Whether you own or rent a property, you need to know how to care for your doors. Our doors are the first line of defence against intruders, but also against the elements. Like many other UK homeowners, you might have UPVC doors. UPVC doors are very popular because they offer the right blend of aesthetics and functionality. However, like any other door type, UPVC doors can run into issues with their locks; how do you go about managing UPVC door lock repairs?
To glean more insight into managing UPVC door lock repairs, we contacted Lock & Key York. They are some of the most reputable and experienced locksmiths in the country, so we reached out for help. This quick guide should give you a beginner-friendly understanding of how UPVC door locks work, so you can make the most of your locks, keep them strong, and, if needed, handle any repairs.
Of course, it should go without saying that if you have any problems with your locks, you should call a locksmith ASAP. DIY UPVC door lock repairs are not exactly something that we recommend!
There are many reasons why UPVC doors remain so popular in the UK. For one, they have a more modern aesthetic style that looks a bit more up-to-date than older door types, like wood. At the same time, they tend to be a touch lower on the maintenance scale, making them easier to keep looking good. Like any other door, though, a UPVC door can run into problems with its door locks.
If you ever ran a DIY fix on a composite or wooden door lock, though, you might be surprised when you look at your UPVC door locks. They can be quite different.
Most UPVC doors use a multi-point locking system; as the name implies, this means your locks have more than one point where they secure to the door. Compared to the basic deadbolt in a wooden door, this is generally far more secure. The multi-point nature of the locking system means that a criminal would need to break through multiple locking mechanisms rather than just a single deadbolt.
This can also make it a little more difficult to carry out UPVC door lock repairs or replace your UPVC door lock. Generally, it’s better to involve a locksmith if you run into any problems beyond the very basics; MPL systems can be a bit more complicated to repair yourself.
As we touched on above, UPVC doors use a multi-point locking system. These tend to differ significantly from your typical door locks. There are many other brands for UPVC door locks: your door lock could be a Mila, a Yale lock, a GU, or even an Avocet, to name just a few popular UK brands. What matters is making sure you understand the lock mechanisms as much as you can.
Most UPVC doors today use a 3-point or 5-point locking system. At the very least, you should have three main locking points: the central deadbolt, which is the main lock mechanism. Then, there should be two hooks – one at the top and one towards the bottom of the door. In a standard deadbolt lock, the criminal needs only to manipulate this; with an MPL system, as you get in UPVC doors, there are two (or four) more locks to try and break through. That lengthens the time it takes to break into your home.
Most UPVC door locks today make use of a lock cylinder, which is where the key is placed to unlock the door. A cylinder is generally more secure and harder to break into than simpler lock types, but it can also become too tight or too loose over time, necessitating UPVC door lock repairs.
Generally, you need to make sure that any UPVC door lock you have has a high-quality cylinder. The best models are TS007 3-Star rated or Sold Secure SS312 Diamond rated. These are designed to be anti-snap protected, removing one of the most effective ways to break through a door lock from a burglar's repertoire. If your lock cylinder is not a TS007 3-Star or SS312 Diamond, replace it ASAP.
One of the most commonly reported problems in most UPVC door lock repairs comes down to the door not being properly aligned. Alignment can shift for all manner of reasons, from physical damage to the door to the property subsiding a little – this happens over time, especially with newer buildings.
Many alignment issues only make themselves apparent when you close the door over, though. Try to close your UPVC door over; do the locks feel as if they are fighting against you when you try to lock or unlock the door? Then there is a decent chance that your door has become misdiagnosed.
This could mean that the door itself has shifted its position, or that the door frame has shifted and brought the door along with it. Either way, it likely means that your UPVC door lock no longer lines up with where the lock is fixed into the door. The bolt or latch might not be catching with the strike plate due to an alignment issue. Luckily, re-aligning UPVC doors is an easy task for most professionals.
As you can see, then, UPVC door locks are generally of a high standard. They play a key role in keeping your home secure – but, like any other lock type, they are not invincible. Problems can emerge.
That’s why, if you are having trouble with your UPVC door locks, you should contact a professional. If you notice any signs that your locks are jamming, misaligned, or need to be replaced, contact a locksmith. It is always better to get a professional appraisal of the matter; otherwise, you might make the issue worse.
Do not ignore any signs of trouble with your UPVC door locks or window locks. Contact an expert ASAP, and you can get many more years out of them. Whether your door has become misaligned or the lock itself has snapped, broken, failed, rusted, etc., it’s more useful to call the pros than ignore the issue.
