UPVC Front Door - How to lock from inside?

silvercar

In the event of a fire I would like to be able to leave my house without searching for a key.

societys_child

pimento wrote: »

Would one of these be easy to fit on the existing door?

If it's a euro lock as shewn in the links, yes very easy, just one screw.

The barrels come in various sizes, so you'd need to remove the existing barrel to measure it. This link shows how to change and measure:

http://www.crystalvisionlocks.co.uk/docs/how_to_measure_a_euro_cylinder.pdf

or here
http://www.eurolock.co.uk/shop/page/3?shop_param=


Some videos on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udgnrM11fX8

drummer_666

this lock that you're talking about is what i will eventually be replacing my door lock with

a door with a yale is a bad idea in my opinion and i'll be taking the yale bit off as soon as my lodger moves in.

if it has a yale some times someone may only use the yale as a lock when they go out and these are very unsecure. I don't want the risk of my house being left just locked with a yale!

as someone else mentioned, you can also lock yourself out with a yale.

Jaynne

I always found these doors bizarre as well and a fire hazard unless you leave the key in.

Now in Edinburgh HMO properties at least these locks have to be replaced with ones with a thumbturn on the inside so you can always lock/unlock without a key much better but I still prefer a yale.

When anyone has ever broken into our house or those we know it has always been via breaking windows not the yale lock so I don't buy it being a magnet for crooks and I've never locked myself out before despite only ever living in places with yales.

pimento

You should never need a key to get out of a house.

I think I'll be changing the lock for a thumb turn. Got to be worth the effort for the peace of mind.

Mojisola

Peter999 wrote: »

I'm afraid that's how my door works - you must use a key to lock it from the inside or outside. You cannot lock it without a key (its not like a yale lock).

We always lock the door automatically when we get in and leave the key in the door should it be needed in an emergency (fire etc).

He will have to get used to locking it with his key and then keep the key on him in case anyone else wants to get in.

On some doors, if you do this, the door can't be opened from outside because the key is in the way. Our door is like this so we lock the door and leave the key in the lock but just pull it out slightly. That allows the next person to unlock the door from outside but keeps the key handy in case of emergency evacuation.

martyn05

Fit a thumb turn to be on the safe side, in the event of an incident and people are panicking to get out in a hurry they may struggle to find a key or snap it in the lock.

If you had a twin spindle gearbox with a pad and lever handle set then the front door can only be opened from outside using a key, people walking past the house could not just walk in.

sunshinetours

Thumb turn is easy answer as others have suggested. Euro cylinder locks are extremelly common these days. lifting the handle sets the bolts/levers and turning the key/thumb lock locks them in place

Saying that once you lift the lever from inside you cannot open the door from outside without a key (or some basic burglar knowledge!). the door is only fully secure once keys are used but you certainly couldn't push down handle and open door without a key on our UPVC door (so you certaibnly can lock yourself out) , so maybe different types of locks available?