--- title: How to Adjust a Dropped uPVC Front Door description: How to adjust a uPVC front door that has dropped on its hinges and catches on the frame, with simple steps for York homeowners and when to call a repairer. --- [![SM\_Logo\_Final\_Lught](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/SM_Logo_Final_Lught.webp?width=140&height=80&name=SM_Logo_Final_Lught.webp "SM_Logo_Final_Lught")](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk) - About - [About](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/about) - Doors - [uPVC Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/upvc-doors-york) - [Sliding & Bifold Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/aluminium-sliding-bi-fold-doors) - [Composite Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/composite-doors-york) - [Heritage Aluminium Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/heritage-aluminium-windows-doors) - [Door Repairs](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-door-repairs-york) - Windows - [uPVC Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/upvc-windows-york) - [Casement Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/casement-windows-york) - [Sash Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/sash-windows-york) - [Timber Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/timber-windows-york) - [Heritage Aluminium Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/heritage-aluminium-windows-doors) - [Lanterns & Roof Lights](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/korniche-lanterns-flat-roof-lights) - [Window Repairs](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-door-repairs-york) - Conservatories - [Conservatories](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/conservatories-orangeries-york) - [Orangeries](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/conservatories-orangeries-york) - Resources - [Gallery](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/gallery) - [Brochures](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/brochure-downloads) - [Blog](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/blog) - [Reviews](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/customer-reviews) - [Contact Us](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/contact) [Request A Quote](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/request-a-quote) [![SM\_Logo\_Final\_Lught](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/SM_Logo_Final_Lught.webp?width=140&height=80&name=SM_Logo_Final_Lught.webp "SM_Logo_Final_Lught")](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk) [Request A Quote](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/request-a-quote) - About - [About](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/about) - Doors - [uPVC Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/upvc-doors-york) - [Sliding & Bifold Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/aluminium-sliding-bi-fold-doors) - [Composite Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/composite-doors-york) - [Heritage Aluminium Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/heritage-aluminium-windows-doors) - [Door Repairs](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-door-repairs-york) - Windows - [uPVC Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/upvc-windows-york) - [Casement Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/casement-windows-york) - [Sash Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/sash-windows-york) - [Timber Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/timber-windows-york) - [Heritage Aluminium Windows](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/heritage-aluminium-windows-doors) - [Lanterns & Roof Lights](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/korniche-lanterns-flat-roof-lights) - [Window Repairs](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-door-repairs-york) - Conservatories - [Conservatories](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/conservatories-orangeries-york) - [Orangeries](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/conservatories-orangeries-york) - Resources - [Gallery](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/gallery) - [Brochures](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/brochure-downloads) - [Blog](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/blog) - [Reviews](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/customer-reviews) - [Contact Us](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/contact) [Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/blog/tag/doors) # How to Adjust a Dropped uPVC Front Door By [SM Windows & Doors](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/blog/author/sm-windows-doors) Oct 13, 2026, 3:30:00 PM 3 Minutes Read If your front door has started catching on the frame or scraping the sill, it has probably dropped a touch on its hinges. The good news is that knowing how to adjust a uPVC front door is often a five minute job with the right key, and you can usually put it right yourself before it gets worse. Below is what causes the drop, how to adjust the hinges step by step, and when a sticking door is telling you something a screwdriver will not fix. ## Why uPVC doors drop in the first place A uPVC door is heavy, and over the years its own weight pulls it slightly out of square. Warm summers and cold Yorkshire winters make the frame and slab expand and contract too, which loosens the hinges over time. The usual signs are a door that catches on the frame at the bottom, drags on the threshold, or has a lock that no longer lines up with the keep. Most uPVC front doors sit on three adjustable hinges, so a small tweak often brings the whole thing back into line. ## What you will need You do not need much: - The right Allen key or hex key for your hinges (commonly 5mm, sometimes a Torx bit). - A screwdriver, depending