UPVC Window: Locked with No Key

edmund_blackadder

Hi,

In my kitchen there is a UPVC Window that has always been locked (before we moved in 6 years ago!) and there has never been a key for us to use to open it.

It's a job I've put off for ages but now I really want to sort it out.

This is what the lock looks like:





Ideally I want to remove this whole handle/lock and replace it with a similar new one.

Unfortunately one of the screws is under the locked handle so I can't get at it to remove it.

Anyone got any tried and tested methods of removing these locks/handles without causing any damage to the rest of the window?

I know this might sound daft, but will knocking the handle sideways with a hammer to try and break the mechanism cause lots of untold damage?

WestonDave

We've got windows with very similar looking locks - if its the same as ours then you need something like this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cotswold-2-Pin-Window-Key-Replacement-Window-Handle-Key_W0QQitemZ150480251932QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=158556502170&rvr_id=158556502170&cguid=729917b61280a0aad0e51915ffc4caae

You can either buy this one or try to make one out of something if you are intending to get rid of the lock altogether.

phill99

We have a local guy called the 'window doctor' who just does repairs to DG windows and doors. You probably have something similar in your area. Might be worth calling him as he will probably have a range oif spare keys - there aren't that many to chooose from.

HappyMJ

edmund_blackadder wrote: »

I know this might sound daft, but will knocking the handle sideways with a hammer to try and break the mechanism cause lots of untold damage?

No damage as such but I'd just use your hands and not a hammer. If you don't want the handle any more then just force it open. It will break the latch and still work as a handle but the key part won't work any more.

Source: The window installers came to my house and changed one of my handles on the window when it wouldn't open and that's what they said they do when the lock mechanism fails.

edmund_blackadder

HappyMJ wrote: »

No damage as such but I'd just use your hands and not a hammer. If you don't want the handle any more then just force it open. It will break the latch and still work as a handle but the key part won't work any more.

Source: The window installers came to my house and changed one of my handles on the window when it wouldn't open and that's what they said they do when the lock mechanism fails.

This did the trick, thanks! It was really easy to do (which kind of shows how pointless the locks are really). Now I can open the window and replace the handle if I feel like it. :T :j

LandyAndy

edmund_blackadder wrote: »

This did the trick, thanks! It was really easy to do (which kind of shows how pointless the locks are really). Now I can open the window and replace the handle if I feel like it. :T :j

How annoying is that?

6 years not opening the bloody thing and all you had to do was give it a slap.:rotfl:

edmund_blackadder

LandyAndy wrote: »

How annoying is that?

6 years not opening the bloody thing and all you had to do was give it a slap.:rotfl:

Yes I know. If only I'd trusted the sheer power of my 'guns'!!

KingL

I hope you've copyrighted that first image. Someone will be using it for a "watchout, there's a prowler about" type campaign.