UPVC mechanisms – Locksmiths Cardiff

Since our locksmith's company ever first started, we have always seen mechanisms in UPVC doors and uPVC doors being the most type of doors on houses. These doors have always been the most demanded doors from wood due to the low maintenance and attractiveness.

Our locksmiths here at James Cardiff Locksmith have spent numerous hours developing our skills and knowledge, learning all about UPVC doors and their Mechanism as being the most demanding job we see. One item of every household in Cardiff takes advantage of until it is broken and failed.

Mechanisms usually have a 16mm – 22mm faceplate, which secures them to the door with an adequate amount of fixing locations. Unlike wooded or aluminium doors, they have a numberer of locking devices at different locations throughout the length of the entire door, usually from the top of the door to the bottom of the locking jamb side. It is not uncommon to see shoot bolts firing from the top and bottom of the door on the up above and beneath jamb. We see primarily in patio doors working as the secondary door as the primary door interlocks into this one.

Failed Upvc Mechanism

We come out repair or replace all types of mechanisms which are failed. Usually, we only have to do a service and change, inter-changeable broken parts with new ones, making a failed mechanism in working order once again. If your door Mechanism is failed and left open, please don’t panic. We can usually arrange one of our highly skilled Cardiff locksmiths out with you in a short amount of time and making your emergency a priory of our getting your door locked and back in order.

Jammed UPVC Mechanism / DOOR

Having your UPVC door Jammed in the closed position when you have a key that turns in the lock usually but not always identifies a broken Mechanism. When your Mechanism is locked, shut, and Jambed, it is inevitable that you will need a locksmith who deals with UPVC doors and their Mechanisms to open them and resolve the problem.  James Cardiff Locksmith deals with all Mechanisms held in PVC doors and your Locksmith in Cardiff.

Types Of Mechanisms :-

Hook:-

  Mechanisms with hooks on them are, in our terminology, the most secure. As when the door is shut, then the Mechanism is interlocked into the frame. It provides a Hook around locking system. This is far the best type of Mechanism due to standard methods of burglars can enter when the door is spread from the frame.  The invert side to the hook has an allowance clearance of usually around 30-40mm.

This means that when the door is closed, then put into the locked position. The door can only be spread so far before the hook is activated against the fame. Typical Burglar techniques are not operational on this type of door.  The hook type device works on a way of locking in either a clockwise or anticlockwise rotation depending on which side of the door the Mechanism is on and also if the hooks lock going up or going down. This also works well for allowance’s when fitted. The tolerance so if for to be the door dropped, expanded or contracted it would either have none or very little effect over the Security of the door and locking Mechanism which gives mush less maintenance to the door.

Bolt :-

Having mechanisms with bolts on them have also been around a very long time. Different manufactures produce different mechanisms with different security devices fitted. The Mechanism usually has one bolt ideally in the Gearbox but also can have more in also the top or the bottom of the Mechanism protruding in the side jamb of the frame when locked. Bolts usually have a length that shoots into the frame of around 45mm and can be in longer, giving a better security standard.

Bolts in mechanisms work by shooting into the horizontal position and into the frame when locked, then horizontal into the mechanism casing when open.

Mushroom / Roller :-

Ideally, Rollers on Mechanism are seen more frequently than the mushroom type. Both of which work in a very similar way.  Mushroom and rollers work by when the door is shut and the handle is pulled up to engage all security devices. In this case, the mushrooms and rollers both interlock into a keep on the frame by going vertical, which one way i.e. up would be to lock and down would be unlocked.

Mushroom work by sliding up or down into a keep and the back forming into a recess so once inside cannot be pulled apart.

Rollers work by just sliding into a keep but can be pulled apart due not to have to recess.

The reason why rollers have become more prevalent in UPVC Mechanisms rather than the Mushrooms type is because there isn’t much of an allowance when fitted, so over time, there is higher maintenance needed on the Mushroom type of Mechanisms on doors as the door expands and contracts. The recess for Mushrooms, like said previously, is very minute.

Some mechanism has all different on them, including all of the security devices.

Gearbox In Mechanisms

The Gearbox is the centre part of the UPVC mechanism. As in Cars, the ECU is the central controlling part; the Gearbox is this in uPVC house doors. Everything must run through the Gearbox of the Mechanism, For the Mechanism to function. From putting all locking devices into their positions, it is then placed into a locked position from no one pulling down the handle. For such a small part, its job is well defined.

There are so many makes and models of Gearboxes as well as Mechanism that run with them. Our Cardiff locksmiths try to hold as many parts of gearboxes as viably possible.

Locks that fit UPVC Mechanisms

Euro Lock

The Euro lock is found on around 97% - 98% of UPVC doors. After engaged of all the Mechanism, the Euro lock works by its cam turning, which in turns parts the Gearbox in the lock and unlock position. Various size Euro Locks are obtained for UPVC doors in their Mechanism due to them not being made of the same size. Changing the Euro lock is a simple, practical situation that can upgrade the lock to a newer, better version which gives the entire Mechanism a higher security value, which offers better, cost-effective and more Security to your home insurance.

Vectis Lock / ERA

The Vectis Lock at current is the only lock on UPVC doors that don’t follow the same suit of Euro lock type locks. As some people refer to it as “The long key”, It is a Deadlock looking key with five leavers inside. Instead of having a normal-looking cylinder key on this type of locking system, the same applies with the design of locking or unlocking used, just the keys are different. The Mechanism is made by ERA, which makes standard Euro lock Mechanisms and in this case or that has changed is the Gearbox. The Vectis lock can be used for both 45mm and 35mm backsets of the lock.

Weather And Maintenance of UPVC Mechanisms / Doors

The top choice why people appreciate and keep appreciating UPVC doors, we locksmiths would say, is because of the weather. Yes, UPVC doors offer the best protection against the weather and the elements. The low maintenance of not painting every year shaving down from not sticking and expansion in places. Lighter, so less stress on the frame. Frame and door both have large rebates on either much larger than wood with decent weather strips manufactured installed, which means not as much wind seeping through and heat loss, meaning the house staying warmer longer.

What Mechanism we fix and install.

Gu

GRIDLOCK

ERA

HOOPLY

KENRICK

KFV

MACO

LOCKMASTER

ROTO

WILLENHALL

WINKHAUS

YALE

Fullex

FUHR

MILA

MILENCO

SAFEWEAR

Mechanisms have been installed in UPVC doors for many years. Some mechanisms and gearboxes have become discontinued over time. When our locksmiths come across a mechanism or Gearbox which have become not in service / discontinued, we will offer a suitable alternative to be installed, one which offers identical or better security standard. We usually come across this incident with the door been fitted 15 years ago or more.

How a UPVC door Works

Close the door which just engages the latch part (DOOR IS NOT LOCKED) Lift handle this employs all Security into their relevant keeps and slots Place the key into the lock and rotate the top side towards the closest side of the jamb Push handle slightly in the down position to check door is locked The door is now locked.