔ Photo of the strike plates
✔ Photo of the back with code
✔ Photo of the rastplatte
✔ Photo of the carriages or rails
✔ Photo of the complete window or sliding door

With these, the correct parts can often be determined for repair of:

✔ PSK sliding doors
✔ Tilt-and-turn windows
✔ Plastic sliding doors
✔ GU hardware systems

For parts and technical support, you can contact
Openingstechnieken.com