How To Remove A UPVC Door & Other Tips

UPVC doors have become increasingly popular in recent years. Whether it's because they're low maintenance, offer good insulation, or are great value for their cost, they've got a lot going for them. If you're trying to pull one off, though, it's not the same as a "standard" door. If you're wondering how to remove a uPVC door, look no further - you're in the right place. We're going to talk about why you might want uPVC doors, how to remove them, and more, so stay tuned.

How to remove a uPVC door - open it to a 90-degree angle and lift. Easy as that!

Let's get right into it. This is gonna be a fun one!

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UPVC Doors - What, Why, How?

First things first - what is uPVC? Short for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (boy is that a mouthful), uPVC is an increasingly popular medium for doors and windows. It's got quite a few benefits going for it, so let's talk a bit about those, shall we?

Value & Insulation

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If you're looking to save a bit of cash on your doors, uPVC is a great choice. It's cheaper than aluminium or timber (the most common alternatives) while still looking high-quality. Do you know those plastic-like window frames that are super common in modern homes? Yeah - you guessed it, that's uPVC. Unless you're selling a multi-million pound home, nobody is going to judge you for having a uPVC door.

It also works as an effective insulator for your home, especially compared to aluminium and wood. It prevents dampness and cold from getting into your home and retains heat surprisingly well. This means that you'll end up actually saving money in the long run on heating thanks to your door, which is always nice. In time, one could say that it pays for itself in savings!

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Maintenence, Durability, & Security

But that's not all - uPVC is actually highly durable, secure, and easy to maintain. While it may be hard to believe, most uPVC doors are actually surprisingly secure. They are (generally) prybar proof, meaning they can't be forced open or broken with normal burglary tools. They maintain their strength for up to ten years and won't rust, swell, or warp.

Add in that they're easy to clean, and you've got a winner of a choice. Because plastic won't rot or rust like wood or metal (respectively), uPVC is easy to clean and maintain. You can get it in a variety of colours, cutting out the need for paint (and the maintenance of said paint). And perhaps best of all - all it takes to clean is a quick once over with general surface cleaner and a rag.

Read Next: How to install a ring doorbell on a uPVC door .

Removal

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Another great perk of uPVC doors is that they're surprisingly easy to remove. Unlike standard doors, the hinges aren't screwed into the wall and door. They make use of hinge pins that can be lifted out, making them incredibly easy to install and uninstall if needed.

To remove a uPVC door, all that's needed is to open it to a 90-degree angleand lift roughly 50 mm. It helps to have a friend and something with which to leverage the door ,as they can get heavy with glass/windows installed.

Reinstallation is also very easy - all that's needed is to reverse the process. "Open" the hinges to a 90-degree angle and gently drop the door and hinge pins into place. Close it up, and you're all set!

Read Next: How to install a ring doorbell on a uPVC door .

How to Realign a uPVC Door

If you already have a uPVC door and have noticed that it's started to sag or droop, don't worry - it's pretty easy to fix. First, you'll need to check the alignment of your door. To do that, check the following:

• Is the door level? Check with a level (I know, big surprise), and if it's not - you'll need to realign.
• Are the corners and frame aligned? You can take a look at a single corner to see if the door and frame are parallel. If not, once again, you'll have to realign.
• And the obvious one - are there gaps between the door and frame? A small gap is normal, otherwise the door wouldn't close. However, if you notice that the door is hanging at an agle and there's a large gap at the bottom or top, again, realignment is in your future.

Luckily, modern uPVC doors have a specialised type of hinge (called a flag hinge) that make it easier to install and adjust. Older types like butt hinges or T-hinges will occasionally require either reinstallation or professional help.

You'll need an Allen wrench and/or hex keys and a screwdriver to do this properly.

Adjusting a Flag Hinge

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There are three specialised adjusters on flag hinges - height, lateral, and compression. The first (obviously) adjusts the height, the second changes side-to-side, and the last brings the door closer to the frame, forming a seal. To use them:

1. Height – This is at the bottom of the door. Sometime they’re covered by a plastic plug that can easily be removed with your wrench – usually a 5 mm socket.
   • Use this when the door is just hanging too high or low.
2. Lateral – Generally hidden behind a plastic cover or plug, this is on the farthest side from the door frame. You’ll likely need to unscrew something here to get access. Once you do, you can find the Allen bolt inside, which can be used to adjust the door. Turning it left (counterclockwise) moves the door away from the hinge, while turning it right (clockwise) moves it toward the hinge.
   • Use this if your door is too close or far from the frame.
3. Compression – This is at the top of the hinge, usually behind a plastic plug or cover. Remove the plug with either a screwdriver or flat object to access the Allen bolt beneath. Tighten it to move it closer to the fram, and loosen it to loosen the seal. This should be your last adjustment.
   • If the door won’t close or you notice a draft, use this adjuster.
   • If the door sags and is tilted, you’ll need to likely use all three.

Adjusting a T-Hinge

These only have two adjusters - compression and lateral. They work pretty much the same as the above adjusters. If it's hanging too low or high, you'll have to reinstall the whole door.

Adjusting a Butt Hinge

This is the hardest to adjust, as they're not really designed to be adjusted. That's one reason that butt hinges have fallen out of popular use, but that's beside the point. Beyond reinstallation, all you can do is make lateral adjustments here.

This is done by tightening or loosening a Philip's head screw on the side of the door. First, though, you need to look for a grub screw . This isn't in all butt hinges, but some use them. You'll ned to loosen the grub screw first, otherwise, the door won't budge.

Final Thoughts

UPVC doors are great, truly. They're affordable, look great in most homes, are easy to maintain, and are secure and well-insulated. This means that you'll have an easier time maintaining them than traditional wood or metal doors, and are super easy to install and remove if needed. And if they make use of a flag hinge (which most modern ones do) they're super easy to adjust with a few simple tools and 5-10 minutes.

To remove a uPVC door, simply turn it 90 degrees. You'll then lever it up roughly 50 mm and simply lift it out of place. Keep in mind, though, that they can get heavy. Having a friend and prybar handy will make this drastically easier. And to reinstall, simply reverse the removal process - open the hinge, gently drop the door into place, and close. Easy! No need for professionals on this one, thank goodness.