How to lock your Upvc or Composite door

 

There are hundreds of different locking mechanism’s that work in many different ways

Here I will cover the 3 most common types:

 Split spindle 

The split spindle mechanisms are the biggest cause of lockouts.

When the door is closed the latch will not open from the outside with the handle and needs the key to open the latch again locking you out if you don’t have your keys.

 Tip 1. On some mechanisms you will find a snib. This can be on the inside handle or on the edge of the door (sometimes it’s a black plastic strip or a switch near the latch) Push down the inside handle so the latch is retracted and use the snib this will hold the latch back if your popping out to the bins or the garden.

 Tip 2. Just because you can’t open the door from the outside it does not mean it’s locked. To ensure your door is locked after closing lift the handle so the multipoint hooks or bolts engage with the keeps then use the key to lock the points . The door is now locked.

 Tip 3. If you have to push the handle hard up to make the lock engage then there is a problem with the line-up of the keeps with the locking mechanism. Call a locksmith to adjust the door or mechanism. 

The gearboxes are very delicate and in time you will damage the mechanism costing more money to fix than adjusting 

 2. Single spindle

Unlike the Split spindle this mechanism won’t lock you out

You can use the door handles from outside to open the latch

Again you need to lift the handle to lock the points into the gates 

 Tip 4. Keep your door clean and wipe with light 3-in-1 type oil on a cloth down the whole mechanism to stop a build-up of grime.

 Tip 5. Always carry a rear door key with you .I mentioned before that the gearbox in these mechanisms are delicate and can stop working without notice. If you carry a backdoor you have an alternative way into you home

3. Fastlock

Not the most common but I will see them a few times a year.

These mechanisms unlike the above will fully lock when the handle is pushed up with no need for the key to lock. You will need to use the key to open the mechanism every time the handle is lifted.

Tip 6. Make sure the cylinder (where you put you key) is not sticking out from the handle by more than 3mm. If so then you have a wrong fitting cylinder and are open for attack using a method well known by burglars.