French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Tips From The Best In The Business
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You'll want to secure your french doors securely. You can accomplish this by choosing a lock system that will secure your door without obstructing airflow and affecting the appearance of your space.
French door locks are usually a three-point lock that has flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel and an operable door. This system is hard to break.
How to fix a French Door that isn't Locking
It could be a major safety issue in the event that your doors do not latch or lock properly. It could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a cracked or broken locking cylinder. Don't worry it is possible to solve the issue by following just a few steps.
A door that won't latch is usually because of an obstruction blocking it. It could be just as simple as dirt accumulating in the latch, or the latch may be defective.
If you look at the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors which rests against the frame), you can see whether it's true. If you see a tiny metal tab protruding from the strike plate, gently tap it using a screwdriver, then hammer to bend it slightly to make the hole in the plate and allow the bolt can drop into the door more easily.
A seized latch is usually caused by poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it to work better, but it won't solve problems with alignment.
Installing french door replacement is simple in the event that you don't have one. You'll need to take the lock body from the door (the part that screws into the door frame) and then replace the whole lock assembly with a new one. This is a simple job that requires a phillips head screwdriver and a power drill.
It is a good idea to lubricate the new lock particularly the cylinder regularly to ensure that it works as well as it can. Utilize a lubricant made of graphite or silicone to do 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, rather than just a standard one. A simple lock that twists the handle won't be enough to keep intruders out, and a standard deadbolt fitted with an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door can be beaten by breaking the glass and then reaching into the door.
Repairing a French Door that won't latch
Often the issue is caused by the door latch not properly connecting to the strike plate hole. This is typically caused by sagging hinges however it could also be a problem with the position of the latch or the latch itself. You can use lipstick, or a similar marker to determine which is the culprit. The position of the mark will help understand where the problem is If, for instance, it makes contact below the strike plate hole then hinges could be the probable cause, but if it is above then 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 aligned correctly. This is particularly true if a door has been closed for an extended period of time. In this time the door might have moved a little. This is most common for composite and timber doors, since they are prone to expansion or contraction based on the weather or environment.
To fix this, first take the latch from the door's edge and unscrew the locking strip from the handle. Utilizing a sharp chisel hammer and a chisel, expand the strike plate hole within the door frame. This will permit the latch to be put in a more suitable position for the door, and when the door is shut and opened it will close easily without rubbing or catching the frame.
Once the latch hole has been expanded, carefully place the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, adjust the strike plate using the hammer and screw until it is sitting in a more appropriate position, and then test the door. Make any adjustments you need to make.
Another issue that is common to external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder doesn't turn. This could be caused by debris or simply wear and tear, however it's usually easy to fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins within the cylinder are worn. A simple clean could make a world of difference in the performance of the mechanism, and it's definitely worth giving this a try. If the problem persists it might be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
How to fix the problem of a French door that won't let you open
If your French doors do not lock, the problem is most likely caused by dirt and debris blocking the lock mechanism. Making sure that the frame is clean and there's nothing blocking the locking system is the first thing to do. It is possible that the French door frame and French door aren't aligned correctly. This could cause the French door to drag against the frame, resulting in jamming.
The mechanism for locking is simple. A key turns the spindle, which moves the bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle moves but the bolt doesn't it means that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty or it might need lubricating. Use a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle that you can use to spray the lubricant directly to the mechanism. Spray liberally then turn the handle to make sure that all the parts of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated.
It is also possible to alter the position of the latch on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from outside. If your French doors were just installed and you are able to fix the latch and handle in the right position without any difficulty. If your French doors are older, you'll need to use the template that comes with the lock kit to mark where the holes for the handle on the door and latch on the frame must be. Make the hole for the knob/handle at the correct height. This is typically around 36 inches above the floor. Then, you can drill a smaller hole around the edges of the door to install the latch.
After the hole has been drilled it is important to ensure that the latch plate fits correctly over the strike plate on the door frame. If it doesn't the deadbolt, it may not retract into the strike plate when you push the lever for locking. Finally, you will have to screw the latch plate in place.
Repairing a French Door that won't close
The latch on the latch of a French Door can get stuck and won't close. This renders the doors unusable. There's often a simple solution to this, but it could require removal of one of the doors, particularly when they're heavy. Most of the time, the latch is not aligned properly with the strike plate, the jamb of the door, or both. It could also be that the dead bolt isn't extended or fully retracted. Misalignment can occur as time passes due to weather or settling.
It can be difficult to open the door if it is stuck. To solve this issue you need to loosen the screws that hold the hinge to the frame, and then add some shims so the door is raised or lower. This will make the latch closer to lock mechanism and solve the issue.
If the latch isn't able to get into the strike plate's hole on the door jamb it is usually possible to solve the issue by loosing the screw that is holding the strike plate and using an electric or a metal planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. This might also require removing the strike plate, and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger if it is necessary.
Another common issue with French doors is that locks don't engage properly. This could indicate a problem in the cylinder that locks if you have a more recent lock system. If the lock isn't working properly, you'll have remove it and look for visible damage.
If you have an older door with a draft coming in, consider replacing the old weatherstripping around the outside of the doors. This will form a tight seal and prevent the doors from sagging. You can also add door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps that could be created are sealed. Install the sweeps on top and bottom of the door.