What is a euro cylinder?

This is a separate part of the lock that can be changed easily – sometimes referred to as the ‘door barrel’. It is a self-contained unit that when in place turns the actual lock and its component parts into place. The double glazing industry inherited a euro lock style right from the early days and we have stayed with it ever since in the UK. The basic construction is that of a series of pins which meet with the key pattern to allow a barrel to turn. Turning the barrel means the cam turns in the centre and this then turns the locks in your door.

Why are your locks cheaper than similar spec locks?

They are genuinely good value for money locks and our pricing policy means we price it like any other product - competitively. You can buy euro cylinders much cheaper but they don't have the features they are just anti-pick and anti-drill euro cylinders. Other companies charge much more for the same product we sell or for cylinders with less in the way of security features. All our cylinders are made by the tens of thousands and production like this will yield the right economics. For our part we will never offer anything but good value for money and certainly will not ask you to pay for branding.

How do I measure the size of the lock I need?

You can do it one of two ways. Either with the lock inside the door or with the lock out of the door. Click here for more. Watch the video to show how easy it is!

What is lock snapping?

This a technique used by burglars where the cylinder is snapped and a special tool used to unwind the locks on your door. The weakest point on a euro cylinder is the middle fixing screw and if too much of the cylinder protrudes from the door this can be clasped and twisted to break the cylinder. 'Anti-snap' cylinders have a break line that means the cylinder would break towards the end of the cylinder. It is always good practice to fit these locks so that the break line is very close or within the door line so that if the cylinder is broken on the shear line there is not enough cylinder to grasp with a tool. That said if your home is aggressively targeted there may be other ways to overcome this and no lock may be beyond such heavy attacks. Click here for more.

What is lock bumping?

This is a technique used by burglars to bounce the pins of your lock into a straight line and a quick action will turn the cylinder lock. Special keys are used and the process can be very quick. Click here for more. 

Are thumbturns as secure as the normal cylinders?

Insurance companies haven't backed these type of locks as yet as they are considered more insecure than the normal double ended key cylinders. This is down to the fact that devices can be used through a letterbox that can reach the thumbturn.

Are your cylinders Kitemarked?

Yes the manufacturer produces these items under a kitemark license KM561977. Customers should remember that having a kitemarked cylinder does not make for a kitemarked secure door unless all the other components on the door, and the door itself, are kitemarked.

Do your cylinders meet any British Standards?

Yes they do. Insurers ask for several such as BS3621:2007 and BS EN1303:2005 and these comply. The EN1303:2005 classification is 1-6-0-0-0-C-5-2.

Does your cylinder meet PAS24 standards?

This cylinder must be used with a 2 star security door handle (such as D102) to ensure enhanced resistance to all commonly used attack methods and meet PAS24. The DL05 and DL06 cylinders are rated as 1 star in accordance with TS007.

My cylinder has 5 pins will your 6 pin still work?

Yes. The number has no bearing on the replacement unless you have a really narrow door and only 5 pins can be fitted into the euro cylinder.

Having installed a new cylinder the key sticks and is a little clonky?

Undo the door handle screws and the side fixing bolt and then turn the key. The cylinder sometimes needs to find its true level. Once you have this then pinch the screws up slightly and try again until the screws are fully tightened.

Why should I change my existing cylinder?

Doors that have been fitted some years ago are fitted with the older style cylinders that have little in the way of in-built security features. Today’s cylinders have enhanced security features such as anti-pick, anti-drill and both bump and snap resistance features built into the design as standard.

How easy is it to fit a new key cylinder?

Very easy. One screw located at the side of the door will release the cylinder. Consult the door key cylinders web page - “Show me how to uninstall the door cylinder”. The whole process can take only a few minutes!

The only other thing you need to know is the size of the cylinder and again this can be found on the door key cylinders web page.

As long as you have the right screwdriver and the key to the door anybody can take out the cylinder. The most difficult part of the process can be to take the screw out (apply care to the head of the screw if tight and do not use a drill screwdriver – hand only).

I want to replace several door key cylinders with the same key. Can this be done?

Yes it can and these can be ordered from the website. As long as the cylinder shape design is the same then you can replace the cylinders for your patio door, french door and entrance doors with one single key! You can also key-alike with a thumbturn cylinder too!

Why do keyed alikes only come with 3 keys?

One cylinder and its 3 keys are retained from which the rest of the cylinders in the set will be copied. This means the other cylinders are stripped down and re-configured so the keys they started with are scrapped.