uPVC is an acronym for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, currently, a very popular material for making doors and windows. UPVC doors stay largely unaffected by climatic change, unlike wooden doors that may rot or warp. UPVC doors also last longer without the need of much of maintenance and repairs.
UPVC doors provide good insulation against exterior sounds and cold, giving your home a pleasant, warm and relaxing atmosphere. They also are also anti crowbar, keeping intruders away with an ease traditional doors cannot muster.
Changing the lock on a uPVC door can be a bit of a hassle once the lock barrel becomes faulty. These doors have a euro cylinder lock installed which might start to stick with continued use. This, however, is no reason to avoid these very versatile doors.
Besides their many benefits, you can purchase them in many beautiful shades and hues to fit every palate. You can, for example, have your doors in rosewood or golden oak hues or opt for french doors styled doors in white.
Reasons why changing lock on UPVC Door may be a necessity
Below are some of the main ways that uPVC door locks may be damaged, forcing servicing.
- A door that has dropped on its hinges causing the hooks and bolts of the lock not to fit into a door frame keep
- A door droops and is forced into the lock by forcefully lifting its handle and pushing the hooks into the keeps. This will cause damage to the lock.
- Mishandling the door handle over time, cracking the lock’s cam and spindle.
Replacing a euro-cylinder though is easier than it looks and all you need are a few tools to get you started. These tools include;
- A replacement lock
- A screwdriver
- Tape measure
How to change a uPVC door’s euro-cylinder lock
- Measure your damaged lock. To do this, open the door and unscrew its retaining bolt located on the door’s side.
- Once the screw has been removed, insert the lock’s key and turn it until the cylinder has been released. Pull the lock out and measure its dimensions. Put it back in place, then go and purchase a new one.
Alternatively, have someone house sit for you, then take the lock to a locksmith and purchase a matching new lock. - Lineup your new lock and replace the retaining bolt. To line it up fast and easy, first of all, put the key in the barrel. Gently push the lock in place and turn the key to force the bolt out halfway.
This will place the lock just right, to enable you to line up the hole with the screw. In the end, you have a perfectly aligned lock once the screw is tightened. And voila that’s the process of changing a lock on a uPVC door.
The final word
Changing lock on uPVC door is something you can do for yourself. It is good practice though to eliminate the original cause of the broken lock. Ensure that the door’s frames are aligned, without any visible abrasions on their sides. Replace any broken strip locks and tighten or replace door hinges where a door has slipped on them.
