The Front Door Lock Barrel Replacement Success Story You'll Never Remember
Front Door Lock Barrel Replacement
Front door lock barrel replacement is a relatively simple DIY job that will reduce the cost of calling out a locksmith. You can buy kits that include all the tools needed.
You'll need to buy an entirely new barrel for cylinder-lock and a screwdriver set that is reliable, a hammer or pliers, for extra grip and the lubricant.
Length
There are a variety of lock barrel options to choose from to ensure that your front door is secure. When you are choosing the right type of lock the length could be crucial to the security of your home. Cylinders that protrude too far can snap, and those that are too short could hinder you from turning the key to unlock the door. There are several ways to determine the length of a cylinder to ensure that you purchase a replacement cylinder that offers the best protection for your door.
To determine the proper size of the cylinder, remove the old one from the door. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the lock cylinder. After the cylinder has been removed you can determine the distance between the centre of the screw hole in the cylinder to the edge of the backplate for the handle on the inside of the door. Include the thickness of the plate as well. You can also determine the length of the threaded shaft that is on the new cylinder to determine its size.
After determining the length of the cylinder, you can install it inside your door. Begin by drilling a hole into the door. This is the hole in which the handle will go. It should be a little larger than the diameter of the new cylinder. Attach the knob inside or handle to the handle you are replacing. Make sure that it fits through the spindle of the latch and turns smoothly.
When replacing a deadbolt you should also upgrade your strike plate. The strike plate is the metal piece that attaches to the doorjamb and locks into the bolt once it's forced in by a key. The plate should be replaced with a more secure version. Look for a strikeplate with a reinforced metal construction to protect against kick attacks. Use screws that are 2.5-3 inches in length to ensure they're able to penetrate deeply into the door jamb.
Design
The lock cylinder is the component of your front door lock that you use to open and close the handle. It is equipped with pins that move into place when you insert the key. It is important to be aware of certain things when it comes to selecting the appropriate lock cylinder. It is crucial, for instance, to measure the length the cylinder locks you currently have so that you can purchase the correct size. You'll also need to take into account any door furniture, such as handles or escutcheons.
Euro Cylinder locks are available in a variety of styles. Certain double cylinder locks provide security on both sides of the doors. They're often fitted to doors that require greater security than standard ones and are also used in commercial buildings. If you're looking to purchase a new lock, check that it's British Standards approved and meets the following criteria:
Anti-Snap: A burglar may attempt to break the lock by applying force on the outside of the doors. To prevent this, an sacrificial strip of thinness is cut into the cylinder.
Anti-Drill - Some burglars attempt to drill holes into locks and break into homes. To prevent this from happening, a cylinder should have pins made of steel that has been hardened.
If you're looking for a new cylinder, you should also consider whether it's anti-drill. This will stop a burglar from tearing the plug off by drilling into it with the power tool.
If you've decided to purchase a new cylinder lock, you'll have to gather the required components to put it in. This includes a screwdriver suitable for the job, and pliers and a hammer for added grip. It's recommended to have lubricant on hand to ensure the mechanism is working smoothly. Before you begin, remember that changing a lock barrel on the uPVC door isn't easy. If you're not confident in doing it yourself, you should call a locksmith or specialist to get help.
Keyway
The keyway on a lock is the shape of the cylinder's interface and the key. The key has a set of ridges and grooves which extend along the length of its "blade", and when inserted, these align with the cutouts on the cylinder's pins. This is how the cylinder detects the correct key, and allows it to turn.
Each lock brand has a unique keyway that allows it be locked or unlocked with a specific type of key. There are a variety of keyway sizes and shapes within a single brand. This provides a level security between locks because keys from the same brand cannot be used to open the other's.
In most residential settings the latch is operated by a lever that can be lifted or pushed to let loose the bolt. This is usually more comfortable than turning a knob which requires you to turn it. Some commercial settings still use knobs for security.
When the key is correctly inserted, a spring-loaded set of pins shifts into position so that the plug can rotate. The pins align with grooves on the blade of the key which allows the lock to recognize the correct key. If the cylinder has been manipulated in a way that is not correct, or if a key is not a proper fit the pins will shift to the control line rather than the operating shear line and the lock will be unable to open.
In this situation it is likely the key has been re-keyed. This involves raising the pins to the right height to allow the key to rotate freely within the cylinder. This is common in dormitories where the key for a single person might require a move between multiple locks. It is not uncommon for people to have their locks re-keyed as they move houses, or to grant access to an employee or roommate without needing to change all locks to the same key. This is a reasonable option to improve security for a home and is usually done with just the key cylinder.
Installation
It is easy to change a lock barrel in a uPVC door. The first thing to do is find the screw that is under the lock on the edge of the uPVC door. It is likely to be noticeable because it is an unusual colour. Then, remove it with a Phillips screwdriver. Then, you can insert the new barrel into the previous slot. Then, place replace upvc door lock mechanism repairmywindowsanddoors that was previously used with the new barrel and push rod back in place. It is essential to confirm the position of each component (the barrel as well as the push rod and spring / lever housing) before you begin reassembling.
Once the knob and handle are removed, you are able to access the lock body by loosening the set screw that holds it in place with the help of a screwdriver. After this is done, the cylinder can be turned counterclockwise to remove it. At this point, you can keep the cylinder in place and get your locks "re-keyed", or remove it. A re-key will not change the pins inside the cylinder, it will simply shift them to the key that matches it.
The other option is simply to remove the cylinder and then install a new. If you decide to go this route it is crucial to make use of the same cylinder as the one you had previously and that the pins be properly positioned. This will ensure that your lock is working properly. It is also recommended to apply lubricant on the new cylinder following installation to ensure that everything is moving smoothly.
The process can be a little more complicated if you're using mortise sets. This kind of lock is set inside pockets (mortise) that is cut into the side of the door. It will require some careful measurement and perhaps a few attempts to get the latch and bolt sections to be aligned. Once the latch and bolt sections are lined up then you can take off the strike plate that is secured on the top and bottom of the door frame using screws.