How to Adjust uPVC Doors to Stop Draughts

Adjusting uPVC doors to stop draughts is a simple yet essential task that can make a big difference in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. 

Over time, even the best-fitted uPVC doors can develop alignment issues, leading to gaps that let cold air in and heat out. These draughts can make your home less cosy and increase your energy bills. 

In this guide, we’ll look at why removing draughts around uPVC doors is necessary, how to identify the problem, and the steps you can take to fix it—ensuring your door remains secure, functional, and draught-free.

Why uPVC Doors Need Adjustment

uPVC doors are designed for durability and efficiency, but like any frequently used feature of your home, they can experience wear and tear over time. Issues like misalignment, loose hinges, or damaged seals can cause your door to lose its seal against the frame, leading to draughts and other problems.

Some common signs that a uPVC door needs adjusting to stop draughts are:

• Gaps between the door and the frame.
• Difficulty opening and closing the door.
• Cold air enters around the seals.
• Difficulty regulating heat in the entrance area.

Adjusting your uPVC door can help to resolve these issues which can improve energy efficiency, ensure your home is secure, and prolong the lifespan of your door.

Tools You’ll Need to Adjust uPVC Door Hinges

Before you start, it is worth gathering all the tools you may need to ensure the process is quick and efficient. Here is a list of tools that you will need to adjust your uPVC door to stop draughts:

• Allen Keys
• Flat Head Screwdriver
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Spirit Level
• Silicone Spray Lubricant
• Cleaning Cloth

You may not require all of these tools, but having them on hand will allow you to adjust your door quickly and without having to keep searching for tools.

Throughout the process, be gentle and do not over-tighten the adjustment points as this can damage hinges and misalign the door even further.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Your uPVC Door to Stop Draughts

Step 1: Identify Your Hinge

Depending on the age of your uPVC door, there may be different types of hinges on your door. The most common uPVC door hinges are:

Flag Hinges

These hinges are found on most modern uPVC doors and allow for height, lateral and compression adjustments.

Butt Hinges

These are common on older uPVC doors and offer some limited adjustment options.

T-Hinges

T Hinges are similar to Flag Hinges, however they offer more support to heavier doors. They offer the same height, lateral and compression adjustments.

Note: There are different styles and types of each of these hinges. Not all hinges will follow these instructions and you should check this before following these instructions. Start making minor adjustments and seeing what it does to the position of your door.

Step 2: Diagnose the Problem

After you have located your hinge, you need to figure out what is wrong with the door that it is allowing draughts to enter your home.

Height Issues

If the door is not closing properly and dragging on the floor or you can feel it scraping the bottom frame, the door likely needs to be moved upwards.

Lateral Issues

If you are having difficulty locking the door or you can see gaps on one side of the door, you may have a lateral issue that needs to be fixed.

Compression Issues

If the height and lateral position of the door seem right but you can feel a draught coming through the door, you may need to make adjustments that allow the door to compress the seal fully against the frame.

Step 3: Adjust the Hinges

Each of these issues requires a slightly different fix which you can see below.

Flag Hinges & T Hinges

Height Adjustment

1. Find the vertical adjustment screw which is usually visible or covered by a cap at the top of the hinge.
2. Insert the Allen key and turn it clockwise to raise the door and counterclockwise to lower the door. It is important to take this step slow making incremental adjustments and keeping track of how much you turn the screw so that you can make the same changes on the other hinges later on.
3. Test the door by opening and closing to make sure it is not scraping against the frame.

Lateral Adjustment

1. Find the lateral adjustment screw on the side of the hinge. This is sometimes covered by a small plastic insert that protects the screw so you will need to remove that before proceeding.
2. Using the right Allen key, turn the screw clockwise to move the door closer to the hinges or counterclockwise to move the door further away.
3. Check the door in the closed position to ensure there are no gaps between the door and the frame.

Compression Adjustment

1. Find the compression screw which can usually be found at the bottom of the T Hinge covered by a plastic cap.
2. Using the right Allen key, turn the screw to adjust how tightly fits against the door.
3. Make small adjustments until the door is sealing properly.

T Hinges may not have a compression screw so you will need to adjust the locking plate to create a tighter or looser seal.

Butt Hinges

Height Adjustment

1. Locate the height adjustment screw that is usually covered at the top of the hinge.
2. Turn the screw using an Allen key to achieve the desired height adjustment.
3. Check the door is in the correct position.

Lateral Adjustment

If your Butt Hinge has two Phillips screws visible on the surface of the hinge, you may be able to laterally move the uPVC door.

Turn these screws incrementally until you get the desired door position.

Step 4: Repeat for All Hinges

Repeat this process for all the hinges to ensure even pressure on the hinges and door. This will maintain the consistency of the door adjustments and make sure the whole door is aligned correctly.

Step 5: Adjust the Door Latch

Stepping away from the hinges, on the locking side of the door, you will see a number of shootouts that move when you engage the lock on the door. These have a summer and a winter setting that allow you to change the amount of compression on your uPVC door to prevent draughts.

You will see that the centre of the hexagonal hole is slightly offset. Using the right Allen key, turn each shootout so that the thicker side of the shootout is facing towards the door seal. This should engage the lock more and compress the seal to prevent draughts in the colder months.

Step 6: Test the Door

Throughout the whole process, keep testing the door and ensure that the locking mechanism still locks effectively and the door is sealing in the way that you had planned.

Get Professional Help

While adjusting uPVC door hinges is a task most homeowners can handle, there are times when professional expertise is necessary. 

Certain issues require more than basic adjustments and may indicate underlying problems with the door, frame, or hinges.

Still Noticing Draughts

After adjusting your door, if there are still draughts, there may be more issues than you first expected.

If this is the case, it is important to consult a specialist, they will be able to take a look at your door, find the problems and give you a uPVC door quote for any replacement doors.

Damaged Hinges

If the hinges are damaged, they won’t be able to perform the necessary adjustments. This can also be a security issue if the door isn’t being held firmly in place by the hinges.

Damaged Door Frame

If the door frame is damaged or warped, it is time to replace the entire door. Speaking to a specialist door installer will give you ideas about your replacement door and help you find the right style for your home.

Make Sure Your Door Is Performing Properly in Your Home

Adjusting uPVC doors to stop draughts is a straightforward process that can enhance your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and security. By identifying common alignment issues, using the right tools, and following a step-by-step guide, you can resolve problems like draughts, dragging, or difficulty locking with ease.

Regular maintenance and small adjustments can prolong the life of your uPVC door, keeping it in excellent working condition for years to come. However, if persistent issues remain or you encounter significant damage, it’s always wise to seek professional help to ensure the problem is resolved safely and effectively.

At the Double Glazing Network, we specialise in finding you the best uPVC door quotes in your area to keep your home secure and efficient. Get a quote on your replacement door with the Double Glazing Network online today.