How to change locks on a UPVC door
July 29, 2025
A few simple steps and tips for changing a UPVC door lock in London
Do you need to change a UPVC door lock? Do you need a Euro lock change?
Doors can be made from many materials, wood, aluminium, steel and even plastic. Plastic is used to make doors and is most commonly called a "UPVC Door", these types of doors usually use cylinders. Due to this one point of control for the whole door, this cylinders decides how secure your door and property will be. If you install a basic cylinder, the security of your door will be considered basic as the whole mechanism can be access from this one point. If you put a BS3621 cylinder on your door, your insurance companies may not thank you, but in the event of a burglary this ensures they pay out.
UPVC door parts
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 longer as it won't be dropping so rapidly.
How to change a UPVC door lock?
Simple...
Tools you will need are a regular philips screwdriver and the correct key - thats it!
Step 1. Open the door nice and wide and put the key in the door.
Step 2. Grab your screwdriver and look for this screw on the edge of the door
Once you have found this screw, unscrew it all the way and remove it from the door.
Step 3. Twist the key slowly while pulling it at the same time gently. Essentially you are trying to move the black part in the image below which stops the lock from slipping out on its own.
That's it, the cylinder should be out of the door and you can measure it to see which size you need.
If it's hard to remove from the door try spraying a little WD-40 around the cylinder.
If you have any UPVC lock issues and need a locksmith, why not contact us and leave it to the professionals.
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