Look around; what do you see? Plenty of UPVC doors, right?

UPVC is all the rage, and with good reason. It provides a highly effective type of door for your external doors. Your front and back doors benefit from UPVC. It looks great and remains low-key aesthetically. UPVC also benefits from high levels of efficiency, reducing the amount of energy you need to use. You also have the benefit that UPVC doors are low maintenance; cleaning UPVC is nice and easy. 

As our guide, which has been reviewed and approved by a professional locksmith in Sheffield, will show, too, changing the locks in your UPVC doors is not as difficult as it is with other door types. If you have Euro cylinder locks in your UPVC doors already, then upgrading them should not be too difficult. While we would always recommend contacting one of [LOCATION]’s locksmithing firms, such as Lock & Key, lock replacement for UPVC doors is a pretty easy process to manage.

If you are determined to give this a go yourself, then continue on. In this guide, we will provide you with tips from professionals in locksmithing about how to install locks on UPVC doors. Please remember, though, that mistakes can make your property a risk factor when it comes to stopping a break-in. DIY installations can cause headaches with insurance, too, so think carefully about your decision. If you want to go about installing a UPVC door lock, though, carry on for guidance.

Installing Euro Cylinder Locks In UPVC Doors: Getting Started

As you would imagine, you are going to need a few different tools. Also, please bring your most patient mind; uPVC door locks can take around half an hour, or longer to install, if you are new to the process. There is also a post-installation testing period where you need to verify that all parts of the locks are in full working order. So, please, do not expect this to be a five-minute replacement job!

To get started, you are going to need some basic tools. Make sure you have a screwdriver (we recommend having a flat-head and a Phillips screwdriver). You will also need a file, preferably round, to get the job done. Lastly, be sure to find your best tape measure; you are going to need that for making sure you are accurate in your installations. 

Locksmiths also recommend that you invest in some lubricant for the locks. Your lock type will determine the type of lubricant you need; consult the manufacturer's guidance or ask a locksmith.

Step One: Dealing With Your Screws

So, the first step to getting any UPVC door locks installed is to manage the screws. 

1. Euro cylinder locks use just one ‘fixing screw’ to keep the lock in place. So, this should make it easy to find the fixing screw on your current locks. 

2. Most of the time, this will be on the side of the door. In the event that you have more than one screw, you are looking for the one that lines up with the bottom part of the cylinder. 

3. Once you have found this, you will need to remove the screw. To do this, take the screwdriver and match it up with the head of the screw. If the screw will not budget, lubricate it first.

4. Is the screw moving? Good! Keep loosening the screw until it becomes free, and then store it somewhere. You might need to use this screw if your new screws are not 100% compatible. 

Stop! My Screw Has Broken – Help!

First, do not panic. This can happen, especially with older screws. If your UPVC doors have had the same locks installed for years, the screws could be old. That means that the screw is no longer as durable as it once was. If your screw has been brittle and snapped as you removed it, you will need to remove it from the hole. Your best bet to do this is to drill into the screw and then utilise an extractor. 

Be as careful as you can and make sure you clean out any broken piece(s) of the screw that is left over. Any debris left within the screw hole could become a problem later down the line.

Step Two: Removing The Old Lock Cylinder

1. Now that you have removed the fixing screw, it should be possible to remove the old lock cylinder from your UPVC doors. 

2. To do this, all you need to do is put your key into the cylinder itself. Then, turn the key around one quarter of the way through a traditional key turn. 

3. When you do this, you should see the moving sections of your lock line up with the lock's main body. 

4. At this point, you should be able to take the cylinder barrel right out without much resistance. 

5. If you find that the cylinder is resisting your action, try and loosen a few of the screws elsewhere on the barrel. That should be enough to ensure that it starts to move freely.

Step Three: Preparing For Your New Lock

Now that you have managed to get the old lock out, you are already making great progress. Now, this is where that tape measure comes into play!

1. Take your tape measure and run the measure along the length from the central screw hole to the outer reach of the lock cylinder. 

