Cold weather often makes doors difficult to close because materials react to temperature changes. When temperatures drop, uPVC door frames can contract and timber doors can swell if they absorb moisture, leading to friction against the frame or locking points.
Most sticking issues occur because the door is no longer hitting the keeps in the frame exactly as it should. This misalignment puts extra pressure on the locking mechanism, making it difficult to lift the handle or turn the key.
If you have a uPVC door, it may have dropped on its hinges over time. You can check this by looking at the gap between the door and the frame along the top and the hinge side.
If the gap at the top is uneven or the door is rubbing against the bottom threshold, the door has likely moved. This is a common occurrence that often requires adjustment of the hinge screws to lift the door back into a square position.
Timber doors are susceptible to changes in humidity and cold temperatures, which cause the wood to expand. If you notice that the door feels tight in the frame or is difficult to pull shut, it is likely that the wood has swelled.
Do not try to force a swollen door shut, as this can damage the lock or the handle assembly. In some cases, light sanding of the edge can help, but if the issue persists, the door may need professional adjustment to ensure it closes without resistance.
The metal plates in your door frame, known as keeps, are where the locking bolts engage. Over time, these can shift slightly, meaning the bolts hit the side of the metal instead of the hole.
Look closely at the keep plates for scrape marks or shiny metal, which indicate where the bolts are catching. If the bolts are not lining up correctly, the lock will be under constant strain every time you lock the door.
Minor door adjustments are sometimes possible if you are comfortable using basic tools, such as an Allen key to adjust hinges. However, if the door is dragging heavily or the lock is difficult to operate, forcing it will only lead to further damage.
If the mechanism inside the door is faulty, no amount of hinge adjustment will fix the issue. Attempting to dismantle a multipoint locking system without the right experience can often make the problem worse.
If you find yourself struggling to lock your door or if the handle is not functioning smoothly, it is time to seek professional help. We can assess whether the issue is a simple alignment problem or if the locking mechanism needs repair. We provide an honest arrival time over the phone and will always agree on a fixed price before any work begins. For a simple lockout opening, our prices start from £50. For help with your door, you can reach SIDE Locksmiths on 07561 514895. We are open from 07:00 to 23:00, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
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