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uPVC Door & Window Repairs
uPVC Doors, uPVC Windows and Composite Doors are of course designed for frequent use and can last for many years. However all moving parts have a cycle count and over time, parts will eventually wear out.
Handles, hinges, locking mechanisms, and key cylinders can be used multiple times a day, every day of the year.
Opening and closing a door or window should be easy, when locking, you should feel it compress against the frame seals, while still being a smooth motion. If operating becomes difficult, it may indicate misalignment or failure of integral parts, and forcing the unit closed could further damage the mechanisms.
Whether it’s a dropped handle, a sticking lock mechanism, a key cylinder that’s hard to turn, or a failed hinge, these components are replaceable. Replacing worn parts ensures your door or window continues to function smoothly for years to come.
Know what to look out for to keep your doors and windows operating trouble-free
UPVC Maintenance Tips
Locks
If you experience resistance when turning the key or need to forcefully lift the handle to engage the locks, we recommend addressing the issue immediately. Delaying repairs can lead to keys getting stuck in the cylinder or a door that won’t open when the locks fail to disengage. Ignoring the signs of these parts wearing out will almost guarantee it will finally fail at the most inconvenient of times.​​
Hinges
Adjustable door hinges can shift from their original position over time due to the weight of the door and the repeated movement they endure. If a door snags on the frame or the hinges grind or squeak, it indicates excessive stress on the hinges and adjustment is necessary.
For windows, slight adjustments can be made to the hinge positions to resolve minor issues. However, if a window snags or 'drops' when opening and closing, it is often a sign that the hinges need replacing.
Fortunately, replacement hinges are relatively inexpensive, and once replaced, the window/door will operate like new.​​​
Gasket Seals
It could be that there are no obvious issues with using your door or window but you may feel draughts or see water coming through gaps between the door/sash and frame, this can often be addressed by replacing the gasket seals that have perished.
Handles
When you push a handle down to open the door or lift it to engage the locks, the internal spring cassettes in the handle return it to the neutral position. If a handle sags and doesn’t return to the centre, it is often due to worn spring cassettes or damaged nylon bushes. Replacing the complete handle or just the spring cassettes can resolve this. Older handles may lack these springs and rely on the gearbox mechanism to reset the handle. It is not uncommon for a gearbox to still function, despite no longer having the ability to reset an unsprung handle. If the gearbox is otherwise working, replacing the old handle with a new spring-loaded one can often resolve this issue.
Alignment
A door failing to close or seal properly may result from issues with the lock keeps or hinge alignment. When the locks are engaged, the door should compress into the frame and gaskets. If there is any play in the door, adjustment is necessary. Additionally, when closed, the gap between the door and frame should be uniform on all sides; if not, hinge adjustment is required​​​.
Lubrication​
All moving parts should be lubricated every 6 months. For hinges use silicone spray. For lock bolts use a light oil spray, avoid using WD-40. Do not use any oil or any wet lubricant with key cylinders. Only use graphite lock powder. Apply the powder to the key, then insert and remove it from the cylinder 10 times, fully rotating the key during a few of these insertions.
TOP TIP​
It is recommended by all composite and uPVC door manufacturers that when a door is closed all locks are engaged. Doors and frames naturally expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations, both throughout the day and with changing seasons. When a door is merely pushed closed, only the central latch is engaged, leaving the top and bottom portions of the door unsecured. For example, during hot summer days or prolonged direct sunlight, a door held only by the middle latch is more prone to movement. Over time, this can cause the door to distort, making it harder to operate and lock.
By fully engaging all locks—either by lifting the handle or winding the key—you minimise any movement, ensuring the door remains properly aligned and functions as intended from day one.
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