What I cover on UPVC doors
UPVC doors have two failure points: the cylinder (the barrel your key goes into) and the multipoint mechanism (the strip of hooks and bolts behind the handle). The cylinder side is my patch. The mechanism side isn’t, so I’ll say that up front and save you the wasted call-out.
Yes, I open UPVC doors when:
- Cylinder won’t turn (worn wafers, misalignment, or someone’s tried to force the key)
- Key snapped inside the cylinder
- Key turns but the door won’t unlock (often a cylinder-cam issue, sometimes solvable)
- Lost keys entirely, need to get in and change the cylinder
No, I don’t cover UPVC mechanism repair:
- Handle lifts but the multipoint hooks don’t engage
- Door won’t lock even though the key turns
- The long strip behind the handle has failed internally
For those, you need a UPVC-mechanism specialist or the original door fitter, they’ll have the correct replacement gearbox for your specific brand. Ring around for that side of things.
What happens on a UPVC cylinder lockout call
On arrival I’ll identify the cylinder type (Euro profile is universal, but the length and quality vary), pick it non-destructively if I can, and get you back inside. If the cylinder is a cheap developer-spec unit and it’s genuinely worn beyond safe use, or if picking simply won’t work, I’ll walk you through the drill-and-replace option before touching anything.
The replacement is always a BS Kitemark 3★ anti-snap Euro cylinder, £120 fitted, 12-month warranty. Anti-snap matters on UPVC doors because “lock snapping” is the single most common burglary method for this door type across London, cheap cylinders shear cleanly at the mounting-screw line, a 3★ cylinder resists that attack by design.
What to have ready when you call
- Your postcode
- A quick description of what’s happening (“key won’t turn”, “key snapped”, “handle lifts but door still won’t open”)
- Photo ID with your address on it, I’ll usually ask before opening any door
If you’re not sure whether your issue is cylinder or mechanism, describe the symptom and I’ll tell you on the phone whether it’s a job for me.