offset spindle lever pad - is a change to NON night-latch possible?

[Trev Bash]

I have recently moved house and the front door is a upvc type with handles having an offset spindle, lever pad type mechanism. This works as designed and the 'night-latch' facility works as intended. A key can be put into the lock from the inside or the outside.

My question is:- can the mechanism be changed so that the night latch does not function?

I wish to be able to open the door by using the handle from either inside or outside as I am concerned that I (or anyone else in the house) can be inadvertently locked out simply by stepping outside, pulling the door closed behind them and not having a key with them.

The local door/window showroom were only interested in selling me a new door for £600+ but I thought I would ask if anyone knows whether there is a simple solution to the problem.

 

[Gazman16]

Yes easy
Pretty much just a new spindle needed....
Are the internal and external handles offset (different heights)? If so you will need some new handles too, Which come with spindles anyway.

Here is a guide for measuring handles, You do need to be millimeter perfect which is a little tricky
https://www.handlestore.com/blog/how-to-measure-upvc-door-handles/

You can get handles cheaper on bay £15-50 depending on size

 

[Trev Bash]

Thanks Gazman16,

I have taken the handles, spindles and spring cassettes off and put them back on again and I would be happy to change the parts for new ones but I'm not actually sure that would affect or change the night latch mechanism/function which is what I am trying to stop.

The handles are offset with the indoor handle/lever (and spindle) higher than the outdoor handle/pad (and spindle) and they operate separately from each other. When you turn the indoor handle, the bolts, rollers and hooks etc all move and the latch retracts but when you turn the outside pad the latch does not retract - you have to use the key and that is what I am trying to change.

I'm trying to work out if the mechanism can be altered or changed within the locking mechanism so that both handles can withdraw the latch instead of just the inside one.

The door locking mechanism itself works fine and just as it was designed to but I guess I'm just being awkward because I don't want the night latch feature to lock me out... and I don't want to buy a new door.

Cheers,

 

[Gazman16]

Nope just need to change the handles to a standard lever/lever set with a one piece spindle.
Basically the second spindle hole on the outside becomes redundant which is the one that doesn't operate the latch

 

[Trev Bash]

Aah right, thank you, I think I see what see what you mean now.

I do away with the lower outside pad handle and it's spindle completely and in it's place I fit a long spindle and two handles (inside and out) just through the top handle hole. That seems to make sense.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I will take some measurements, buy a new pair of handles and see how it goes.

 

[Gazman16]

You got it

 

[JohnD]

Keep the old bits.

Refit them if your memory improves, or the day after a burglar tries your door and walks into your house.

 

[Gazman16]

Keep the old bits.

Refit them if your memory improves, or the day after a burglar tries your door and walks into your house.

They can easily do that anyway if its only locked on the latch. Credit card, Butter knife, Little shoulder bump and pop its open.
Lever Pad set up makes people lazy by not locking the door properly, Bad for both security and causing doors to bow

 

[Trev Bash]

Keep the old bits.

Refit them if your memory improves, or the day after a burglar tries your door and walks into your house.

Thanks for your input.

We did have a 'night latch' front door on one of our houses and strangely enough this was the only house that we were ever burgled in - fat lot of use it was then. Another house we lived in for over 12 years had a lever both sides system and we were never burgled either with the door locked or unlocked.

Just about every domestic burglary I attended over 30 years involved damage to a door or window and the cost of repair often turned out to be far more costly than the value of the items stolen. I agree a locked front door is a great deterrent but a determined burglar will gain entry regardless - a brick through the window is not sophisticated but it works.

I think I can trust myself to lock the door when I go out and at least I know I won't get accidentally locked out.

Oh, I nearly forgot, thanks for your input.