Blog Post

UPVC door specialist and advice? We can help

July 31, 2021

UPVC door locks (often called plastic doors) can be frustrating for a homeowner. We aim to take out all the frustration of owning a UPVC door and providing all services related to UPVC door locks and mechanisms.

First, we will briefly explain what a UPVC door lock consits of. Then we will go through the most common faults our UPVC lock specialists come across, how we repair UPVC locks and a UPVC door lock price guide.

1. A multi-point locking mechanism - This is normally a strip down the edge of the door with a few cases that sit inside the door itself and bolts that come out the door and go into the frame.

2. A cylinder - This normally sits inside the door and is accessed with the key from the outside and inside (sometimes only the outside is operated by a key as a knob is used on the inside for fire safety) and a screw on the edge of the door.

3. A handle set - These sit on each side of the door and are used to operate the latch and the locking mechanism/ bolts.

4. Hinges - These are often overlooked and are an important component of a UPVC Door. When adjusted correctly they can ensure that your door will last a lot longer as it won't be dropping so rapidly.

UPVC Door with incorrect size euro fitted

Now we have gone through the components of a UPVC door we will go through a few common issues our UPVC door locksmith comes across.

UPVC Door Won’t lock/ shut - I cant lift the handle and turn the Key

Both of these issues are usually caused by one of two reasons

1. The door is out of alignment. Yes seems simple but in hot and cold weather the plastic shifts resulting in dropping doors. This throws the bolts and latch out of alignment also resulting in additional wear and tear on the mechanism inside the door.

2. The door trim rubber has moved & is not sitting properly stopping the door from shutting correctly. If you have recently installed draft excluders, remove them as well. UPVC doors when installed and maintained correctly offer amazing draft exclusion.

Keys goes in lock & turns but won’t open

UPVC/Composite Door

If the key goes into the lock smoothly and turns, but the handles won't go down and the door won’t open, this usually means the multi-point lock has failed or a security bolt or hook has jammed. In these situations you will either have to use another door or call an Emergency UPVC locksmith.

Why won't my key turn in my UPVC door lock?

The top reasons your UPVC door won't unlock are:

1. UPVC Multipoint lock may need repairing or replacing

2. Door and frame not fitting correctly or are out of alignment

3. The handles have been forced up to lock and the delicate mechanism has broken

4. General wear and tear

The best solution for these issues are, in order:

Replace your mechanism. They are often supplied welded or riveted shut and opening one up will cause you more problems than solutions. Best to call a UPVC door lock specialist.
This can usually be solved with a UPVC door realignment. This can be done yourself by tightening the alan key screws in the hinges. Which ones to tighten and whihc ones to loosen depends on the door and hinges in question. Again, probably best to call a UPVC door locksmith who will be able to adjust and service your UPVC door giving it many more years of service.
Once the mechanism is broken, whether in the open position or locked position - it's best to call a UPVC door locksmith. They will be able to diagnose which part of the mechanism is broken, open your door and replace the parts that need replacing. UPVC door mechanisms come in many shapes, sizes and forms - for this its best to call a mobile UPVC door locksmith.

4. This can usually be solved with a simple UPVC door home service. We advise washing the mechanism in a liquid lubricant without opening it, once dried go ahead and fill it up with a silicone based lubricant. This will ensure all the small gears and moving parts inside the mechanism run smoothly against each other. Liquid lubricant is not enough! Tighten the screws (not too tight) along the edge of the door and make sure all locking points line up correctly visually.

How we can help you with your UPVC door lock problems.

There are a number of reasons why your UPVC Door or Window lock will need repairing if it is broken or damaged, you will either be able to fix the faulty lock or you might need a lock replacement.

Contact your nearest locksmith who can help advise you on the best solution.

The most common locks to be repaired are UPVC locks on door and windows, which are found on your domestic home front & back doors, they can also be found on French and patio doors.

Plastic Door or window will not lock

The UPVC lock is jammed/stuck

Key will not fully turn in the cylinder

Key goes in the lock but will not turn

UPVC Door won’t shut close

Our UPVC Locksmith can repair or replace many different types of UPVC locking mechanisms usually on site.

UPVC locking mechanisms have evolved over time with the security levels offered originating with the latch and roller style mechanism’s and now usually latch, deadbolt and hook variants on offer from most high-security upvc/composite door sets and brands.

We can also upgrade out of date MultiPoint locking mechanisms.

Our locksmiths can also usually upgrade any out of date UPVC multi-point locking mechanisms for the higher security, hook and bolt style higher security locking units. There are a lot of obsolete brands from overseas who no longer manufacture those specific models. This means the door and frame need to be adjusted, another job or locksmiths are expert at.

UPVC Locksmith price guide

Gain access broken UPVC door - From £75 - £145 depending on level of damage internally.

UPVC mechanism or cylinder replacement labour - From £69 to £89

UPVC door cylinders -

Basic - from £30

Mid range - from £55

High security versions - from £95 (British standard home insurane compliant)

UPVC locking mechanisms - from £130 to £280 (UK made mechanisms are usually less expensive, Winkhaus and other overseas mechanisms can reach £350+)

If you're in need of any UPVC door advice, or are in need of a reliable UPVC door locksmith - we can help, just click here to call us now.

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