Do you want to know how to adjust a uPVC door height so that it doesn't catch on the floor or how to adjust a uPVC door to stop draughts?

Before you get your screwdriver ready, check if you have a manufacturer's or installer's warranty or guarantee on the door. If you start making changes or adjustments yourself, it can invalidate any claims. We recommend checking with your supplier or installer before you do anything - they may be able to help you to get a better fit on your uPVC door.

If you have checked warranties and still want to go ahead yourself to adjust your uPVC door then follow our guide below.

• What type of hinge does my uPVC door have?
• What tools do I need to adjust a uPVC door?
• How to adjust uPVC door hinges
• How to adjust a uPVC door height
• How to adjust the compression
• How to adjust uPVC doors to stop draughts
• How to adjust a dropped uPVC door that drags on the floor
• I adjusted the hinges but the door is still not aligned

How to adjust a uPVC door and hinges

Is the door out of alignment or warped?

Cheap uPVC doors can warp. If your door meets at the top and bottom of the frame but not in the middle, your door is most likely to be warped and needs replacing.

If your door meets at the top but there is a gap at the bottom then it could just need an adjustment to the hinge to pull it back into shape.

What type of hinge does my uPVC door have?

After you've looked at the alignment of the door, the next step is to identify what style of hinges you have on the door.

Butt hinges

These are the oldest style of hinge found on older uPVC doors but still common today. Depending on the age of the hinge it might have just a lateral adjustment, lateral and vertical or no adjustment at all.

T-hinges

This style of hinge is similar to a flag hinge and can usually be adjusted laterally and vertically.

Flag hinges

Usually found on modern uPVC doors, this style of hinge allows you the most control over making adjustments to the door. Laterally, vertically and compression (moving the door closer and further to the door jamb).

What tools do I need to adjust a uPVC door?

• A flat head screwdriver
• A Philips head screwdriver
• Allen keys (also known as a hex key) - usually a 5mm

How to adjust uPVC door hinges

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 uPVC doors to stop draughts

The main cause of draughts is when the uPVC door is loose and 'rattles' in the frame. To fix this, you need to adjust the latching of the door by reducing the gap between the door and the door frame.

Doing this will tighten the seal on your door to stop draughts.

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.

1. You can adjust the strike plate by loosening the screws in the plate, in the door frame, and sliding towards the entrance of the door to tighten the fit.
2. 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.

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.

Is it time to think about a new uPVC door?

We have a wide range of doors that are hard-wearing, durable and secure.

Our uPVC doors have a 10-year guarantee that covers the installation and a lifetime guarantee for the discolouration of white uPVC profiles.

See what uPVC door you could have…