It’s understandable for people to think about cooling down their homes or slathering on sunscreen when temperatures start climbing and heatwaves sweep across the UK. However, there’s one part of your home that suffers silently in the summer sun. Your door! It doesn’t matter if it’s made of timber, aluminium, or uPVC. Your door and its locking mechanisms aren’t immune to the effects of prolonged heat exposure.
If you’re concerned about jammed locks, swollen doors, or compromised home security when the British sun is at its harshest, worry no more. We asked trustworthy and experienced locksmiths from Locksmith Bradford their advice to help protect your doors from extreme heat.
How Does Heat Affect Doors?
We in the UK are more used to bracing ourselves for chilly mornings and damp afternoons. However, as soon as July and August start rolling around, the occasional heatwave can wreak havoc on materials like wood and plastic (and yes, even some metals). When this happens, our doors swell and locks stick. Your keys suddenly become a little less reliable, prompting you to call your trusty neighbourhood locksmith.
Swollen doors and warped frames
Wooden and uPVC doors tend to absorb moisture and expand when temperatures rise, causing the door to rub against the frame and stick when you try to open it. You might also find your door not latching properly (or worse, not close at all) if it becomes misaligned due to extreme heat.
That’s why many UK homeowners call locksmiths during summer to address their misaligned doors and locks due to thermal expansion. You compromise your home’s security when your door no longer fits snugly in its frame.
Jammed or misaligned locks
Locks can be “victims” of extreme heat too. It doesn’t matter if you have a mortise lock, a multi-point locking system, or even a night latch. Extreme heat can cause these devices’ internal components to expand and misalign. That makes them stiff and challenging to turn. They might even be jammed.
A locksmith can readjust your lock and check for damage. However, prevention is always better than a late-night emergency callout.
Bent keys
Did you know that metal keys can warp (although slightly) in direct sunlight? Try leaving them on a hot garden table for a few hours and you might return to a key that no longer slides smoothly into the lock. Heat can soften metal (a bit). Using a bent key repeatedly can damage your lock over time.
Get a locksmith to create a spare key and store it in a cool, shaded place. And if you think your key has changed shape, a locksmith can cut a new one.
Which Door Materials Handle Heat Best?
Doors handle the scorching British summer sun differently, depending on their core materials.
Wood
They’re classic and charming, making wooden doors a favourite of many. Sadly, they’re highly susceptible to heat-related swelling, expanding in heat and humidity, causing your door to stick, jam, and warp.
Professional locksmiths recommend repainting your wooden door in a lighter colour to reflect (not absorb) sunlight. Alternatively, you can apply an external varnish with UV protection to reduce your wooden door’s moisture absorption.
If your wooden door is already challenging to close because of warping or swelling, a locksmith can trim it slightly to realign the lock.
uPVC
This door material is more weather-resistant than wood. However, it can still expand in unusually high temperatures, causing its frames to warp and locks to stick.
Locksmiths suggest regularly wiping your uPVC door with cool water to mitigate heat effects. And if your door isn’t locking smoothly, let a locksmith adjust the hinges or the multi-point lock to keep things aligned and working safely.
Aluminium
If your door is made of aluminium, you’re in luck. This material is a champion of weather resistance. They don’t warp, swell, or crack, making them ideal for the UK’s hot and sunny climate. Moreover, they don’t demand meticulous maintenance.
Although aluminium doors are weather-resistant, you must still pick the right one. A locksmith can help. They might recommend aluminium doors with powder-coated finishes that won’t fade in the sun.
Composite
These materials combine wood’s strength, uPVC’s weather-resistance, and aluminium’s durability, making them a great all-rounder for handling weather extremes.
Locksmiths say these doors have advanced locking systems, which can get misaligned or stiff in extreme heat. Locksmiths can recalibrate these mechanisms without damaging your door.
How Can You Protect Your Locks During a Heatwave?
You now know why heat isn’t your door’s best friend and what materials can withstand to the UK’s occasional heatwave better. So, how do you protect your locks when temperatures soar?
- Keep your locks clean and well-lubricated. Use a graphite-based lubricant to keep internal mechanisms functioning like new. Avoid oil-based products because these can attract dust and will only gum up the locking mechanism.
- Check your door and lock alignment regularly. Call a locksmith if you notice your key not turning smoothly.
- Hire a trusted locksmith to install high-security locks, which are less prone to swelling and other heat-related issues.
- Add door canopies or shades to reduce lock exposure to direct sunlight. It should also maintain a consistent temperature while preventing heat-related warping.
Final Thoughts: Heat Doesn’t Have to Compromise Home Security
The UK summer is meant for beach days, backyard BBQs, and garden lounging, not stressing over stuck doors or jammed locks. You can enjoy the British summer sunshine without compromising your home’s security with the right care. Materials, and a dependable locksmith on speed dial.
So, the next time the temperature spikes, don’t forget to check in on your front door. You might already need a locksmith to handle stiff locks, misaligned door elements, and other heat-related door issues.
