20 French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Websites Taking The Internet By Storm
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You want to lock your french doors securely. You can accomplish this by selecting a lock that will keep your door secure without obstructing airflow and affecting the aesthetic look of your space.
French door locks typically have three-point locking, which includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and an opening lockset that can be opened. This system is tough to break.
How do you fix a French door that isn't locking
If your doors won't lock or latch correctly, it could be a major safety issue. It could also be a sign of a larger issue, such as a cracked or damaged locking cylinder. Don't worry, the problem can be solved by following a few simple steps.
The majority of the time, doors that don't close is because of an obstruction blocking the latch. It could be as simple as dirt stuck in the latch, or the latch may be defective.
If you examine the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors that is positioned against the frame) It is possible to determine the truth. If there is a small metal tab protruding from the strike plate, gently tap it with a screwdriver and hammer to bend it slightly, this will open the hole in the plate and allow the bolt can drop into it more easily.
A seized latch can be caused by incorrect installation or a poor alignment. Lubricating the latch can help it to work better, but it won't solve alignment issues.
Installing a strike plate is straightforward in case you don't have one. The body of the lock (the part that screws into the door frame) must be removed from the door, and the lock assembly replaced. You'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill to do this, but it is not a daunting task.
To ensure that the lock works as efficiently as possible it is a great practice to lubricate it regularly especially the cylinder. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then turn it slowly several times until the cylinder is moving freely.
It is a good idea to get double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, instead of just a standard one. A lock that is a twist on the handle is not enough to deter intruders and the standard deadbolt for doors that has a thumb turn can be defeated if you break the glass.
How do you fix an French door that isn't latching
Often the issue is caused by the door latch not working with the strike plate hole. This is usually due to hinges that are sagging, however it can be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. To help identify which one causes the problem, apply a lipstick or similar marker to see where the latch is in contact with the strike plate. The position of the mark will help you to determine the source of the issue For instance, if it is below the strike plate's hole, hinges are likely to be the cause, but If it's above, the latch position may be the reason.
When installing handles or the new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the latch and strike plate holes are properly aligned. This is particularly important when one door has been closed for a prolonged period of time. During this time, the door may have moved slightly. This is most common for wooden and composite doors as they are susceptible to contraction or expansion based on the weather or the environment.
To fix this, take off the latch at the top of the door in use and unscrew it from the handle. Then using a sharp chisel and hammer, increase the strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow the latch to be placed in a better position for the door, and when the door is opened and closed it will close without catching or rubbing on the frame.
After the latch hole is expanded, insert the new latch into the strike plate and screw it into. Then, adjust the strike plate with the screw and hammer until it is in the correct position, then test the door. Make any adjustments as required.
Another issue that is common to external French Doors is that the lock cylinder won't turn. This could be due to debris or wear and tear. However, it's usually an easy fix. The lock could be blocked or the pins of the cylinder wear. It's worth a shot to see if a quick clean can help. If the problem persists it's usually necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.
Repairing a French Door That Won't Open
If your French doors aren't locking the way you want them to, it's most likely due to dirt and debris obstructing the lock mechanism. Checking that the door frame is clear and that there's nothing blocking the locking mechanism is the first thing to do. There could also be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the door to sway onto the frame and ultimately lead to jamming.
The lock mechanism is simple. A key rotates the spindle, and then moves the bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle moves but the bolt does not, then something is stuck. There may be a problem with the mechanics of the lock itself, or it could just need lubricating. Try using the silicone spray. It comes with a pipe you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanisms of the lock. Spray liberally and rotate the handle to ensure the lubricant has gotten to all parts of the mechanism.
It is also possible to adjust the location of the latch on the French door. This is simple to do and is usually done from the outside of the door. If your French doors are just installed, you should be able fix the handle and latch in the right position without any difficulty. If your French doors are older, you will need to use the templates included in the lock kit to mark the locations where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame need to be. Then, drill the hole for the handle/knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then make a smaller hole along the edge of the door for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled, you need to make sure that the latch plate is positioned over the strike plate of the door frame. If this doesn't fit then the deadbolt might not retract into the strike plate when you push the lever for locking. Then, you'll have to screw the latch plate in the correct position.
How to fix a French Door that isn't closing
Sometimes the latch on the latch of a French door gets stuck so it won't close, making the doors effectively unusable. This is usually a simple problem to fix, however it could require the removal of one of the doors that are heavy. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch isn't aligned either with the strike plate or with the jamb of the door or both. It might also be that the dead bolt isn't fully extended or retracted completely. Misalignment happens over time, due to weather conditions or the settlement of the house.
It is sometimes difficult to open a door that is stuck. To resolve replace french door repairmywindowsanddoors take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame, and then put in shims that allow the door to be raised or lower. This will make the latch closer to lock mechanism and resolve the issue.
If the latch isn't getting into the strike plate hole in the jamb of the door typically, you can solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate, and using an electric or a metal planer to remove some of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. This could also mean removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger if necessary.
Another common problem with French doors is that the locks do not engage correctly. This could be due to a problem in the cylinder that locks if you're using a more recent lock system. It is necessary to remove the lock and check it for visible damage or obstructions, and if it's not functioning properly, you might require replacing it.
If you have an older door that has a draft coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping on the outside of the doors. This will create a secure seal and prevent the doors from sagging. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps that could be created are sealed. Install the sweeps on top and bottom of the door.