How Much Do French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Experts Make?

Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement

You want to lock your french doors with security. This can be accomplished by choosing a lock that keeps your door secure without blocking airflow or affecting the appearance of your home.

French door locks usually have a three-point locking system, which includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges each door panel and the door's lockset that can be opened. This lock is extremely hard to break.

Repairing a French Door That Won't Lock

It could be a major security risk in the event that your doors do not lock or latch correctly. This could also be an indication of a major issue such as a cracked locking cylinder. But don't despair you can solve the issue by following just a few steps.

The most common reason for the reason a door won't lock is due to an obstruction blocking the latch. It could be just as simple as dirt accumulating in the latch, or the latch may be defective.

You can check if this is the situation by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that is placed against the frame on the inside 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 could be the result of improper installation or an improper alignment. Lubricating the latch may help it to function better, but it will not solve the issue of how it aligns with the strike plate.

If you do not have a strike plate, it is easy to install 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 brand new one. You'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver and an electric drill for this, but it's not a difficult job.

To ensure that the lock functions as efficiently as it can it is a good practice to lubricate it frequently especially the cylinder. Utilize a lubricant made of graphite or silicone to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key, then rotate it several times slowly until the cylinder can move freely.

It's a good idea to invest in double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, instead of just a standard one. A simple handle twist lock won't be enough to stop intruders from entering, and a standard deadbolt fitted with a thumb-turn on the inside of the door can be beaten by breaking the glass and then reaching into the door.

Fixing a French Door That Won't Latches

The issue is usually caused by the door latch not properly engaging with the strike plate hole. It is often caused by sliding hinges. However, it could be caused by an issue with the latch position or the latch itself. You can use lipstick, or a similar marker, to identify which one is responsible. This mark will help identify the root of the problem. For example If the mark is below the strike plate then it's probably the hinges. If it's higher it could be the position of the latch.

It is important to ensure that the strike plate is aligned with the latch holes when installing handles or a lock mechanism on a French Door. This is especially important in the event that a door was closed for a long period of time. During this period the door may have moved a little. This is especially common with composite and timber doors, since they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather or the environment.

To fix this, first take the latch from the door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Utilizing a sharp chisel with a hammer, expand the strike plate hole within the door frame. This will allow the latch to be put in a better position for the door, and when the door is closed and opened, it will close easily without catching or rubbing on the frame.

Once the hole in the latch has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch into the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then adjust the strike plate using the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the right position. Test the door. Make any adjustments that are needed.

Another issue that is common to external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder isn't able to turn. This could be due to obstructions or wear and tear, but it's usually simple to fix. Most of the time, the lock is obstructed or the pins within the cylinder are worn. It's worth trying to see if a simple cleaning can make a difference. If the issue persists, it's often necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.

How to fix the problem of a French door that won't open

If your French doors won't lock the way you want, the issue is most likely due to dirt and debris obstructing the mechanism for locking. The first thing you need to do is check the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and nothing is blocking the locking mechanism. There could also be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the door to slide onto the frame and ultimately lead to jamming.

The mechanism for locking 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 does not, then something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty or it might need lubricating. Make use of a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle can be used to direct the lubricant directly into the mechanism. Spray liberally then turn the handle to make sure that all parts of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated.

You may also have to alter the position of the latch on the French door. This is a simple task and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If your French doors were just installed they should be able to put the latch and handle in place with no problem. If your French doors are older, you'll need to use the templates that comes with the lock kit to mark the locations where the holes for the handle on the door and latch on the frame need to be. Then,  french door lock repairs 'll need to drill the hole for the handle or knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from the floor) and then make a smaller hole along the door's edge to install the latch.

After drilling the hole it is important to check that the latch plate is properly placed over the strike plate that is on the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit properly the deadbolt won't retract into strike plate when you push the lock lever. Finally, you will have to screw the latch plate in the correct position.

How to fix a French Door that isn't closing

Sometimes, the latch on the latch on a French door can become stuck, and it can't be closed, rendering the doors effectively unusable. This is usually a straightforward issue to fix, however it could require the removal of one of the doors that are heavy. Most of the time, 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 extended or. The misalignment can happen over time, due to weather conditions or the shifting of the home.

If the latch is stuck, it may be difficult to open, however it's generally easy to solve the issue by loosening the screws holding the hinge to the frame, and then inserting shims to make the door a bit higher or lower. This will make the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and resolve the issue.

In the same way, if the latch isn't able to get into the strike plate hole in the door jamb typically, you can fix the issue by loosing a screw that holds the strike plate, and using a metal file or electric planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. It may also mean taking off the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger if necessary.

Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage properly. This could be a sign of an issue with the cylinder that locks if you're using a more recent lock system. You'll need to remove the lock and check it for obvious obstructions or damages and, if it's working properly you may require replacing it.

If you have an older door with a draft coming in, consider replacing the old weatherstripping around the exterior of the door. This will form a tight seal and prevent the doors from sticking. Door sweeps can be added to close any gaps. Install the sweeps on the top and bottom of the door.