2. Do the same for the other side of the cylinder. Once you have these measurements, mark them both down. You can then start shopping around for a replacement lock.

3. This step can be a little challenging, as you need to be pretty precise. Get a lock for your UPVC doors that is too big or too small, and you might have a problem getting your new lock to line up correctly. 

4. If you are unable to get the right measurements or find a replacement lock online that fits your measures, call a local locksmith. They should be able to give you an idea of what lock size you need.

Step Four: Installing Your New Lock

Now that you have the size requirements, you can go about installing your new lock into your UPVC door. To do this, you can mostly just follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with the lock. This should guide you through the majority of the process without having to think too much.

1. Generally, though, you are going to need to start by first placing your new key into the cylinder itself. Then, turn this about a quarter of the way, the same way you did to remove the old lock. This should see the cam tongue and the lock body in full alignment with one another. 

2. Now, you can simply split this into the space on your door. DO NOT try to force the lock into place. If the space feels like it is too tight, then you might need to file down your lock a little. 

3. Use that circular file we spoke about earlier and give your lock a very light filing down, trying again until you get a fit that feels secure yet snug. If the lock is too small, it will feel too loose in the lock hole.

4. Take the old fixing screw you had (if it is still in good condition) and put this back into the same spot you removed it from. Tighten it without being too excessive; this will keep the screw in place and secure the lock without being too rigid. 

5. If your old screw fell apart or broke when removing it, you can use the fixing screw that you get with your new locks. Sometimes, though, this might not fit as snuggly as the old screw did.

Step Five: Keeping Your New Locks In Working Order

So, you now have your lock fitted and in place and for the most part it seems to be working, right?

First off – well done! You have now successfully installed some new cylinder locks into your UPVC doors. However, you will need to finish the job off with some additional TLC. Remember we spoke about lubricant earlier? Now you need to apply this to your lock and its various moving parts.

Take the time to review your lock and all of the parts on it which are moving. Apply some of the lubricant or oil that you have in your possession; wipe off any excess and make sure that it leaves the lock operating smoothly. Excessive oil/lubricant can actually make dirt build-up more commonplace. 

Give your lock one more test and make sure everything works as it should. If you have stuck to this general guide and followed the cylinder lock manufacturer's instructions, you should be A-OK. If you are having any problems with the installation process, though, start again. 

Still having problems? Call a locksmith. They can go through the process with you and make sure you have not missed anything. That means you can see a professional at work and get an idea of where you might have gone wrong.

Final Tips: Regular Maintenance Is Key

Look, it should be noted that one of the main reasons why we need to replace our locks comes down to a lack of maintenance. Sure, it might be down to the fact that your lock has snapped, or it has been damaged in a break-in. Your locks might even just be a bit out of date and in need of modernisation. Regardless of why you fitted new locks, you want your new ones to last for the long term, yes?

With that being the case, make sure you take cleaning your lock very seriously. You should give your lock a regular clean-out using a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Most of the time, you do not need any specific lock cleaner; just some warm water with small amounts of detergent added should be enough. Give the lock a smooth clean, avoiding excessive force as you could damage the lock.

Once cleaned, we also recommend that you re-lubricate your lock. You could take the lock apart and lubricate it as you did beforehand, or you could use a silicone spray. Spray this into the keyhole and let it do its magic. Try to avoid using an oil spray, though, as oil sprays tend to be common culprits of locks seizing up, sticking or just not working as they should.

Our advice is to give your lock a clean-out at least once per year. Ideally, though, you should do this once every three to four months. This helps you catch any signs of wear and tear early by getting rid of debris and dirt build-ups that might impact your locks' operation.

Still Struggling With Cylinder Lock Installation For UPVC Doors? 

Hopefully, you now understand how to fit cylinder locks into UPVC doors a little bit better. 

If you are having a hard time installing your locks or maintaining your locks, call a local locksmith. Credit to you for trying the DIY route, but sometimes it pays to watch a professional carry out the job so you can learn from their process. It is better to be safe than sorry; DIY installations that do not work could leave your doors at risk of being an easy target for criminals in the area. If in doubt, call the pros!