How to adjust uPVC doors to stop draughts
It’s common for uPVC doors to become misaligned as screws, latches and hinges loosen through constant or excessive use. To fix the problem, you need to adjust the door latch so that the lock sits tightly in the latch and pulls the door snugly into the frame.
To draught-proof a uPVC door, you can adjust the latch or the hinges to get a better fit of the door in the frame. If your uPVC door is loose in the frame, it will rattle when you pull the handle. You can also feel draughts by running your hand around the edge of the door frame.
Alternatively, if your door shuts in the frame but won't catch in the latch, you might need to reduce the compression of the door by increasing the gap between the door and the frame.
There are two ways to do this.
- You can adjust the strike plate by loosening the screws in the plate, in the door frame, and sliding it towards the entrance of the door to tighten the fit.
- Or, sliding towards the inside of the house, to loosen the fit so the latch can catch in the strike plate.
Test and fine-tune to get a perfect fit by tweaking the screws and shutting the door to try the fit.
The other way is to adjust the compression screw as shown above.
How to adjust a dropped uPVC door that drags on the floor
This adjustment works best for a door that has dropped towards the handle side and not the hinge side.
- Use an Allen key on the screw at the door side of the hinge.
- Start by adjusting with the door closed.
- Turn 1-2 rotations clockwise and then test to see if it still drags.
- Tweak the hinges until you get a smooth open and close.
Test and fine-tune to get a perfect fit by tweaking the screws and shutting the door to try the fit.
The other way is to adjust the compression screw as shown above.
How to adjust uPVC door height
If the door has dropped or needs to be higher (or lower) in the frame you can adjust the screw that controls the vertical movement of the hinge.
Use an Allen key and start with a 1-2 full rotation and then tweak from there.
How to adjust the compression
If the door is set away from the frame in the top or bottom corner you can tighten the fit by turning the compression adjustment screw.
Select the compression adjustment screw, usually the bottom screw, and use an Allen key to make adjustments.
Use an Allen key and start with a 1-2 full rotation and then tweak from there.
How to adjust a uPVC door hinge from side to side
I adjusted the hinges but the door is still not aligned
If you have tweaked the hinges but can't get the door to fit then it there might be a problem with the hinges. In this case, you can either try to replace the hinges or contact your original supplier to see if the door is still under warranty.
We would recommend only using the original supplier to replace your hinges to get a perfect fit.
It's worth noting that a badly aligned or badly fitted door will reduce the life of the door through additional wear.
Aside from that, a badly fitted door will have draughts and reduce the energy efficiency of your home.
Checking the front door and all external doors in your home on a regular basis will help keep your doors in tip-top condition and you can do minor adjustments as needed before they turn into a much bigger job. If you can learn how to adjust a uPVC door, you can prolong the life of your uPVC door.