Replacing patio door lock - advice wanted

[Nozza]

Have just taken posession of my "new" house.

It has a sliding patio door. The door is secured with a handle which is pushed down, then at four positions on the door, bolts go into the frame. A key is then turned in a lock which prevents the handle from being lifted.

Pretty standard I would have thought.

I want to replace the lock. I believe the lock manufacturer is something like Siflo (?)

Are these locks easy to replace or is it a specialist job for a locksmith?

A friend is helping me replace the other locks tomorrow.

Advice, anecdotes and comment wanted.

Nozza

[Scabbydug]

It's easy enough to replace it yourself, the problem is identifying what you've got. Ideally a friendly local locksmith would have a look at it and order you one for you to DIY. If on the other hand all you want to do is change the lock cylinder just remove the cylinder (easy if you have a key), take it to a locksmith for a replacement.

[Nozza]

Ooh - replace the cylinder! What a grand thought. How is that done (generally) and why would having a key make it easier?

I like the sound of this as it seems to offer the cheapest and easiest solution!

Thanks Scabbydug

Noz

[Christian McArdle]

Because you need to have the lock half open to slide the cylinder out, normally. This requires a key (or some picks!)

Christian.