Is your builder installing the right locks?
I have just come away from a job that is going to cost my customer a lot of money. He had an extension built just last year with lovely bi-fold doors opening out onto his garden. All well and good. The trouble is, the installers put a multi-point locking mechanism into a wooden door. As I have said in previous posts, I personally think this is a bad idea, because wooden doors swell and contract with British weather and the mechanisms either retain water and rust quickly, or the wood swelling causes extra pressure on the moving parts and they break.
The other thing that happens when these doors swell, contract and generally settle into position, is that they do not align in the same position as when they were first installed, meaning adjustments are nearly always needed at some point. For this customer, the installers also used imported parts. I don’t understand why. Aesthetically, they look nice, but you can get plenty of nice looking parts here in the UK, which are easier to replace when things go wrong. I am awaiting results from several suppliers who are taking up much time to try and source the parts I need, but I expect them to all come up blank. I can’t use alternative parts because of size differences which will take away from the desired look of his doors. This is not the first time this has happened to me, and I doubt it will be the last.
So, here is the suggestion. A builder is a builder. While I can’t put up a wall, or do the many skilled things a builder does, I do know about locks. I know what future problems there might be when having new locks installed. I know which locks work best with which types of doors. So does your local locksmith. If you are having an extension, or alteration that means you need new doors with new locking products, get your local locksmith in to advise on the best products. He might charge for his time, he might not, even if they do, that labour charge could still potentially save you £100’s down the line. I still haven’t come across a new build where high security locking cylinders are fitted as standard by the builders. How would they know that the new kite marked diamond standard cylinders are out there? It would be like asking a dentist to perform a limb amputation. Get a locksmith to advise on security.
My other recent problematic case has to do with DIY UPVC installation. Now, I know that double glazing companies have a bad reputation, based on hard sell tactics of their sales forces. But once you get past the man in the suit, the installers really know what they are doing, especially the ones who have been doing so for a long time. (Always check the firm has been operating for some time). Buying a double glazed door from a DIY store and installing it yourself is fraught with dangers. When measuring for sizes, you might not realise the doorway is not quite square, or the wall might bulge in places, making all sorts of things uneven. All this can lead to a bad installation. Now, if you installed the door yourself, who can you complain to if it all goes wrong? With a professional installation, you can call them back to re-do it if its not to your liking.
An example is a customer of mine who bought a UPVC DIY door. He used laser equipment to make sure his measurements were correct. He went for a supposedly better make of door. But, when it came down to it, the door doesn’t fit. There is a gap at the bottom I can almost get my little finger into. He did the installation quite quickly, but then spent hours making adjustments so that everything lined up. But he is still going to have to cut bits off and out that should line up better in the first place. If he doesn’t, his door locking mechanism will break sooner rather than later. A professional job does cost more, but there is peace of mind for compensation. He was lucky, I advised him on the correct locks to have because the door only came with standard quality locks.
If you are undertaking any work that requires locks or locking doors, whether doing it yourself, or having it done professionally, ask your local locksmith for his/her advice. It might save you a lot of money in the long run.
If you would like to discuss any of the items on this page, please contact me through any of the methods on my contacts page.Thanks for reading.
The other thing that happens when these doors swell, contract and generally settle into position, is that they do not align in the same position as when they were first installed, meaning adjustments are nearly always needed at some point. For this customer, the installers also used imported parts. I don’t understand why. Aesthetically, they look nice, but you can get plenty of nice looking parts here in the UK, which are easier to replace when things go wrong. I am awaiting results from several suppliers who are taking up much time to try and source the parts I need, but I expect them to all come up blank. I can’t use alternative parts because of size differences which will take away from the desired look of his doors. This is not the first time this has happened to me, and I doubt it will be the last.
So, here is the suggestion. A builder is a builder. While I can’t put up a wall, or do the many skilled things a builder does, I do know about locks. I know what future problems there might be when having new locks installed. I know which locks work best with which types of doors. So does your local locksmith. If you are having an extension, or alteration that means you need new doors with new locking products, get your local locksmith in to advise on the best products. He might charge for his time, he might not, even if they do, that labour charge could still potentially save you £100’s down the line. I still haven’t come across a new build where high security locking cylinders are fitted as standard by the builders. How would they know that the new kite marked diamond standard cylinders are out there? It would be like asking a dentist to perform a limb amputation. Get a locksmith to advise on security.
My other recent problematic case has to do with DIY UPVC installation. Now, I know that double glazing companies have a bad reputation, based on hard sell tactics of their sales forces. But once you get past the man in the suit, the installers really know what they are doing, especially the ones who have been doing so for a long time. (Always check the firm has been operating for some time). Buying a double glazed door from a DIY store and installing it yourself is fraught with dangers. When measuring for sizes, you might not realise the doorway is not quite square, or the wall might bulge in places, making all sorts of things uneven. All this can lead to a bad installation. Now, if you installed the door yourself, who can you complain to if it all goes wrong? With a professional installation, you can call them back to re-do it if its not to your liking.
An example is a customer of mine who bought a UPVC DIY door. He used laser equipment to make sure his measurements were correct. He went for a supposedly better make of door. But, when it came down to it, the door doesn’t fit. There is a gap at the bottom I can almost get my little finger into. He did the installation quite quickly, but then spent hours making adjustments so that everything lined up. But he is still going to have to cut bits off and out that should line up better in the first place. If he doesn’t, his door locking mechanism will break sooner rather than later. A professional job does cost more, but there is peace of mind for compensation. He was lucky, I advised him on the correct locks to have because the door only came with standard quality locks.
If you are undertaking any work that requires locks or locking doors, whether doing it yourself, or having it done professionally, ask your local locksmith for his/her advice. It might save you a lot of money in the long run.
If you would like to discuss any of the items on this page, please contact me through any of the methods on my contacts page.Thanks for reading.
