How to Adjust a uPVC Door to Stop Draughts
Most draughts around a uPVC door can be fixed by adjusting the keeps on the frame to pull the door tighter against its seals, adjusting the hinges so the door sits correctly, and replacing worn seals. You’ll usually need just an Allen key and a screwdriver.
Draughty windows too? See our 6 steps to stop draughts around uPVC windows.
Step 1: Find Where the Draught Is Coming From
On a cold or windy day, run your hand slowly around the edges of the closed door, then check:
- The top and sides of the door
- The bottom of the door and the threshold
- The letterbox
- The keyhole
- The glass panels, if your door has them
The location tells you which fix you need.
| Draught location | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Along the lock side | Door not pulled tight enough | Adjust the keeps (Step 2) |
| Along the hinge side | Hinges need adjusting | Adjust the hinges (Step 3) |
| All around the door | Worn or damaged seals | Replace the seals (Step 4) |
| Under the door | Worn threshold or bottom seal | Check the threshold (Step 5) |
| Letterbox or keyhole | No draught protection | Fit a brush or cover (Step 6) |
Step 2: Adjust the Keeps to Tighten the Door
When you lift the handle and lock the door, hooks and rollers on the door edge engage with metal plates on the frame called keeps. Adjusting the keeps changes how tightly the door is pulled against its seals.
- Open the door and find the keeps on the frame, level with the lock.
- Many keeps have an adjustment screw, or slotted holes that let you move the keep slightly.
- Move each keep a small amount towards the outside of the house to pull the door in tighter.
- Close and lock the door. It should lock firmly without forcing the handle.
- If the handle becomes stiff, ease the keeps back slightly.
Adjust all the keeps by the same amount so the door is pulled in evenly.
Step 3: Adjust the Hinges
Most uPVC doors have flag hinges, which can usually be adjusted with an Allen key (typically 4mm or 5mm):
- Height: raises or lowers the door. Use this if the door has dropped and catches on the frame or threshold.
- Side to side: moves the door towards or away from the hinge side, to even out the gaps.
- Compression (on some hinges): pulls the hinge side of the door tighter against the seals.
Remove the plastic caps on the hinges to find the adjustment screws. Make small adjustments to each hinge, then test the door after every change.
Tip: if the door is hard to lock, check whether it has dropped. Lifting it slightly with the height adjustment often lines up the lock again.
Windows need adjusting too? See our uPVC window adjustment guide.
Step 4: Check and Replace the Seals
Look closely at the rubber seals (gaskets) around the door and frame. Replace them if they are:
- Cracked, split or flattened
- Shrunk away from the corners
- Loose or missing in places
Use replacement gaskets that match your door. Avoid stick-on foam strips. They can stop a uPVC door closing and locking properly.
Step 5: Check the Threshold
Draughts under the door usually come from a worn bottom seal or threshold. Check that the seal along the bottom of the door touches the threshold when the door is closed. If the door has dropped, adjusting the hinge height (Step 3) can close the gap.
Step 6: Seal the Letterbox and Keyhole
- Letterbox: fit a brush or flap draught excluder on the inside.
- Keyhole: fit a keyhole cover on the inside.
These are quick, cheap fixes that can make a noticeable difference.
Step 7: Test the Door
Close and lock the door, then check the edges again for draughts. A properly adjusted door should close smoothly, lock without forcing the handle and feel tight against its seals.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Door?
Adjustments won’t help if the door itself is failing. Consider replacing it if:
- The door is warped, or still draughty after adjusting
- The locking mechanism keeps failing
- The glass has condensation between the panes, which means the sealed unit has failed
- The door is old, poorly insulated or less secure than modern doors
New uPVC doors have fully reinforced frames and multi-point locking, which improves security as well as warmth. For a more solid, timber-like feel, consider composite doors. Replacing a back door? Read our glass back door replacement guide.
Time for a New Door?
If your door is still draughty after adjusting, it may be time to replace it. Trade uPVC Windows is a family-run company that has supplied and installed uPVC and composite doors across Glasgow and the Central Belt since 2013. We’ll measure for free and give you a no-obligation quote.
📞 07723 363366 | Request a free quote
FAQs
How do I stop draughts coming through my uPVC door?
Adjust the keeps so the door is pulled tighter against its seals, adjust the hinges if the door has dropped, and replace any worn seals.
Why is my uPVC door letting in cold air?
Usually because the door isn’t pulled tight enough against its seals, the door has dropped, or the seals are worn.
Can you adjust a uPVC door yourself?
Yes. Most keep and hinge adjustments only need an Allen key and a screwdriver. Make small changes and test the door each time.
What size Allen key do I need to adjust a uPVC door?
Usually 4mm or 5mm, depending on the hinge.
Why is my uPVC door hard to lock?
The door has probably dropped, so the hooks and rollers no longer line up with the keeps. Adjust the hinge height to lift the door slightly.
Should I use weather stripping on a uPVC door?
Stick-on strips aren’t recommended. They can stop the door closing and locking properly. Replace worn gaskets with matching replacements instead.