on the hinge type. - A helper to take the weight of the door if it has dropped a fair way. Work out which type of hinge you have first. **Flag hinges** (the rounded, barrel type) usually have a small cap you pop off to reach the adjustment screws. **Butt or T hinges** have exposed screws on the face or edge. ## How to adjust a uPVC front door step by step Open the door and look closely at the hinges before you touch anything. It helps to make a small pencil mark so you can see how far you have turned each screw. ### 1. Adjust the height (vertical) If the door is scraping the threshold, you want to lift it. Find the vertical adjustment screw, usually at the base of each hinge under a cap. Turning it clockwise generally raises the door, anticlockwise lowers it, though this varies by brand. Turn each hinge a little at a time and share the change across all of them rather than winding one hinge right up. ### 2. Adjust side to side (lateral) If the door catches on the frame down one edge or the lock will not meet the keep, use the lateral screw to move the slab towards or away from the hinge side. Small quarter turns are plenty. Test the swing after each adjustment. ### 3. Adjust the compression (depth) If the door shuts but feels loose or draughty, the depth or compression setting pulls the slab tighter against the seals. Nudge it so the door closes with a firm push and no rattle, but do not overtighten or it will be hard to lock. Work in small steps, close the door and check after every turn. Chasing big adjustments in one go usually makes things worse. ## When adjustment will not fix it Sometimes a dropped door is a symptom of something bigger. Book a proper look if: - The hinges are worn, bent or cracked rather than just loose. - The frame itself has shifted, bowed or pulled away from the wall. - The door has dropped so far that no amount of adjustment brings it square. - The multipoint lock is grinding or the door will not lock even once it is aligned. At that point you are into parts and know-how rather than a quick tweak. Our team handles [uPVC door repairs across York](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-door-repairs-york), from hinge replacement to realigning a tired frame, and we will tell you honestly whether a fix or a new door is the better spend. If the slab is genuinely past it, our [uPVC door range](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/upvc-doors-york) gives you a feel for the replacement options. ## Keep it from happening again A yearly bit of care goes a long way. Wipe and lightly oil the hinges, keep the tracks and seals clean, and lift the handle fully to throw the lock rather than forcing the door. Catching a small drop early means a quick adjustment instead of a worn out mechanism later. ## FAQs ### Which way do I turn the screw to lift a dropped uPVC door? On most flag hinges, turning the vertical adjustment screw clockwise raises the door and anticlockwise lowers it, but this differs between hinge brands. Make a pencil mark, turn a little at a time and check the swing after each adjustment rather than winding it a long way in one go. ### Can I adjust a uPVC front door myself? Usually yes. If the door has simply dropped and the hinges are sound, the right Allen key and a few careful turns will often bring it back into line. If the hinges are worn or the frame has moved, it is worth getting a repairer in rather than forcing it. ### Why does my uPVC door only stick in summer? uPVC and the door slab expand a little in warm weather, so a door that is already sitting low can start to catch when it heats up. A small compression or height adjustment usually sorts it, though a door that binds badly every summer may need realigning properly. ### How much does it cost to fix a dropped uPVC door? A straightforward hinge adjustment is a small job, often in the region of 60 to 120 pounds if you have someone out, while replacing worn hinges or a lock mechanism runs higher. Prices vary with the parts and the door, so it is best to get a quote for your own. Want to see the full range of styles and finishes before you decide anything? [Download our latest brochure](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/brochure-downloads), or [request a free quote](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/request-a-quote) and we will pop out for a look. #### SM Windows & Doors Author ## Phone: 07833387823 Email: [Sam@smwindowsanddoors.co.uk](mailto:Sam@smwindowsanddoors.co.uk) Opening times: Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 17:00 Sat-Sun: By Prior Appointment [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/people/SM-Windows-Doors/100093013267883/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/smwindowsanddoors/) ![x59dcc190ea7d320001f0083a\_logoAsset-2-1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.lk8k-280iY](https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/x59dcc190ea7d320001f0083a_logoAsset-2-1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.lk8k-280iY.jpg?width=300&height=106&name=x59dcc190ea7d320001f0083a_logoAsset-2-1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.lk8k-280iY.jpg "x59dcc190ea7d320001f0083a_logoAsset-2-1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.lk8k-280iY") ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "SM Windows & Doors", "url" : "https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/blog/author/sm-windows-doors" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-13T14:30:00.975Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-13T14:30:00.000Z", "headline" : "How to Adjust a Dropped uPVC Front Door", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/blog/sm-windows-doors-blog/how-to-adjust-a-dropped-upvc-front-door", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://smwindowsanddoors.co.uk/hubfs/SM_Logo_Final_Lught.webp" }, "name" : "SM Windows & Doors" } } ```