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[Varche]

A serious story. The 94 year old uncle in law went out of his house about six weeks ago and the door closed and he couldn't get back in. He lay down and had a sleep.Got pneumonia and that was the beginning of the end. Stupid door design which locks you out but folk inside can get out. Called swivel locks I think. Installed only because he had callers pestering him but needed to get out in a fire.

Went round today to take the last item t(cooker) - it was from Yorkshire, to a charity and went in and put keys etc down. Went out with cooker and door slang shut! £114 locksmith fallout. At least the hire car company didn't charge extra when we were 50 minutes late taking the hire car back.

Apart from locksmiths, anyone think these door handles are any good?

[STEMO]

They serve a purpose, Varche, and nothing is foolproof. A very sad story, but the locks were doing the job they were intended to do.

[Nick W]

Do you mean the UPVC front door type that has a lever on the inside, and just a pad on the outside which means you have to open the door with the key? Known as a lever/pad and is the double glazed equivalent of the traditional Yale lock? There must be millions of each type in existence, and are used in the same way.


If so, blaming the lock is peculiar.

[biggriffin]

Was offered those locks when new double glazing wsa done, and said NO, seen to many people locked out, when they pop out for a fag, get the shopping, etc.
 Chose lock to locks with door handles. 

[Jimbob]

I know em as split spindle and wouldn't have anything else. I want the door to stay shut behind me without messing about with a key. Different story for the back door which has no access from the front.

[Nick W]

I know em as split spindle and wouldn't have anything else. I want the door to stay shut behind me without messing about with a key. Different story for the back door which has no access from the front.

It's deliberate so that only you can open your front door. Lever/pad on a  front door(or a Yale lock for the same effect), and a lever/lever for a back or kitchen door is just normal. Has been for decades.

[Rods2]

Hence, why I always carry two key rings with front door keys in my pocket.

[RobG]

Split spindle PVCu front doors when closed and NOT locked with the key can be opened from outside with a flexi paint/wallpaper scraper
Remember, when not key locked the only thing keeping the door shut is the spring loaded latch

[Varche]

Rob you are quite correct. However no good for an old man with dementia or us with no tools miles from home with various deadlines. Mobile phone locked inside and so on

Funnily enough Spanish front doors do not even have a handle so you need a key every time to get in. They just adapt.

[Jimbob]

Split spindle PVCu front doors when closed and NOT locked with the key can be opened from outside with a flexi paint/wallpaper scraper
Remember, when not key locked the only thing keeping the door shut is the spring loaded latch

Ohh yes,

Door is always locked at night / when out, but its closed enough for when we are in the house.