Door Replacement Fitters

Qualified locksmiths can offer a full door installation and upgrade service and the Master Locksmiths Association provides a list of registered locksmiths who will be able to provide advice and information and give you practical help to ensure your door, windows and locks are suitable. In the UK the minimum recommendation for traditional wooden doors is five-lever mortice locks which carry the British Standard BS3621. The traditional night latch (aka Yale lock) fitted to doors is not secure and other locks need to be fitted, preferably deadlocks. Solid hardwood security doors are the most popular replacement doors supplied and fitted in the UK.

Decent examples pass the British Standard half hour fire check and are supplied with all the necessary security features. Panelled doors may look attractive, but are inherently weaker and less secure due to their design. Locksmiths and security companies will not fit them, but instead supply doors with external beading to give a panelled appearance. Hardwood security doors can be matched to the look of the original door by installing beading to give the impression of panels, while retaining the strength of a solid-core hardwood door (sometimes increased by the use of steel plating if desired).

Door Lock Types

Yale locks are the most common type of door lock fitted in the UK to wooden doors. The barrel of a yale type lock comprises of a round rim cylinder and not all are branded as Yale, Union, Cisa, and Asec are other examples of the same design. On the inside of your door, if fitted with a Yale type lock, you will a traditional night latch or sometimes a modern night latch. More modern security conscious designs will feature a Deadbolt type draw back, roller bolt, auto dead locking night-latch or BS3621 night latch. Sash locks are fitted to wooden and aluminium doors and are operated by depressing the handle to lock the dead bolt with a key. These locks can be either 3 lever 5 lever or 5 lever BS3621 locks. Deadlocks can be identified by the key hole and the length of the key, often with the make of the lock displayed on the key hole cover, when the door is open, you can see the make of the lock along with it's lever rating.

Hiring a Locksmith for Door Replacement

There are over 2,000 qualified locksmiths currently in the UK, and it is always worth finding out whether a locksmith is licensed by the Master Locksmiths' Association, as the authoritative body for locksmithing used by the Home Office, which sets standards of conduct, practice and materials within the industry. To gain a licence from the Master Locksmiths' Association, locksmiths undergo comprehensive inspection procedures.

Locksmithing can cover a whole range of functions and the services offered by different individuals and companies can vary tremendously. Many locksmiths specialise in just one aspect of the trade, for example as master key specialists or vehicle entry. If there's a specific job you need doing, you should be able to find a locksmith who is an expert in that field. Locksmiths must be trustworthy, honest and reliable, providing friendly advice on security products. Best to get recommendations by word of mouth from someone you trust if at all possible. Always ask for a written quote and compare quotes from different locksmiths and companies to find the best value for money. When buying products such as security doors, compare prices between locksmiths and security companies online to get the best deal.

A quick and easy way to gather quotes and compare prices is to use the "post your job" button on this page, just enter your details and have3 or more local tradesman get in touch to offer advice and prices for your new door. Bear in mind that a "like for like" replacement of an external door can cost from just a few hundred pounds for a typical double glazed item, but if you have a hardwood door or non standard sized door, costs will be considerably higher. in addition, if you are having your door replaced due to a break in and require a high security replacement door, the latest multipoint locking steel doors typically cost around £350-£500 plus fitting costs - but worth it for the peace of mind!