5 French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Lessons From The Professionals
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When you lock your french doors, you need to ensure they're safe. This can be accomplished by selecting a lock that keeps your door safe without blocking airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your room.
French door locks are typically a three-point lock that includes flush bolts at the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and an operating door. This system isn't easy to break into.
How to fix a French door that isn't locking
It could be a major security risk when doors don't lock or latch properly. It could also be an indication of a serious problem such as a broken locking cylinder. Don't worry, you can usually resolve the issue in a few simple steps.
Most often, doors that don't close is because of an obstruction that is blocking the latch. It could be as simple as dirt getting stuck in the latch or the latch could be defective.
If you take a look at the strike plate, (the metal piece that is on the side of the doors that sits against frame) You can determine if it is true. If there is a small metal tab sticking out of the strike plate, tap it gently using a screwdriver, then hammer it to bend it slightly to open the hole in the plate and allow bolts can slide into the door more easily.
A seized latch could be the result of improper installation or poor alignment. Lubricating the latch may help it to function better, but it doesn't solve issues with how it aligns with the strike plate.
Installing the strike plate is easy if you don't already have one. The lock body (the part that screws in the door frame) will need to be removed from the door, and the lock assembly replaced. You'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill for this, but it is not a daunting task.
To make sure that the lock operates as efficiently as possible it is a good practice to regularly lubricate it especially the cylinder. Use graphite or silicone lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key and then turn it slowly several times until the cylinder moves freely.
It is recommended to get double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, instead of simply a standard deadbolt. A handle twist lock will not be enough to deter intruders as a standard door deadbolt that has a thumb turn can be defeated if you break the glass.
Fixing a French Door that won't latch
The problem is often caused by the latch of the door not connecting properly with the hole in the strike plate. It is often caused by the hinges being sagging. However, it could also be due to a problem with the position of the latch or the latch itself. You could use a marker, such as lipstick, or a similar marker to determine which is the culprit. The location of the mark will help identify the cause of the issue - for example, if it is below the strike plate's hole, hinges could be the probable cause, but if it is above then the latch's position could be the cause.
It is important to ensure that the strike plate is aligned with the latch holes when installing handles or the lock mechanism on the French Door. This is especially true when one door has been closed for a long period of time. During this period the door might be a bit shifted. This is particularly common with composite and timber doors, since they are prone to expansion or contraction based on the weather or the environment.
To fix this issue, remove the lock latch at the edge of the active door and remove it from the handle. Using a sharp chisel, with a hammer, enlarge 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 easily without catching or rubbing on the frame.
After the hole for the latch has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it into. Then, adjust the strike plate with the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the right position. Test the door. Make any adjustments needed.
repair french doors on the external French doors won't turn. This can be caused by obstructions or wear and tear, however it's usually easy to fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins of the cylinder are worn. A simple clean could make a world of difference to the operation of the mechanism, and it's worth giving it a try. If the issue is not resolved, it is often required to replace the entire lock cylinder.
Fixing a French Door that won't open
If your French doors aren't locking the way you want, the issue is most likely due to debris and dirt blocking the lock mechanism. The first thing you should take is to ensure that the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and nothing is blocking the mechanism for locking. There could also be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the French door to move against the frame, which can result in jamming.
The mechanism of the lock is quite simple - the key rotates a spindle which then moves a bolt back-and-forth on a rail. If the handle moves but the bolt doesn't there is a problem, then something is not working. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty, or it may just need lubricating. Make use of a silicone spray. It comes with a nozzle that can be used to direct the lubricant directly into the mechanism. Spray liberally and turn the handle to ensure that the lubricant has gotten to all parts of the mechanism.
It is also possible to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. It is generally possible to do this from the outside. If your French doors are brand new they will be capable of screwing the latch and handle in place without any problem. If they're old then you'll need to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door as well as the latch on the frame of the door with a template included in the lock kit. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from the floor) and then make a smaller hole along the door's edge to install the latch.
Once the hole has been drilled, you need to ensure that the latch plate is correctly placed over the strike plate of the door frame. If it's not the deadbolt, it may not retract into the strike plate when you push the lever for locking. The latch plate will then have to be screwed in place.
How do fix a French door that isn't closing
Sometimes, the latch on a French door is stuck and it won't close, making the doors unusable. This is usually a straightforward issue to fix, however it may 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 could also be that the dead bolt isn't being extended or retracted completely. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign with time, due to weather, or from settlement of the house.
If the latch is stuck, it could be difficult to open, however it's generally easy to solve the issue by loosening the screws holding the hinge to the frame and then adding shims to make the door higher or lower. This will bring the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and will solve the problem.
If the latch isn't in position with the strike plate's hole on the jamb of the door typically, you can solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate, and using a metal file or electric planer to remove some of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. This might also require removing the strike plate and chiseling out the hole to make it bigger in the event that it is required.
The locks on French doors are often unable to engage properly. This could be a sign of an issue with the locking cylinder, especially if you have a more recent lock system. It is necessary to remove the lock and check it for obvious obstructions or damages, and if it's not working properly you may require replacing it.
If you have an older door that has a draught coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping that was used on the exterior of the door. This will create a secure seal and prevent the doors from sticking. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps that could be created are sealed. If you decide to do this, make sure that you place the sweeps on both sides of the door, and that they overlap at the bottom.