Can uPVC doors expand in the heat

uPVC doors can expand  in the heat

After a wet Winter and Spring, we are all desperate to see some sunshine. Well, I am, and being able to turn the central heating off will be a bonus. What surprises some is that our uPVC and wooden doors can swell in warmer temperatures and contract in cooler temperatures. So, can uPVC doors expand in the heat? A lower Sun at midday in April hitting a south-facing uPVC or composite door can be incredibly hot to touch and expand.

Temperature changes can prevent you from locking or unlocking your door, which can be quite problematic for keeping your property secure and for getting into your house.

We can help when a uPVC door expands

However, all is not lost. With just a simple phone call, the problem can be sorted, leaving you to enjoy the rest of the summer. As a professional Doncaster locksmith, I’m on hand to sort out the situation and leave you with a door that can once again be easily locked, keeping your home secure and helping you to focus on much more important matters.

Why does this happen

When your door was fitted some time ago, it probably worked perfectly. But as time has passed, the door will have “dropped”. It’s not a term I like, but people relate to it. In reality, it is more likely that the door has started to lean. The door will undoubtedly catch at the top and create a more significant gap at the bottom. In Winter, I get calls for doors where daylight can be seen at the bottom. This lets in cold air or warm air out! Again, the doors will contract in colder temps, which means the doors will shrink. French or patio doors are particularly vulnerable to this, so can uPVC doors expand in the heat? Yes.

What can be done

The doors will need realigning. It may sound simple, but a scan on YouTube will help you sort it out. Half a turn on an Allen key, and you are fixed. Not really; there can be many issues. The door may need “packing”, and no amount of turns on an Allen key with help. If anything, it could make it worse. The gap may disappear, but now you must force the handle to lock the door.  It is leading to a broken multipoint lock that will need replacing. Packing a door involves removing the beads and placing specific plastic inserts at designated places to put the door into a perfect rectangle and putting it square again. The Packers will already be in the door but can dislodge when a door is slammed.

The hinges on composite doors are known for being problematic, and we are often presented with previous attempts. Rounded-off adjustments are a regular occurrence, and having the correct tools is a must.

Please leave it to me; I have encountered all these issues before and will be able to realign your doors and get them back to how they were when first fitted. I will put your door back into an airtight position that is smooth to operate and secure.

Will this be expensive?

If you call me, I will give an approximate price and timescale. The nature of our work is that we work day-to-day so you won’t be waiting weeks for an appointment. Finally, I stick to my motto that if I can not fix your door, I do not charge.