How to identify the correct window lock before buying

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE CORRECT WINDOW LOCK BEFORE BUYING

To correctly purchase the right window lock replacement we first need to identify which lock you need, and in order to do that we need to remove the lock.

If your window has broken in the locked position you may need a handyman to bypass the lock to open the window or if you are feeling lucky you can try it yourself.

Top tip: open an identical window elsewhere in your home preferably in the same room or part of the house, this should mean the same lock and hardware was used and you can remove this lock to identify if and then refit it back after gathering as much information from it as possible, then you can purchase a new lock ready before changing the broken lock.

BRANDING.         

Many lock brands will stamp their name or logo on the face of the lock, this is your first task to find and identify this.

Common brands are as follows:

• Avocet
• GU
• Maco
• Mila
• Nico
• Saracen

BACKSET

After we know the brand the next thing we need to do is measure the entire length and also the backset

Backset, this is a measurement taken from the face of the lock that sits flush to the window to the centre of where the square spindle bar goes through the lock, this measurement can be any of the below and is sometimes stamped on the side of the gearbox

• 20mm
• 22mm
• 25mm

LENGTH

Length option can range from as little as 150mm all the way up to 1200mm, Simply measure the full length of the mechanism.

FACEPLATE AND GEARBOX STYLE

The next job is to take note of the faceplate style and central gearbox style

Older window locks used a system called “U” rail to use on windows prior to when pvcu window manufacturers introduced the standadised “eurogroove” system

The profile of the faceplate would look like a flattened letter U, see this in the image below

The gearbox on these older window locks would be thin and offset in relation to the faceplate as you can see in the below image

If you think your window lock could be of this older style we would highly advise taking some photographs and emailing them to us on sales@sash-hardware.co.uk

3 PIECE TYPE

Many windows use a window lock comprised of 3 parts, the middle "gearbox" and two shootbolt extensions which run the entire length of the window and wrap around the edge housing a bolt that shoots out from the corners into the frame.

These shootbolts come in varying lengths and are designed to be cut down to suit your window exactly, longer versions can also come with mushroom cams for extra security and to help pull the window closed

For instance shootbolt rods may be stated as size 400-800, this means they can be cut to suit windows from 400mm up to 800mm

Unless they have been damaged or rusted badly these shootbolt extensions don't often need to be replaced.

See our window locks here Window Locks - Sash Hardware

If you are unsure we would be more than happy to help to identify your lock, simply take 4 or 5 good quality images of the lock looking at it from different angles and side, with it out of the window and email them along with as much descriptive information from this guide to sales@sash-hardware.co.uk         

Shop our window locks here - Window Locks - Sash Hardware