15 Shocking Facts About French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You Didn't Know
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When you lock your french doors, you need to ensure that they're secure. This can be achieved by selecting the right lock that will keep your door secure without blocking airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your room.
French door locks are typically a three-point lock that has flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and a lockset on the operable door. This lock is extremely hard to break.
How do you fix a French door that isn't locking
If your doors won't lock or don't latch properly, it could be a serious safety risk. It could be an indication of a more serious problem, such as a cracked or broken locking cylinder. However, don't panic you can solve the issue by following a few simple steps.
The most common reason for doors that don't close is because of an obstruction that blocks the latch. This can be something like a small piece of dirt stuck in the lock or it could be a problem with the latch itself.
You can determine if this is the situation by looking at the strike plate (the metal piece that sits against the frame on the side of the door). If there is a tiny metal stub sticking out from the strike plate gently tap it using a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to drop in more easily.
A latch that is seized can be caused by incorrect installation or an improper alignment. Lubricating the latch may help it work better, but it doesn't solve the issue of how it aligns with the strike plate.
Installing the strike plate is easy in case you don't have one. It is necessary to remove the body of the lock from the door (the part that screws into the door frame) and replace the entire lock assembly with a new one. You'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver and an electric drill for this, but it is not a major task.
It is a good idea to ensure that the lock is lubricated especially the cylinder frequently to ensure it functions as efficiently as possible. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant to the key and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely.
It's a good idea to purchase double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, rather than just a standard one. A simple twist lock on the handle will not be enough to keep intruders out and a standard deadbolt fitted with an inside-facing 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
Often the issue is caused by the door latch not engaging with the strike plate hole. This is usually caused by sagging hinges however it could be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. To help determine which is the cause, use a lipstick or similar marker to pinpoint the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate hole. This mark will help determine the source of the problem. For example If the mark is below the strike plate, then it's probably the hinges. If it's above, then it could be the position of the latch.
When installing handles or the new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the latch and strike plate holes are properly aligned. This is especially true if one door has been closed for a long amount of time. During this period the door might be a bit shifted. This is most common for timber or composite doors because they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather and the environment.
To fix this, take off the latch at the edge of the active door and unscrew it from the handle. Using a sharp chisel, the hammer and a chisel make a larger hole for the strike plate in the door frame. This will permit the latch to be put in a better location for the door and when the door is closed and opened, it will close easily without rubbing or catching the frame.
After the latch hole is increased, insert the new latch inside the strike plate and screw it in. Then, re-adjust the strike plate using the screw and hammer until it is in a more suitable position, and then test the door. Make any adjustments that are needed.
french door lock replacement Repair My Windows And Doors on external French Doors will not turn. This could be due to dirt or wear and tear, however it is usually easy to resolve. Often the lock is simply blocked, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. It's worth trying to see if a quick clean will make a difference. If the issue is not resolved, it is often required to replace the entire lock cylinder.
How to fix a French Door That Won't Open
If your French door isn't locking due to dirt or other debris it's likely that the lock mechanism is obstructed. The first thing you need to do is check the frame of the door is free of obstructions and nothing is blocking the mechanism for locking. It is possible that the French frame of the door and the French door are not aligned properly. This could cause the door to drag onto the frame and ultimately cause jamming.
The lock mechanism is straightforward. A key rotates the spindle, which moves the bolt upwards and downwards on the rail. If the handle moves, but the bolt does not there is a problem, then something is not working. It could be that the lock's mechanics are not working properly, or it may just require lubrication. Try using a silicone spray - it comes with a pipe that you can use to channel the lubricant into the mechanisms of the lock. Spray generously, then turn the handle to ensure that all components of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated.
It is also possible to alter the position of the latch on the French door. It is generally possible to do this from outside. If you're French doors have just been installed, you should be able fix the latch and handle in place with no problem. If they're old, you will need to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the door frame using a template provided with the lock kit. Drill the hole for the handle or knob at the proper height. This is usually about 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill smaller holes on the outside of the door for the latch.
After the hole has been drilled, you need to ensure that the latch plate is positioned over the strike plate of the door frame. If this doesn't fit the deadbolt, it may not retract into the strike plate when you pull the lever for locking. Finally, you will need to screw the latch plate into place.
Repairing a French Door that isn't closing
The latch on a French Door may become stuck and can't be closed. This can render the doors unusable. This is usually a straightforward issue to fix, but it may require the removal of one of the heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the latch is not aligned properly with the strike plate, jamb on the door or both. It could also be that the dead bolt isn't being extended or retracted completely. The misalignment can happen in time, as a result of weather, or from settling of the house.
It is sometimes difficult to open the door if it is stuck. To fix this, loosen the screws holding the hinge to the frame, and then, add shims that allow the door to be raised or reduced. This will get the latch closer to the lock mechanism and resolve the problem.
If the latch isn't able to fit into the hole of the strike plate, you can repair it by loosening the screw holding the strike plate and using a metal planer or electric file to remove some of the edges until the latch fits. If you need to, you might also have to remove the strike plate to cut out the hole.
Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage correctly. If you have a more recent lock, this could indicate an issue with the locking cylinder itself. You'll need to take off the lock and inspect it for obvious obstructions or damages, and if it's not functioning properly, you may need to replace it.
If you have an older door with a draft coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping that was used on the outside of the door. This will create a secure seal and stop the doors from catching. You can also install door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps you might encounter are sealed. Install the sweeps on the top and bottom of the door.