What To Do To Determine If You're In The Right Position To Go After French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You want to lock your french doors securely. You can do this by choosing a lock system that will secure your door without obstructing airflow or affecting the aesthetic look of your room.
French door locks usually have three-point locking systems that includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and an opening lockset that can be opened. This system isn't easy to penetrate.
How do you fix a French door that isn't locking
If your doors won't lock or don't latch properly, it can be a major safety concern. It could be an indication of a bigger issue, such as a cracked or damaged locking cylinder. However, don't panic it is possible to resolve the issue in just a few simple steps.
A door that doesn't latch is usually because of an obstruction blocking it. It could be as simple as dirt getting stuck in the latch or the latch could be defective.
You can confirm whether this is the situation by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that is placed against the frame on the side of the door). If there is a tiny tab of metal protruding out from the strike plate, gently tap it with a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to drop into the door more easily.
A latch that is seized could be due to improper installation or poor alignment. Lubricating the latch will help it function better, but will not fix problems with alignment.
Installing a strike plate is straightforward in the event that you don't have one. The body of the lock (the part that screws into 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 to do this, but it's not a major task.
To make sure that the lock operates as efficiently as it can, it is a good practice to lubricate it frequently especially the cylinder. Use graphite or silicone lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder is moving freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt is better than the standard deadbolt when it comes to French doors. A simple handle twist lock will not be enough to keep intruders out and a standard deadbolt with an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door could be beaten by breaking the glass and reaching into the door.
How do you fix the problem of a French door that won't latch
The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not interacting properly with the hole in the strike plate. This is usually due to sagging hinges, but it could also be a problem with the location of the latch or the latch itself. To determine which causes the problem, apply a lipstick or similar marker to determine where the latch is in contact with the strike plate. The location of this mark will help determine the source of the issue - for example, if it contacts below the strike plate's hole, the hinges are the likely reason, however If it's above, the latch position may be the reason.
When installing handles or a new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the latch and strike plate hole locations are correctly aligned. This is especially the case in the event that one door was closed for a long period of time. In this period, the door may have moved slightly. This is especially common with wooden and composite doors since they are prone to expansion or contraction based on the weather or environment.
To correct this issue, first take the latch from the door's edge and unscrew the locking strip from the handle. With a chisel that is sharp, with a hammer, make a larger hole for the strike plate in the door frame. This will allow 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 latch hole is enlarged, place the new latch into the strike plate and screw it into. Then, re-adjust the strike plate using the screw and hammer until it is sitting in the correct position, and then check 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 obstructions or wear and tear, but it is usually easy to resolve. Often the lock is simply obstructed, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. A simple clean could make a world of difference to the operation of the mechanism, and it's definitely worth giving this a try. If the issue continues it might be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Open
If your French door isn't locking due to dirt or debris It is likely that the mechanism is obstructed. Verifying that the frame is clear and that there is nothing blocking the locking system is the first thing you need to do. There might also be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the door to slide over the frame, which can eventually lead to jamming.
The lock mechanism is simple. A key turns the spindle, which moves the bolt upwards and downwards on the rail. If the handle is moving but the bolt doesn't, then something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty, or it may just require lubrication. Use a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle that you can use to direct lubricant directly into the mechanisms. repair french doors repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk turn the handle to ensure that all parts of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated.
It is also possible to adjust where the latch is located on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from the outside. If you're French doors are new and brand new, you'll be in a position to screw the latch and handle into place without difficulty. If they're older then you'll 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. Then, drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly approximately 36 inches above the floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door for the latch.
Once the hole has been dug, you must ensure that the latch plate is placed over the strike plate of the door frame. If it doesn't, then the deadbolt may not retract into the strike plate when you press the lock lever. The latch plate will need to be screwed into place.
How do you fix a French door that won't close
Sometimes the latch on the latch on a French door gets stuck so it isn't able to close, making the doors ineffective. There's usually a fix for this however it may require removal of one of the doors, particularly in the case of heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the latch is not aligned properly with the strike plate, jamb on the door or both. The dead bolt may not be fully extended or retractable. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign over time, due to weather conditions, or due to the settlement of the house.
It is sometimes difficult to open a door that is stuck. To solve this issue 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 the lock mechanism and fix the problem.
If the latch does not fit into the hole of the strike plate, you can solve the issue by loosening the screw holding the strike plate, and using an electric or metal file to remove some of the edges until the latch fits. If necessary, you may also need to remove the strike plate in order to cut out the hole.
The locks on French doors can sometimes fail to latch properly. This could indicate a problem in the locking cylinder if you're using a more recent lock system. You'll need to take off the lock and examine it for visible obstructions or damage and, if it's functioning properly, you might need to replace it.
If you have an older door that has a draft entering, you can replace the old weatherstripping around the outside of the door. This will form a tight seal and prevent the doors from sagging. You can also add door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps that could be created are sealed. Install the sweeps on both the top and bottom of the door.