Why is my uPVC Door Letting Cold Air In?
The weather has turned cold over the last couple of days and you may have noticed that your uPVC door is letting in a cold draught, this is a common problem many homeowners face.
At Keytek® we understand how frustrating it is when your door just doesn’t seem to function as it should, making your home colder and your heating bills creep up! In our guide we will walk you through why this happens, how to diagnose the issues you’re having and how you can attempt to fix this problem before calling in the professionals.
Why Is My uPVC Door Letting in Cold Air?
- Door Needs Adjusting
- Obstructions around the Door
- Worn or Damaged Seals
- Winter/Summer Settings
- Structural Damage
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Your Door Needs Adjusting
Over time, your door may shift slightly out of position through regular use. This misalignment creates tiny gaps between the door and the frame, letting the cold air sneak in. It may also be the reason you are having issues like your uPVC door handle not lifting to lock.
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Obstructions around the Door
On a windy day, debris like stones, leaves or dirt could have managed to wiggle their way in and build up at your door, preventing it from closing properly and leaving gaps.
If the problem of cold air is still occurring after the debris has been removed from the bottom of the door, then the uPVC door needs to be adjusted because it’s most likely fallen out of alignment.
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Worn or Damaged Seals
The rubber gaskets or weatherstrips around the door frame can crack, compress or harden over time leaving gaps for draught to come through.
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Winter/Summer Settings
Did you know some uPVC doors have small sliders that adjust how tightly the door seals against its frame? If it is still on the summer setting you may be getting a draught for that reason.
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Structural Damage
If your door is old, warped or damaged it is likely you are going to need to replace the whole door.
Reason for Draft How to Fix Misalignment We recommend calling a locksmith if your door is misaligned. There may be hidden damage within the mechanisms that you can’t see and if you attempt it yourself you could create further damage Obstructions around the Door Simply run a damp cloth around the edges of your door, frame and seals to clean out any built-up debris. Ensure you dry it thoroughly to prevent any ice building up on a cold day! Worn or Damaged Seals You can pick up weatherstripping in your local hardware shop. Simply pull out the old gaskets and push the new one into place. If you don’t feel confident doing it yourself, call a locksmith for help. Winter/Summer Settings For winter mode you will want it to be pushed to allow a tighter seal against the frame, preventing small pockets of cold air and vice versa in the summer. Structural Damage Sometimes replacing parts will be enough to help but it won’t be a long-term solution for this problem.
How Can I Tell If My uPVC Door Needs Adjusting?
The best way to figure out by yourself if your uPVC front door needs adjusting is by holding the back of your hand close to the door and seeing if you can feel cold air. If the answer is yes, then the door will need to be adjusted correctly.
How to Adjust uPVC Door Hinges to Stop Draughts
The first step to making sure that cold air is not being let in by your uPVC front door is to draught-proof the door.
- Find the Allen Key Spot
uPVC doors have a spot where an Allen key can be inserted where the door hinge is.
- Twist the Allen Key
Insert and twist the Allen key. The door should then reverse towards the door frame.
- Repeat
Repeat this procedure until your uPVC door is adjusted correctly by being level and balanced.
- Still Not Right?
If you’ve completed the steps and your door still isn’t right, the best thing to do is get a new uPVC door.
Tools Needed to Adjust uPVC Door Hinges
- Cross-head screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Allen keys (also known as Hex keys)
If you are having difficulty adjusting your uPVC front door or just want a professional to come out and have a look at the door, then our Locksmiths at Keytek® are more than happy to help, as we are uPVC specialists.
Quick and Cheap Ways to Stop Draughts Coming In
If you need something quick, cheap and easy to prevent the cold air getting in whilst waiting to fix or replace your uPVC door, check these out:
Get a Door Draught Excluder
If all else fails and you are still experiencing draughts, it might be worth getting a draught excluder. These are not designed to provide insulation, but to stop the cold air from passing through. For an external door, a brush type draft excluder is recommended, as they are made for heavy usage.
Fit Draught Strips Around the Doors
These come in various materials, such as rubber, foam, or as brush or wiper strips. They have self-adhesive backing, meaning they are easy to install.
- Remove old weatherstripping
- Clean and dry the door and frame
- Cut weatherstripping to size
- Peel and stick, it’s as simple as that
- Some require screwing in, so double check the type you buy
Cover the Keyhole
You can buy ready made keyhole covers cheaply online or a piece of duct tape will work momentarily. Be careful not to get sticky residue inside your locks however as this will prevent them from working efficiently.
Fit a Letterbox Draught Excluder
If your letterbox doesn’t already have a draught excluder, it is essential to get one to prevent draughts. The bristles not only prevent heat loss but provide an additional layer against wind, dust and noise.
Hang a Heavy Curtain Over your Door
If it is possible, you can try hanging a heavy or thermal curtain over your door to add an additional layer against your living areas and the door.
Upgrade your Double Glazing
Windows should be replaced every 15 to 20 years as over time they can become less affective and let the cold air in. Signs they need replacing are:
- Draughts
- Difficulty opening and closing windows
- Condensation between panes
When to Call Keytek Locksmiths
If you’ve tried the tips we’ve suggested above and not had much luck in preventing the draught, please do give us a call. Our locksmiths are uPVC experts who understand all the delicate ins and outs of these doors. Give us a call where one of our friendly team will be more than happy to help!
Hollie Ferris
Hollie is Keytek Locksmith's uPVC specialist, bringing her experience in uPVC doors, locks and window mechanisms from a unique background in the glazing industry. Growing up in a family that operates a successful local double-glazing company, she developed an intuitive understanding of uPVC systems from an early age and gained hands-on experience through her first role in the family business.
After earning her bachelor's degree from Bournemouth University, Hollie joined Keytek where she has been the go-to expert for all uPVC-related challenges for the past 6 years. She creates comprehensive guides and troubleshooting content, helping homeowners understand their uPVC door mechanisms, identify common lock problems, and determine when professional locksmith services are needed.
Read all of Hollie's insights at keytek.co.uk, including comprehensive uPVC maintenance guides.
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Yes, most upvc doors can be adjusted at the hinges and locking points to improve the seal and prevent cold air from entering your home.
No, a correctly installed upvc door should not let in any cold draughts.
In the majority of cases, repairs such as seal replacement or adjustments are far cheaper that replacing the entire door.
This is often caused by misalignment or worn seals, as well as other possible causes.