new front door lock

xyz123

Hi. hope this makes sense. It's time like this when I wish I could upload a picture!

Thinking of changing front door lock in new home. Our front door lock is slightly different to my previous locks in that it latches close from outside without needing key. Door is PVC. Inside handle is long, standard one. Outside handle is short one.

Question is can I change the lock myself. Do I need special sort of cylinder lock if mine is latching close from outside or is it normal lock and handle is different to allow latching from outside. Ta.

xyz123

Anyone please?

vax2002

Picture ? crystal ball is broken

diable

vax2002 wrote: »

Picture ? crystal ball is broken

Is your Inter Galactic Transporter still being serviced?

Ectophile

If it's a new PVC or composite door, then the chances are that the lock itself is just a standard Eurolock, and this makes no difference to how it latches. It's the door latch mechanism that's different.

Not sure how much help that is, though.

I got a new front door recently, and I think it was a mistake getting one that doesn't lock when it's pushed shut. It's a pain having to keep locking and unlocking it with the key.

jbainbridge

There is no real difference. The company that supplied our door said if we wanted to change to a non latched mechanism it was a five minute job ... we've stuck with it latching, seems more secure.

PottersbigE

Type in "how to change a Euro lock" on you tube,

Its really easy to change

Hope this helps

jbainbridge

PottersbigE wrote: »

Type in "how to change a Euro lock" on you tube,

I didn't know it was _that_ easy!

Also watched a video about how easy it is to 'snap' a euro lock - quite an eye opener. Worth making sure any new ones are 'anti snap'.

vax2002

Avocet make the ONLY Euro lock that is snap proof, many are sold as such but can be secondary snapped using easy method well known.
Some police forces actually now advise that cheap "anti snap" locks make the door less secure.
Avocet locks have a cam which can not be turned if the lock is snapped.
Your local police will usually only recommend the avocet lock.

martyn05

Open your door and look at both handles at the same time, are they perfectly level? If they are at different heights then you have a twin spindle gearbox.

Search for lever and pad handles, is your fitted with these?

A.Penny.Saved

vax2002 wrote: »

Avocet make the ONLY Euro lock that is snap proof, many are sold as such but can be secondary snapped using easy method well known.
Some police forces actually now advise that cheap "anti snap" locks make the door less secure.
Avocet locks have a cam which can not be turned if the lock is snapped.
Your local police will usually only recommend the avocet lock.

I'm glad that I paid a bit more, £75/76 for my pair of Advocet keyed alike locks.:D

I think it might of been this forum where someone had a go at making a bump key to find out how easily a Euro cylinder could be bumped. The worst thing about it, except for having your stuff nicked, is that there is no trace or evidence of a break in except for an open door and missing possessions. Could be nasty when it comes to home insurance trying to prove that you didn't leave the door unlocked. I think that you can buy bump keys fairly cheaply and all that you need is one that fits the lock and a small amount of skill to bump the lock. Easy if you watch utube.