The short answer
Yes, you can fit a door chain to a uPVC or composite door, but don't screw a traditional chain into the face of the door. uPVC doors are mostly hollow plastic profiles and panels, so ordinary chain screws can pull out when someone pushes the door.
Use a chain made for uPVC doors. Ours fixes to the door using the bottom screw of your inside handle, so there's no drilling into the door. The keep then screws to the frame.
A door chain lets you open the door a few inches to see who's there, take a parcel or check an ID, without letting anyone push their way in. It's one of the cheapest security upgrades for a front door, and especially useful for anyone living alone.
Why ordinary door chains don't suit uPVC doors
A traditional door chain is made for a solid timber door. Its screws go straight into the wood. On a uPVC or composite door, that causes three problems:
- The screws have little to grip. Into the plastic skin, they can tear out under a hard push, which is the moment you need the chain to hold.
- You're drilling holes in your door. They're hard to hide if you change your mind, and they may affect your door's guarantee.
- The door is in the way. Raised panels and glass on many uPVC doors leave nowhere flat to fit the chain plate.
How a uPVC door chain works
Our door chain for uPVC doors uses your door's own handle fixing instead of new holes in the door:
- On the door: the chain fixes under the bottom screw of your inside door handle. That screw goes right through the door into the outside handle, so it's a strong anchor and needs no new holes in the door.
- On the frame: the slide keep screws to the frame beside the door, using the fixings in the pack.
It suits uPVC, composite and timber front and back doors with a lever handle.
How to fit it
- Undo the bottom screw of your inside door handle. Only take out the one screw, so the handle stays in place.
- Fit the chain plate under the handle and put the screw back in. Tighten it firmly.
- Close the door and hold the keep on the frame where the chain reaches it comfortably. Mark the screw holes.
- Screw the keep to the frame with the fixings supplied.
- Test it: slide the chain into the keep and open the door. It should open a few inches and stop.
It's a 10-minute job with a cross-head screwdriver. Check the instructions in the pack, as fittings vary slightly.
Fitting a chain to a timber door
On a solid timber door, a traditional face-fixed chain works well. Screw the chain plate to the door and the keep to the frame, making sure the screws go into solid wood, not just the beading.
Our ZOO heavy duty door chain is solid brass, with a 200mm chain, in polished brass or chrome.
Using a door chain safely
- Only use it while you're in. A chain stops someone pushing in while you answer the door. It isn't a lock, so lock the door properly when you go out.
- Put it on before you open the door, not once someone's there.
- Check ID with the chain on. Genuine callers, such as meter readers and council staff, carry ID and won't mind waiting while you check.
- Make sure everyone can undo it quickly, so it never gets in the way if you need to get out in a hurry.
Other ways to see who's at the door
A chain works best alongside other security:
- A video doorbell lets you see and talk to whoever's there before you go near the door, even from your phone. The Yale Smart Video Doorbell has no monthly subscription.
- An anti-snap euro cylinder. The chain only works when you're in. When you're out, it's the lock that matters. If yours isn't TS007 3-star rated, it may be easy to snap. Our guide to measuring your euro cylinder takes two minutes.
- Letterbox security, if keys or the inside handle can be reached through the letterbox. See our guide to preventing letterbox burglary.
Got French or patio doors? A chain won't suit them. Use a patio door lock that clamps the two handles together instead.
Need help?
Send a photo of the inside of your door, showing the handle and frame, to info@homesecureshop.co.uk, or call us on 0151 521 8089. We'll tell you which chain will fit.
