Tuesday, 22 November 2011

How to Remove and Replace a uPVC Multipoint Locking Mechanism

First you need to remove the handles, so locate how many screws are holding them in place and remove them, usually two or three but always double check, if the handle isn’t coming away freely there may be an extra screw you missed. Once the handles are off make sure to store them and the screws safely.

Next remove the spindle that goes through the doors that the handles were attached too (there may be one or even two spindles) but take note of how it is orientated before removing it.

The cylinder barrel is the next part that you need to remove. First locate the screw fitted in faceplate, it should be a crosshead screw (also known as a Philips head) and unscrew it; it’s a long screw so should be easy to spot. Now put your key in the door lock and unscrew and remove the long screw. The reason we have put the key in is that once you give it a quarter turn and give the cylinder a pull and it should come free; if it doesn’t the go a quarter turn the other direction (after returning it to its neutral position) and try again, it should come free now.

Now that the handles and the cylinder are safely removed the next step is to remove the multipoint uPVC locking mechanism. There should be several crosshead screws around the front faceplate that will need removing, pay attention to their positions as you remove them.

Note there will typically be several star shaped screws or torx screws around the central latch; these are there to hold the main lock strip and the gearbox together. These should not be removed while the main locking mechanism is still in the door and if you are changing the entire mechanism you will not need to touch them, the same is true is you spot other torx screws near the hooks.

After all the crosshead screws have been removed you will be able to remove the entire length of the locking mechanism including the centre gearbox. Be careful as you remove it as it is fairly flexible and may bend which can damage it; Lay it on a solid surface for safety (or the floor).

You can measure the unit once it is removed and it should help you sourcing a replacement. You may find you can get an exact replacement but if not you should be able to source a very close alternative that will do the job. It’s worth noting many lock sets are too long initially and will need cutting down with a hacksaw but this isn’t anything to worry about.

Assuming you are replacing the entire locking system, then once you have your new mechanism to fit it is literally the reverse of the removal procedure.
However it may be that you only need to replace the gearbox as this is the typical component that fails due to it doing most of the work regarding the lock. Fortunately most locking systems allow you to remove and replace the gearbox with a new one.

Remember those torx screws? Well to change the gearbox you will now need to remove them but as the mechanism is completely removed from the door it is safe to do so. Once they are all unscrewed remove the gearbox from the strip taking note of how it attaches; the new gearbox will need to be fitted in exactly the same way. Before replacing the whole mechanism, quickly attach the handles and give it a trial run, see if the hooks and rollers move as they should.

Now you can refit the entire mechanism reversing you removal method but be sure to check the mechanism during the refitting stages to make sure it works and fits as it should.

For a huge range of door locks and Multipoint UPVC door locks visit www.doorfit.co.uk 

Thursday, 29 September 2011

Identifying and Measuring a UPVC Multipoint Lock for Replacement

This is the main locking mechanism that runs up the edge of your door. All multipoint locking mechanisms come with a variety of locking points such as deadbolts, hooks, rollers and these often come in a variety of combinations, such as rollers on their own, hooks and rollers etc.

Multipoint locks or locking systems are the main locking mechanism that is located on the inner edge of your door. It is important to know that multipoint locking systems can have a variety of locking points including hooks, rollers or deadbolts and they can come as set types (for example deadbolts only) or a combination such as a roller and hook system.

Multipoint locks can come in a variety of colours such as silver, bronze, gold, white and even brown.
A typical multi point lock will run the entire length of your door with a lock mechanism at the centre near the handle, one near the top and another near the bottom for added security. Some may not have both the top and bottom locks, but typical models will.

You can buy replacement central locking mechanisms for most multipoint lock system if for any reason it becomes damaged, rather than requiring the replacement of the whole system.

If you need to replace a multipoint lock, especially if you are replacing the entire mechanism, then it is important to know exactly what type of lock you are using. Make sure you look for the branding on the faceplate, typical brands include Avocet, ERA, Fullex and Millenco as this will help you identify the lock you are using, many will also include a string of letters and numbers which is the serial number and this can help you pinpoint the exact lock type.

It is also important to take note of the locking type and what mechanisms are used be it roller, hooks or deadbolts so your replacement will fit correctly.

You should measure from the centre of the spindle to the centre of the locking mechanism (hook, roller or deadbolt), and do this for to the upper and/or lower mechanisms and take note of the results.

Next measure from the front edge of the lock to the centre of the spindle hole, this is called the backset; you are measuring depth as opposed to the width or length of the lock. This is typically 25mm, 28mm, 35mm, 45mm or 55mm.

You will now need to measure the ‘centres’ or PZ which is the measurement from the centre of the keyhole on the main mechanism to the spindle; typically this will be 68mm, 70mm or 92mm though some less common locks use 48mm, 95mm or 117mm.

The last measurement is the width of the locks faceplate that sits inside the doorframe which should be 16mm, though 20mm or 24mm are not uncommon widths.

