French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement 101: Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You want to lock your french doors with security. You can accomplish this by selecting a lock system that will ensure your door is secure without obstructing airflow and affecting the aesthetic look of your space.
French door locks usually have three-point locking, which includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and the door's lockset that can be opened. This lock is extremely hard to break.
How do you fix a French door that isn't locking
If your doors don't lock or don't latch properly, it can be a serious safety risk. It could also be a sign of a major issue such as a broken locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue can be solved with a few easy steps.
Most often, doors that don't lock is due to an obstruction that blocks the latch. This could be like a small piece of dirt that is stuck in the lock or it could be a problem with the latch itself.
You can confirm if this is the case by looking at the strike plate (the metal piece that sits against the frame on the inside of the door). If you see a tiny metal tab protruding from the strike plate, gently tap it using a screwdriver and hammer it to bend it slightly, this will allow the hole to be opened in the plate, allowing bolts can be dropped in more easily.
A latch that is seized could be the result of improper installation or an improper alignment. Lubricating the latch can help it function better, but won't fix alignment issues.
Installing a strike plate is simple if you don't already have one. You'll need to take the lock body from the door (the part that attaches to the frame of the door) and replace the complete lock assembly with a brand new one. This is an easy task that requires a phillips head screwdriver and power drill.
To make sure that the lock operates effectively, it is a good practice to lubricate it regularly, particularly the cylinder. RepairMyWindowsAndDoors can use graphite or silicone-based oil to do this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt can be more secure than the standard deadbolt when it pertains to French doors. A simple twist lock on the handle isn't enough to keep intruders out, and a standard deadbolt with an internal thumb-turn of the door can be defeated by breaking the glass and gaining access into the door.
Repairing a French Door that isn't latching
The issue is usually caused by the latch of the door not connecting properly with the hole in the strike plate. It is often caused by sliding hinges. However, it could be caused by an issue with the latch position or the latch itself. You could use a marker, such as lipstick, or a similar marker, to identify the cause. The location of this mark will help you to identify the cause of the issue For instance, if it makes contact below the strike plate hole then hinges are likely to be the reason, however if it is above then the position of the latch could be the cause.
It is important to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or the lock mechanism on a French Door. This is especially true in the event that a door was closed for an extended period of time. During this time the door could be a little shifted. This is particularly common with composite or timber doors as they are prone to expansion or contraction in response to weather conditions and the surrounding.
To fix this, remove the lock latch at the top of the door in use and then remove it from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, enlarge the strike plate hole in the door frame. This allows you to place the latch in a more ideal position for the door. When the door is closed, it will close without catching on the frame.
After the hole for the latch has been expanded, carefully place the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, re-adjust the strike plate with the hammer and screw until it is sitting in the correct position, and then check the door. Make any adjustments as required.
The lock cylinder of external French Doors will not turn. This could be due to debris or wear and tear. However, it's usually an easy fix. Often the lock is simply obstructed, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. It's worth trying to see if a simple cleaning can help. If the issue continues it might be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
How do fix a French door that won't let you open
If your French door isn't locking because of dirt or debris, it is likely that the mechanism is blocked. Making sure that the frame is free of debris and there is nothing obstructing the locking system is the first thing you need to do. There might also be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the French door to move against the frame, resulting in jamming.
The lock mechanism is simple. A key turns a spindle, which then moves the bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle moves, but the bolt doesn't there is a problem, then something is not working. There may be something wrong with the mechanics of the lock itself or it might just need lubricating. Try using a silicone spray. It will come with a pipe can be used to direct the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray generously and then rotate 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. This is a simple task and is usually done from the outside of the door. If your French doors are new, you will most likely be in a position to screw the latch and handle into place without any problem. If they're old, you will be required to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door as well as the latch on the frame of the door using an outline provided by the lock kit. The hole to install the knob or handle at the appropriate height. This is typically around 36 inches above the floor. Then, you can drill a smaller hole on the outside of the doors for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled, you need to make sure that the latch plate is set 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 lock lever. Then, you'll have to screw the latch plate into place.
Repairing a French Door that won't close
Sometimes the latch on the latch of a French door gets stuck so it isn't able to close, making the doors unusable. This is usually a simple issue to resolve, but it could require you to remove one of the heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch is not aligned either with the strike plate, or with the door jamb or both. It could also be that the dead bolt isn't fully extended or fully retracted. Misalignment can occur as time passes due to weather conditions or the settling.
It can be difficult to open a door that is stuck. To fix this take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame, and then, add shims so the door is raised or reduced. This will make the latch closer to lock mechanism and fix the problem.
In the same way, if the latch isn't able to get into position with the strike plate hole on the door jamb typically, you can solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate, and using an electric or metal planer to remove some of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. This could also mean removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger if required.
The locks on French doors often fail to latch properly. If you're using a newer lock system this could be an indicator of a problem with the locking cylinder. If the lock isn't functioning properly, you'll need remove it and look for any visible damage.
If you have an older door that has a draught entering, you can replace the weatherstripping that was used on the outside of the doors. This will provide a tight seal and help prevent the doors from sticking or locking incorrectly. Door sweeps can be used to close any gaps. Install the sweeps on the top and bottom of the door.