uPVC Door Lock

[Onoff]

I've an existing uPVC front door with a Yale mechanism. Once you are indoors the only way to open the door from the inside is with a key. A nuisance for answering the door as well as a worry in the event of a fire.

The square bars inside and out are at slightly different heights:

I'm not sure if the mechanism is broken or as is is how it's meant to be?

Lifting either the inside or outside handle engages the locking "hooks" into the frame and you then lock with a key.

I believe a Euro cylinder with "thumb lock" on the inside is an option but that would allow a child to easily exit the building. Ideally I'd like option of a thumb lock to open from the inside as well as a key to lock option if that's something they do?

Hopefully that makes some sense!

 

[johnik]

looks about the same as my doors, mine have a little knob in place of the key hole, might be worth going to your local double glazing co and asking if the have and little knobs laying around as they would only get binned with the doors.

 

[Mark 5]

I've an existing uPVC front door with a Yale mechanism. Once you are indoors the only way to open the door from the inside is with a key. A nuisance for answering the door as well as a worry in the event of a fire.

View attachment 515866

The square bars inside and out are at slightly different heights:

View attachment 515870

View attachment 515867

View attachment 515868

I'm not sure if the mechanism is broken or as is is how it's meant to be?

Lifting either the inside or outside handle engages the locking "hooks" into the frame and you then lock with a key.

I believe a Euro cylinder with "thumb lock" on the inside is an option but that would allow a child to easily exit the building. Ideally I'd like option of a thumb lock to open from the inside as well as a key to lock option if that's something they do?

Hopefully that makes some sense!

View attachment 515869

I have a similar lock, they are pretty common place, with mine to to keep the door clamped tight and without the key, I just lift the door handle.

It doesn't lock it, I require the key for that but it does keep door shut but it can be opened from the outside with the outside handle.

 

[Onoff]

I have a similar lock, they are pretty common place, with mine to to keep the door clamped tight and without the key, I just lift the door handle.

It doesn't lock it, I require the key for that but it does keep door shut but it can be opened from the outside with the outside handle.

This can't be opened by the handle from inside or out, you have to use the key.

It'll probably end up having something like this fitted:

My worry though, say you went out and locked the front door. A burglar then got in through a window. Couldn't they just use the thumb latch to unlock and open the door?

 

[sg66]

Thumb turn barrel if you mean you have to unlock it with a key, if you mean you turn the handle and nothing happens then the loch mech is fookef

 

[Onoff]

Thumb turn barrel if you mean you have to unlock it with a key, if you mean you turn the handle and nothing happens then the loch mech is fookef

All the handles do, the inside one and outside one, is engage the levers that latch into the frame up the length of the door. This if you lift either one up.

 

[sg66]

So you just want a thumb turn barrel, I've been out drinking since a while ago

 

[Onoff]

So you just want a thumb turn barrel, I've been out drinking since a while ago

Wish I had!

 

[Kram]

My worry though, say you went out and locked the front door. A burglar then got in through a window. Couldn't they just use the thumb latch to unlock and open the door?

Generally theres no point i locking your doors if your going to leave accessable windows open. We always shut windows of which could provide entry, when we go out..

 

[Pete.]

I seem to remember the guy we bought this house off told me that I could do something to change the front door lock so it required the key to open instead of just using the handle.

 

[Mark 5]

This can't be opened by the handle from inside or out, you have to use the key.

It'll probably end up having something like this fitted:

View attachment 515901

My worry though, say you went out and locked the front door. A burglar then got in through a window. Couldn't they just use the thumb latch to unlock and open the door?

That lock will do it, measure it correctly, and yes if they got in via window, they can unlock the door

But as @Kram said, leave a window open, you're inviting trouble, if they pin punch glass, there is nothing anyone can do against that.

 

[Onoff]

Generally theres no point i locking your doors if your going to leave accessable windows open. We always shut windows of which could provide entry, when we go out..

As do we. The worry is if someone breaks in via a closed/locked window, grabs stuff then can just open the front door.