With all the measurements of your current multipoint lock as well as (hopefully) the brand and model number you should be able to source you the right replacement door locks for your UPVC door.

For a huge range of door locks and Multipoint UPVC door locks visit www.doorfit.co.uk

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

What is Ironmongery?

The term ironmongery originally referred to the industry that covered the manufacture as well as sale of iron goods that were produced for household, or domestic, use rather than for commercial or industrial purposes.

Today ironmongers produce and/or sell a much wider array of consumer goods and this can include iron, brass, aluminium and a variety of other metals. However ironmongery items can also include plastic products as well with typical instances being window latches, door handles and letter plates among other products.

Doorfit offer a wide range of ironmongery products at great prices to both commercial, trade and domestic customers from door hinges, door handles, key hole covers and hat and coat hooks to high quality and reliable door locks and window locks for peace of mind in your home security and sliding door gear for a wide range of uses.

Visit our website www.doorfit.co.uk today to check out our large stock of ironmongery products, garage doors and timber door sets and pick yourself up a great deal.

Friday, 22 July 2011

Garage Door Types

The following are descriptions and uses for the various garage door types.

Up and Over Garage Doors

Up and over garage doors are the most common and popular type of garage door in use today.

As the name implies they open upwards and then tilt over to they are perpendicular to the roof of the garage.

There are a few different configurations available including standard canopy up and over garage doors and retractable garage doors.

The differences being the canopy door protrudes from the garage (about a third of its size) whereas retractable doors slide back into the roof of the garage.

Retractable doors are easier to convert to an automated mechanism but they have more of an impact on the drive through width. Canopy doors are much easier to install than retractable doors and provide better drive through width.

These differences may seem subtle but they can be very important when it comes to choosing the right door for your garage.

All types of up and over garage doors are typically available in timber, steel, fibreglass and ABS plastic configurations with a variety of styles such as panelled and ribbed finishes.

Side Hinged Garage Doors

Side hinged garage doors are a simple design in use for many years and has become more popular over the past few years with demand increasing considerably.

Side hinged garage doors are traditionally made from wood, and were relatively inexpensive. They also had the benefit of not causing any problems regarding headroom as they open outwards in a saloon door style.

Side hinged garage doors are particularly popular for garages used for storage purposes or as utility spaces as opposed to parking your car. This is because the doors can be opened independently making pedestrian access easier without having to open the whole front of the garage. Some manufacturers enhance this more by offering one and two third opening options to make pedestrian access even easier.

Modern side hinged garage doors are available in timber, steel, ABS Plastic and Glass Enforced Polyester (GRP) in a variety of designs.

Roller Shutter Doors

Roller shutters are made from several individual horizontal slats, typically constructed from steel or aluminium, are fastened together and then a mechanism allows them to roll up and down on a barrel

The benefit of a roller shutter door is that they allow for maximum headroom and width when it comes to drive through space and are usually motorised for ease of opening. The downside is they usually need to be made to measure and manual roller doors are rare. They are also more popular for industrial and commercial use, though they have seen a recent surge in popularity in the home market.

Roller shutters are fairly standard in design but the slats are available in many differing styles and designs to best suit your needs including severs colours and finishes such as a wood grain effect.

Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors are becoming one of the most popular garage door types in the UK and already have a huge presence in the US.

Sectional garage doors are similar to both up and over garage doors and roller shutters, offering a large amount of versatility and drive through space.

The garage door is split into several large horizontal sections, usually four or five, making them similar to roller shutters, however these sections do into roll around a barrel (indeed they are too large for that) but instead slide up and into the garage on tracks similar to up and over garage doors however as they follow a track, which are fitted inside the door frame, they have allow maximum headroom and wide for drive through purposes.

They come in manual and automated versions and the manual sectional garage doors can be converted to automatic easily enough.

As the track is not in line with the door frame but behind it, it means the shape of the door frame is of no matter when it comes to sectional garage doors.

Sectional garage doors come in a wide range of finishes and materials such as steel, fiberglass and wood paneled, and due to their versatility size is not an issue when it comes to any paneling or finishes.

For more information on the types of garage doors available or for professional fitting of garage doors, contact Doorfit on 0800 2888 155. We have a wide range of garage doors in stock.

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

New Website Now Live!!

Doorfit are proud to announce that our new website is now live on the Internet and we'd love for you to check it out!

We have been in the ironmongery business for over 50 years and we are specialists in door and window locks, fittings and fixtures as well as sliding door gear and garage door fixtures and accessories.

We have recently added to our range of products our stunning line of high quality bespoke and modular timber doors and timber door sets for your home.

We also supply and install a wide range of quality garage doors across the east and west midlands. These garage doors come in a wide range of styles and configurations so we are sure to have the right garage doors for you.

So why not visit our website www.doorfit.co.uk and view our full product range or call us on 0800 2888 155 for your garage door installation needs in the Midlands.

0800 2888 155