UPVC door lock

I would like to do this also but had written it off in my mind as 'un-do-able' but may be it is.

The problem I thought was that a upvc door has an espongniolette (sp?) mechanism for multi point locking. To engage this mechanism the lever handle has to be lifted before the lock via the cylinder is turned. Not sure this can be changed to a traditional dead lock type arrangement.

I am interested in an answer from someone more in the know than me.

Cheers - jonah

 

You'll need something with a split spindle.

Probably simplest to get in touch with your nearest specialist Architectural Ironmongers/Lock supplier and explain what you want it to do and what lock it's replacing.

 

Would http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=59909&ts=72959 do the job?

 

Think very carefully if you really want a door that locks when it is shut and then needs a key to open it.

If it accidently shuts, you are locked out, perhaps without a key.

I always prefer a door which you have to lock with a key so that you cannot lock yourself out without a key.

 

My mum's got one - it uses exactly the same lock as normal, but the handle on the outside is different. I'll try & explain:

On a normal UPVC door lock, if you unlock it & keep turning the key, it moves the latch in, saving you having to turn the handle. If you replace the outside handle with one that doesn't turn, you can't get in from outside without having a key to unlatch the door. Technically, it's not 'locked' as the locking mechanism isn't activated, it's just that you can't get in. You can get out though, just as normal, by turning the handle.

I hope that makes sense!

 

Jonny Round Boy

I did think of doing that myself but decided against it for the reason i mentioned above. Its fine for just going out in the front garden or what ever but what happens when you want to 'lock' the door when you go out for the day. If there is no lever on the outside you cannot engage the espagnolette system or turn the cylinder to lock.

The operation you describe is identical to the way a traditional dead lock works with a timber door and motice lock / latch, so the door is held on the latch with no lever externally until locked with a key. The problem I see is the operation of the espangnolette.

Cheers - jonah

 

Jonny round boys solution should work for you it seems

Cheers - jonah

 

The espagniolette locking system also pulls the door in tight to make it water proofed against the draught/rain excluder. Without the levered action wind and rain may enter un invited.

Now, I may be out of date with these kind of things, but, if you are up to taking the lot apart, you may, might, could, possibly, maybe find that the downward opening action can be taken out from the locking mechanism on the outside handle.

You will need to removee the handles and the complete locking system from the closing edge of the door.

If you decide to have a look, let us know if it is possible on your particular door.


Mr. HandyAndy - really