The weird thing is that on the back door, again uPVC with a Yale mechanism, if unlocked, you can lever either handle down and it'll retract the bit circled (albeit this is the front door below). Only way to retract is via the key:

 

[richie00boy]

Speak to a locksmith, I had this problem recently and there is a screw on the door that changes the setting. It might be under the striker/catch but I can't remember. Basically he turned it back to the right position and it opens properly again. Think they can get moved over many years of use.

Changing the handle or euro cylinder won't fix it!

 

[bricol]

Before you change to a thumb turn lock, check with your house insurance. Some don't like it.

I was going to change my mum's as she kept hiding keys and claiming she'd lost them ,which meant carers had to leave their set with her, not in the lock box outside. Meaning she would let them in next time.

 

[Mark 5]

Before you change to a thumb turn lock, check with your house insurance. Some don't like it.

I was going to change my mum's as she kept hiding keys and claiming she'd lost them ,which meant carers had to leave their set with her, not in the lock box outside. Meaning she would let them in next time.

That made me smile, bless her.

While I'm not a great liker of them wouldn't an outside number keysafe have resolved this?

 

[ukracer]

This can't be opened by the handle from inside or out, you have to use the key.

It'll probably end up having something like this fitted:

View attachment 515901

My worry though, say you went out and locked the front door. A burglar then got in through a window. Couldn't they just use the thumb latch to unlock and open the door?

yes... well I think so. But I expected a thumb turn lock to be available with a lock on both side but it does not seem they make one.

 

[Craig-SM]

As do we. The worry is if someone breaks in via a closed/locked window, grabs stuff then can just open the front door.

The weird thing is that on the back door, again uPVC with a Yale mechanism, if unlocked, you can lever either handle down and it'll retract the bit circled (albeit this is the front door below). Only way to retract is via the key:

View attachment 515920

If you replace the lock gearbox (£30) you should be able to get the latch like you have on the rear doors, otherwise it’s replacing the whole mechanism (£80)). They’re not difficult to change over. You’ll still have lift the handle lever to engage the hooks before you can turn the key in the lock.

If fumbling around keys in the event of a fire is the issue you have the option of thumb turn Euro cylinder on the inside but you’ll still have to engage the hooks first.

An alternative is something like Ultion Security Plus handles that you can lock the bar with a switch preventing the handles being turned and the latch retracted, you’d still need the mechanism swapping for one with a latch. Obviously you’d be sacrificing a three locking points to just one. In the event of some scrote forcing the handle outside to try and snap the switch lock it’s designed for the handle to fail first allowing you to still unlock the handle inside and use it.

Ultion Security Handle

£2,000 security guarantee when paired with an Ultion Lock. Fully-reinforced curved body to stop break-in attempts. Sold Secure Accredited & Secure by Design – tested by locksmiths, approved by Police. Molybdenum lock shroud for supreme durability. 20 year anti-corrosion guarantee.

www.ultion-lock.co.uk

 

[iNf]

See my post here Post in thread 'Stuff you have fixed today' https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stuff-you-have-fixed-today.100753/post-2572820
Usually means the mech is worn and you need to use the key to get the last bit of movement to open the door. Replacing the lock or changing to thumb lock probably won't do anything.

 

[ukracer]

This can't be opened by the handle from inside or out, you have to use the key.

It'll probably end up having something like this fitted:

View attachment 515901

My worry though, say you went out and locked the front door. A burglar then got in through a window. Couldn't they just use the thumb latch to unlock and open the door?

How does that work then??

I am not sure about this type either but it might be suitable?

 

[iNf]

Link doesn't work! Hopefully the one below does

See my post here Post in thread 'Stuff you have fixed today' https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stuff-you-have-fixed-today.100753/post-2572820
Usually means the mech is worn and you need to use the key to get the last bit of movement to open the door. Replacing the lock or changing to thumb lock probably won't do anything.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stuff-you-have-fixed-today.100753/page-344#post-2572820