How to Adjust a Double Glazed Back Door

Back doors take a hammering. In and out with the bins, the washing, the dog, all day long, so it is no surprise they need the odd tweak. Learning how to adjust a double glazed back door lets you cure a door that catches, drags or leaks draughts in a few minutes, without waiting for a callout. Here is a simple, step-by-step approach.

What kind of hinges have you got?

The adjustment depends on the hinge, so start by having a look.

• Flag hinges are the tall, cylindrical hinges common on newer uPVC and composite doors. They usually adjust in all three directions.
• Butt or T hinges are flatter and older, with fewer adjustment points.
• Rebated or lift-off hinges appear on some designs and adjust differently again.

Most doors fitted in the last decade or so use flag hinges, which are the most adjustable. Pop off any plastic caps and you will see the adjustment screws underneath, usually taken with an Allen key.

The three adjustments explained

Flag hinges move the door in three ways, and knowing which does what saves a lot of trial and error.

Height (up and down)

This lifts or drops the whole door. Use it when the door has sagged and is catching on the frame or the threshold at the bottom of the latch side.

Lateral (side to side)

This shifts the door left or right within the frame. Use it when the door rubs on one side or the latch does not line up with the keep.

Compression (in and out)

This pulls the door tighter against the weather seals or eases it off them. Use it to cure a draught (pull in) or a door that is too stiff to lock (ease off).

Step by step: lifting a dropped door

1. Open the door and pop the caps off the hinges.
2. Find the height adjustment screw, usually at the top or bottom of each hinge.
3. Turn it a quarter turn at a time to raise the door, doing each hinge evenly.
4. Close the door and check whether it still catches.
5. Repeat in small steps until it swings clear and latches cleanly.

Little and often is the trick. Big turns overshoot and leave you chasing the fault the other way.

Step by step: stopping draughts

A back door facing the Yorkshire weather needs to seal well.

1. Close the door and feel around the edges for cold air, or hold a candle or thin tissue near the seals.
2. Use the compression adjustment (often a cam on the lock keeps, or the lateral movement on the hinges) to pull the door in a touch.
3. Check the door still locks smoothly. If it is now too stiff, you have gone too far, so back it off slightly.
4. Inspect the gasket. If it is flattened, cracked or perished, it needs replacing, which is a cheap part and an easy win.

Common back door gripes and quick fixes

• Door drags on the floor: lift it with the height adjustment, and check the threshold is not full of grit.
• Latch misses the keep: adjust laterally, or nudge the keep on the frame a millimetre or two.
• Handle stiff or lock hard to turn: a little dry lubricant in the lock and a check of the compression usually helps.
• Door binds only in summer: heat expansion, often cured with a small hinge tweak.

When adjustment is not enough

Adjusting the hinges and keeps solves most back door troubles. Some jobs, though, point to something bigger. A hinge that is worn or pulling out of the frame, a multipoint lock that grinds or will not throw, or a door that has bowed will not be fixed by turning screws. Forcing a misaligned door can break the lock, so it pays to stop and get advice.

We are always happy to take a look. Our window and door repairs in York cover hinge and lock adjustments, worn seals and dropped doors across York and North Yorkshire. If your back door is genuinely worn out, our uPVC doors in York page shows the replacement options, and for something warmer and more solid, take a look at our composite doors in York.

FAQs

How do I adjust a double glazed back door that has dropped?

Pop the caps off the hinges, find the height adjustment screw (usually an Allen key fitting) and turn it a quarter turn at a time to lift the door evenly across the hinges. Test after each small adjustment until it stops catching.

How do I stop draughts around my back door?

Use the compression adjustment to pull the door tighter against the seals, then check it still locks smoothly. If the rubber gasket is flattened or perished, replace it, as no adjustment will fix a failed seal.

Which way do I turn the hinge screw to lift the door?

It varies by hinge, so turn a quarter turn and watch which way the door moves, then continue in the direction that lifts it. Adjust each hinge evenly to keep the door square.

Why does my back door only stick in summer?

uPVC and composite doors expand a little in heat, so they can bind on warm days and free up as they cool. A small hinge adjustment usually gives enough clearance to stop it.

When should I call a professional instead of adjusting it myself?

If a hinge is worn or pulling from the frame, the lock grinds or will not throw, or the door has bowed, get a specialist in. Forcing a misaligned door risks breaking the lock and a much larger repair.

Thinking a fresh back door would serve you better? Download our latest brochure to see the styles, or request a free quote and we will pop out for a look.