How to stop magnetic door closers disintegrating in sun?

Question

I have these things that hold shutters closed

they are facing a window So the sunlight disintegrates them every couple of years

from what I can work out the sun makes the plastic brittle and then the force of the door opening and closing the magnet shatters the edges

why are they so rubbish and how can I get something that does not disintegrate? or can I cover them with something

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @bara3,

Just checking in to see how you ended up going with the magnetic catches. Did you end up swapping over to a metal version or trying some sort of UV shield for them?

Would be great to hear how they’ve been holding up if you’ve already made the change.

Mitchell

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @bara3,

That style of magnetic latch is usually designed for internal cabinet doors, where it is protected from harsh conditions. The UV exposure is what is causing the issue. It breaks down the plastic over time, making it brittle, and then the normal force of the magnet grabbing and releasing causes it to crack and fail.

If you want something that will last, switching to a metal-bodied catch like the

https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-48mm-zinc-plated-magnetic-door-catch_p0035485

is the simplest fix. It will not suffer from UV damage the way plastic does, and you can spray paint it white so it blends in with your window frame.

Alternatively, if you want to keep the plastic version, you would need to shield it from the sun. Even a small timber cover or enclosure over the latch can help extend its life by blocking direct UV exposure, but upgrading to a metal version is the more reliable long term solution.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell