At some point or another, you may find yourself needing to replace an existing door lock. It could be that you’re moving into a new home and want to change the locks for peace of mind, or it could be that you’ve lost a set of keys and you don’t want to risk the chances of unwanted visitors turning up. Whatever your reasons, changing your door lock is a surefire way of improving the safety and security of your home.
If you’re planning to replace a upvc door lock for the very first time, you’re in luck. These particular door locks, also known as euro cylinder locks, are very quick and simple to replace, yet they provide the same level of protection as many other intricate systems.
Read our guide below for a step by step process on how to replace your upvc door lock, and you’ll have a brand new lock fitted in no time at all.
What tools are needed to replace a upvc door lock?
All that’s required to replace your existing euro cylinder lock is a single screwdriver and the replacement lock. You don’t have to worry about removing your existing lock to measure for its replacement, so you can leave all of that until you have purchased the new lock and when you’re ready to go ahead with the replacement process.
How to choose your replacement euro cylinder lock
When shopping for your replacement door lock, you will find that there are a number of brands offering lock replacements, including Yale, Avocet and Mila, to name a few. To make replacing your upvc door lock as simple as possible, look for the brand of your existing door lock, to narrow down the selection.
Euro cylinder locks can come in various different key and lock styles, including deadbolt, hook and 6 pin, for example. Some may have key slots of both the inside and outside of the door, whereas others can have just one key slot on the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. You’ll also find different styles on the market, including brass and chrome plate, but choosing the style of your replacement really depends on your personal taste.
If you’re looking for a simple euro cylinder lock replacement, it’s best to opt for the same brand and lock style of your existing door lock. That being said, it’s fairly simple to switch from one to the other, as all euro cylinder locks have the same shape, so this isn’t something you will have to think about when buying the replacement lock.
Measure your door lock before purchasing a replacement
A crucial consideration to make before purchasing a euro cylinder lock replacement is the length of your existing lock. A upvc lock can differ from one door to another, so it makes sense to measure your existing lock beforehand.
To cover all areas, it’s worthwhile taking three standard measurements:
- From the centre of the keyhole to the centre of the spindle
- From the centre of the keyhole to the edge of the lock plate (found on the inside of the door edging)
- From the centre screw within the lock plate to the face end of each lock on either side of the door
For peace of mind, take note of your measurements and triple check them before purchasing your replacement lock.
How to remove your existing euro cylinder door lock
Now that you have made all the preparations, it’s time to tackle the job of replacing your existing door lock.
Begin by unlocking and opening your door. You will need to be able to see and access the inside edging and the lock plate. Find the fixing screw, which is usually positioned on the lock plate in between both sides of the lock. Using your screwdriver, gently loosen and remove the fixing screw from the plate.
Insert the key into the lock and turn it slightly to the left or right (depending on what side of the door you’re standing), about 10 degrees. Make sure to pull on the key slightly as you turn it. You should do this until the cam tongue (the inner latch of the door lock) lines up with the body of the lock. It can take a few tries to get it right, so don’t worry if it doesn’t happen first time, and try turning the lock both ways as you go.
Once the cam tongue is aligned with the body of the lock, you should begin to feel the cylinder free and move towards you. This should happen as you continue to pull on the key as you turn it slightly. When the cylinder moves towards you, remove it from the door socket, ready for the replacement cylinder.
Installing the euro cylinder lock replacement
You’re now ready to fit the euro cylinder lock replacement, and the process pretty much follows the removal steps in the opposite order.
Begin by inserting the key into the lock of the new cylinder – it can only be successfully fitted when the key is inserted into it. Turn the key to align the cam tongue with the body of the lock, which will allow you to install the cylinder into the door socket. Allow the cam tongue to position itself by turning the key ever so slightly.
Leave the key in the lock and use the screwdriver to tighten the fixing screw back into position. Your replacement upvc door lock is now in place and you can test it by turning the key left and right a number of times, whilst gently pulling on the key when it is turned.
Once the fixing screw is secure and you’re satisfied that the cylinder lock is firmly in place and the components are functioning correctly, you can remove the key from the lock, step back and assess your job well done.