Consequently, these larger doors are usually prescribed in dark, preferably black colours. Combined with current 3-point latches with anti-burglary hooks, these doors make them very susceptible to dilation. The large aluminium surfaces expand sensitively when heated by the sun and the door leaf deforms inwards on the lock side. The hooks of the 3-point lock get stuck and the door is impossible to close or unlock.

Annoyance for the homeowner and desperation for the window and door manufacturer is the result.

The cause of this problem is obvious: the aluminium outer plate of the door is glued to the sash profile. The expansion when both aluminium masses heat up is pernicious for the proper functioning of the door.

A solution to this natural problem of expansion of a highly conductive material like aluminium does not really exist. One cannot possibly change a material property.

The solution would be to allow the outer plate to move independently from the sash profile during expansion, just like a lead flashing can move freely over roof tiles.

Architects know better than anyone that sometimes 2 materials are better insulated from each other than opposed.

How can you make the outer plate of a door move freely with respect to the door leaf while it is attached to it?

Gluing the 2 parts is not an option, as this is what causes the dilation problem.

Glue and 2-sided tape do not allow enough movement. Mechanical joints are also out of the question. The outer sheet moves due to expansion in width and height. Mechanical fastening does not allow such movement.

When unfolding an iPad, the solution to the problem was offered out of the blue. The iPad's smart cover is magnetically attached to the device. Movement to the left and right remains possible, but the cover remains fixed to the iPad.

The same magnetic principle had to be tested for wing-cover doors!

An ordinary recessed panel was fitted with 16 magnets, each with 30 kg pulling power. The aluminium front panel was fitted with 3 2.5 mm thick steel bars.

Assembly on the door wing of the door assembly went smoothly and the heating of the front plate could begin.

The electric patio heaters were positioned 1 metre away. The temperature of the front plate was tracked, as well as the expansion of the outer plate.
As long as the door could be opened and closed and locked, the heating continued. At a surface temperature of the door leaf of 90°, the test was stopped and considered successful.

The dilation problem resulting in the impossibility of unlocking the door on sunny days had been solved.
Only later were the other advantages of this innovative ‘Magetude’ system discovered.

Assembly at the customer window and door manufacturer ALU and PVC was much shorter because gluing was no longer necessary. Time savings turned out to be 2 hours and in addition, the work flow was not interrupted.

To prevent damage after windproofing new buildings, one can leave the front panel in the workshop and only install the built-in panel. Only on completion does one place the front plate on the magnets. Discussions about damage between installation and completion are hereby excluded.
As the outer plate with its steel strips can be removed at any time, all parts of the door can be replaced. The mechanically fitted glass can be effortlessly replaced in case of glass breakage.

Ornamental frames and skirting boards are riveted to the faceplate from the inside and are thus interchangeable.

The door pull, however large, does not need to be fixed through. No annoying fixing bolts to be seen on the inside of the door. The puller is fixed only to the outer plate and is thus always replaceable.
The gap between the fitting panel and the alu 2.5 mm outer plate, where the steel bars and magnets are, can also be used very usefully.
Door pulls can be perfectly drained via this area.

It is also perfect for low-voltage operation to supply LED lighting for surface-mounted or recessed door pulls or illuminated house numbers on the door leaf.
In addition, the gap can also be filled with acoustic insulation ‘acoutex’.

What once started with a complaint message has evolved into an innovative leaf-covering door system offering many more advantages than originally intended.