Front door lock / replacement 21 November 2022 at 9:00PM edited 22 November 2022 at 9:23AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 16 replies 751 views

mahoney

Hi,
Multi point door is having an issue... It lifts up and locks from the outside, but not from the inside.  It closes from the inside, but the locking doesn't work.
The original fitter came to look, it's out of warranty, needs a replacement lock (the whole multipoint thing I think).  They couldn't do it as they no longer stock this type of lock.
I'm a little bit fancying a new door......So, question:  Do I go for a full door change (there are side windows too), or just the lock.  
Of course the lock will be cheapest, but significantly so?
I did also wonder if we can just add an extra lock on the inside.  A latch type one maybe...
Thank you

tacpot12

A new door will be £1000+, a new locking mechanism perhaps £250-400 with fitting.

In internal latch would work to a point, and will be much cheaper, but it won't be as secure, and there is a risk of you getting locked out of the latch is put one by someone inside who then leaves via another door, or is asleep. If you are in a city, I would look to have a new lock fitted, unless the existing door has other problems such as failing hinges or dents.  

mahoney

tacpot12 said:

A new door will be £1000+, a new locking mechanism perhaps £250-400 with fitting.

In internal latch would work to a point, and will be much cheaper, but it won't be as secure, and there is a risk of you getting locked out of the latch is put one by someone inside who then leaves via another door, or is asleep. If you are in a city, I would look to have a new lock fitted, unless the existing door has other problems such as failing hinges or dents.  

Thank you.  I think we will end up going for the new lock.  The door is not long out of warranty, so not so old.  It's fine aside from this.  Just need to find a locksmith now I guess....

Norman_Castle

A company doing upvc repairs might be cheaper than a locksmith.

DullGreyGuy

mahoney said:

Multi point door is having an issue... It lifts up and locks from the outside, but not from the inside.  It closes from the inside, but the locking doesn't work.

We had the same last year and found just replacing the lock/euro cylinder itself fixed the problem... only takes 1 screw to replace it so very much a self service solution. We took the opportunity to replace the poor quality original lock with a better quality one with anti-snap/drill etc but you could buy a cheapo lock for much less if you just want to check if its the cause. 

FreeBear

The handle is (usually) on a single solid shaft that passes right through the door and lock mechanism. If it locks OK from outside, but not inside, are you leaning on the door when locking it ?

If it is the gearbox that is causing problems, there are companies out there that have stocks of obsolete mechanisms. There are even one or two manufacturing replacements. But from your brief description, I'd be inclined to suspect the door & lock needs adjustment rather than replacement. A local window/door doctor should be able to advise accordingly.

chrisw

Replacing the lock mechanism and gearboxes is quite straightforward if that is the fault. If you take the mechanism into a decent trade window shop they can usually source a replacement or recommend an alternative.

Plenty of guides about, eg

https://www.homesecureshop.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-change-over-a-upvc-multipoint-door-lock

DullGreyGuy

FreeBear said:

The handle is (usually) on a single solid shaft that passes right through the door and lock mechanism. If it locks OK from outside, but not inside, are you leaning on the door when locking it ?

If it is the gearbox that is causing problems, there are companies out there that have stocks of obsolete mechanisms. There are even one or two manufacturing replacements. But from your brief description, I'd be inclined to suspect the door & lock needs adjustment rather than replacement. A local window/door doctor should be able to advise accordingly.

In our case from the outside you could engage the multipoint system and lock it fine but from the inside you could engage the multipoint system but the key wouldnt fully turn in the lock... no idea why, after removing the euro cylinder it would fully turn on both sides but putting it back in the inside wouldnt again. New euro cyclinder and its been fine for 18 months now. 

mahoney

Thank you all.  We did have the original fitter come out, but he said they no longer stock the part needed.
I will read up further on the advise above.  I don't really think I should change the door - seems wasteful, so hopefully can sort the locking part only.  

greenface2

window doctor will sort it . May need a new mech or maybe just a gearbox. Try to lift handle and key lock it when open if it works then its fine its the door dropped or shifted  . If you fancy having a go yourself have a plan b . Take out lock and handle . unscrew the mech and post a pic . Oil it and blow out any bits and refit . Take off the keepers one by one and it may be that not the lock 

mahoney

greenface2 said:

window doctor will sort it . May need a new mech or maybe just a gearbox. Try to lift handle and key lock it when open if it works then its fine its the door dropped or shifted  . If you fancy having a go yourself have a plan b . Take out lock and handle . unscrew the mech and post a pic . Oil it and blow out any bits and refit . Take off the keepers one by one and it may be that not the lock 

Thank you - would you have a link for window doctor?  Just googled, but what I found was for installing doors + windows.