See What French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Tricks The Celebs Are Using

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 ensure your door is secure without obstructing airflow or affecting the aesthetic look of your home.

French door locks typically come with a three-point locking system, which includes flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel as well as a lockset for the door that can be opened. This type of lock can be difficult to break into.

Fixing a upvc french door lock replacement Door that won't lock

If your doors won't lock or latch properly, it can be a serious safety risk. This could be an indication of a serious problem such as a broken locking cylinder. Don't worry it is possible to fix the issue with a few simple steps.

The reason a door won't latch is usually due to obstructions that block it. It could be as simple as dirt getting stuck in the latch, or the latch may be defective.

If you examine the strike plate, (the metal piece on the inside of the doors which rests against the frame) You can determine whether it's true. If you see a tiny metal tab protruding from the strike plate, tap it gently using a screwdriver and hammer it to bend it slightly and this will allow the hole to be opened in the plate so that bolts can slide in more easily.

A seized latch is usually due to poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it function better, but will not fix issues with alignment.

Installing a strike plate is straightforward in the event that you don't have one. It is necessary to remove 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. This is an easy task that requires a Phillips head screwdriver as well as a power drill.

To ensure that the lock functions effectively, it is a good practice to lubricate it frequently especially the cylinder. Use graphite or silicone lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant onto the key, then turn it several times, slowly until the cylinder moves freely.

It's recommended to get a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, rather than simply a standard deadbolt. A handle twist lock will not be enough to stop intruders as the standard deadbolt for doors with a thumb-turn could be defeated if you break the glass.

Fixing a French Door that isn't latching

Often the issue is caused by the door latch not properly connecting to the strike plate hole. This is usually due to sagging hinges, but it could be due to the position of the latch or the latch itself. To help determine which of these is the culprit you can use a lipstick or similar marker to see the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate hole. This mark will help you determine the source of the issue. For example when the mark is below the strike plate, then it's likely the hinges. If it's higher, then it could be the position of the latch.

It is essential to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or the lock mechanism on the French Door. This is especially important if a door has been closed for an extended period of time. In this period the door might have moved slightly. This is particularly common with wooden and composite doors because they are prone to contraction or expansion based on the weather or the environment.

To fix this, first remove the latch from the door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Then using a sharp chisel and hammer, increase the strike plate hole on the door frame. This will allow the latch to be placed in a more suitable position for the door and when the door is opened and closed it will close smoothly without rubbing or catching the frame.

Once the hole in the latch has been expanded, carefully place the new latch into the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, adjust the strike plate with the screw and hammer until it is sitting in a more appropriate position, then test the door. Make any adjustments as required.

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 dirt or wear and tear, but it's usually easy to resolve. The lock could be blocked or the pins of the cylinder are worn. It's worth a shot to see if a simple clean can help. If the issue is not resolved, it's usually necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.

Fixing a French Door that isn't opening

If your French doors do not lock the way you want them to, it's most likely caused by dirt and debris blocking the lock mechanism. The first thing you should do is check the frame of the door is free from obstructions and that there is nothing blocking the mechanism that locks. It is possible that the French frame of the door and the French door are not aligned properly. This could cause the door to sway on the frame and eventually lead to jamming.

The lock mechanism itself is fairly simple. The key rotates a spindle, which is then able to move a bolt back and forth on the rail. If the handle turns but the bolt doesn't move this could mean that something is stuck. There could be something wrong with the mechanics of the lock, or it could just need some lubrication. Use a silicone spray. It comes with a nozzle that you can use to direct the lubricant directly into the mechanism. Spray the spray liberally and then rotate the handle to ensure the lubricant has gotten to all the parts of the mechanism.

You might also need to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. This is simple to do and is typically done from the outside of the door. If your french door window pane replacement doors are brand new they will be able to screw the latch and handle into the right position without a problem. If your French doors are older, you'll need to use the template that comes with the lock kit to mark the location where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame must be. Drill the hole for the knob or handle at the appropriate height. This is usually about 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill a smaller hole around the edges of the door to install the latch.

After the hole has been drilled, it's 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 will not retract into strike plate when you pull the lever to lock. The latch plate will have to be screwed in place.

repairing french doors a French Door that won't close

The latch on the latch of a French Door may become stuck and not close. This can render the doors inoperable. There's usually a simple fix for this but it can involve taking down one of the doors, especially if they are heavy. The most common cause is that the latch is not aligned or with the strike plate or with the jamb on the door, or both. The dead bolt might not be fully extended or retractable. The misalignment can happen in time, as a result of weather conditions or the settling of the house.

It is sometimes difficult to open doors that are stuck. To solve this issue take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame and then put in shims so the door is raised or reduced. This will bring the latch closer to lock mechanism and solve the issue.

If the latch doesn't fit inside the strike plate hole you can repair it by loosening the screw holding the strike plate and using a metal planer or electric file to trim the edge until the latch fits. If necessary, you may have to take off the strike plate in order to chisel out the hole.

Another issue that is common to French doors is that the locks do not engage correctly. This could be a sign of a problem in the locking cylinder if you're using a more recent lock system. If the lock isn't functioning properly, you'll need remove it and look for obvious damage.

Replace the old weatherstripping on the exterior of an older door when you feel a draft coming in. This will create a secure seal, and prevent the doors from sticking. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps you might encounter are sealed. If you do this, make sure that you place the sweeps on both sides of the door, and that the sweeps overlap with each other at the bottom.