Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When it comes to locking your french doors, you need to make sure they're safe. This can be accomplished by choosing a lock that keeps your door secure without hindering airflow or altering the aesthetics of your room.
French door locks typically have three-point locking systems, which includes flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel as well as the door's lockset that can be opened. This lock is extremely difficult to break.
Fixing a French Door that won't lock
It could be a major safety risk when doors don't latch or lock properly. This could be a sign of a serious issue such as a broken locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue is fixable by following a few simple steps.
A door that won't latch is usually due to an obstruction that is blocking it. This can be something like a small piece of dirt stuck in the lock, or it could be an issue 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 inside of the door). If there is a small metal stub sticking out from the strike plate gently tap it with a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to drop in more easily.
A latch that is seized is typically caused by a poor alignment or improper installation. Lubricating the latch can make it work better, but it doesn't solve the issue of how it lines up with the strike plate.
Installing a strike plate is simple in case you don't have one. The body of the lock (the part that screws in the door frame) must be removed from the door, and the lock assembly replaced. This is an easy task that requires a phillips-head screwdriver as well as a power drill.
To ensure that the lock functions as efficiently as possible it is a good practice to regularly lubricate it, particularly the cylinder. Utilize a lubricant made of graphite or silicone for this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder is moving freely.
It's recommended to get double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, instead of simply a standard deadbolt. A simple twist lock on the handle will not be enough to keep intruders out, and a standard deadbolt that has an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door can be defeated by breaking the glass and reaching into the door.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Latches
The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not engaging properly with the hole in the strike plate. This is usually caused by sagging hinges however it can be due to the position of the latch or the latch itself. You could use a marker, such as lipstick, or a similar marker to determine the cause. This mark will help you identify the root of the issue. For instance when the mark is below the strike plate then it's probably the hinges. If it's higher, then it could be the position of the latch.
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 important if a door has been closed for a long period of time. In this period the door might be a little shifted. This is most common for composite or timber doors as they are prone to contraction or expansion in response to weather conditions and the surrounding.
To correct this issue, first remove the latch from the active door's edge, then remove the locking strip from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, increase the strike plate hole on the door frame. This allows you to place the latch in a more ideal position for the door. When the door is shut, it will close without catching on the frame.
Once the latch hole has been expanded, carefully place the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, re-adjust the strike plate with the hammer and screw until it is in a more appropriate position, then test the door. Make any necessary adjustments.
The lock cylinder of external French Doors will not turn. This can be due to wear and tear or debris. However, it is usually a simple fix. Often the lock is simply blocked, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. It's worth a try to see if a simple clean can result in a change. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
Repairing a French Door that isn't opening
If your French doors do not lock, the problem is most likely due to dirt and debris obstructing the mechanism for locking. Making sure that the frame is clear and that there is nothing obstructing the locking mechanism is the first thing to do. It is possible that the French frame of the door and the French door aren't aligned correctly. This could cause the door to slide onto the frame and ultimately cause jamming.
The lock mechanism is straightforward. A key rotates a spindle, which then moves a bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle is turning but the bolt does not move it means that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty or it might need lubricating. Use a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle that can be used to direct lubricant directly into the mechanisms. Spray generously and then turn the handle to ensure that the lubricant is reaching all parts of the mechanism.
You may also need to adjust where the latch is located on the French door. It is generally possible to do this from outside. If you're French doors are new and brand new, you'll be capable of screwing the latch and handle in the right position without a problem. If they are old then you'll be required to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the frame of the door using an outline provided by the lock kit. Drill the hole for the handle or knob at the proper height. It is typically about 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill smaller holes along the edge of the door for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled it is important to make sure that the latch plate is properly placed over the strike plate on the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit properly the deadbolt won't retract into strike plate when you pull the lever to lock. Then, you'll have to screw the latch plate into the correct position.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Close
Sometimes the latch on a French door is stuck and it isn't able to close, making the doors unusable. There's usually a solution to this, but it can involve removal of one of the doors, in particular when they're heavy. In most cases the latch isn't aligned correctly with the strike plate, jamb of the door or both. The dead bolt might not be fully extended or retracted. Misalignment happens over time, due to weather conditions, or due to the settling of the house.
If the latch is stuck, it can be difficult to open, but it's generally easy to fix the problem by loosening the screws that secure the hinge to the frame and then putting in some shims to make the door higher or lower. This will allow the latch to be closer to lock mechanism and resolve the issue.
If replace window with french doors cost uk isn't able to get into position with the strike plate hole on the door jamb typically, you can fix it by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate and using an electric or a metal planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. If necessary, you may have to take off the strike plate to make 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 cylinder that locks if you have a more recent lock system. If the lock is not working properly, you'll have remove it and look for obvious damage.
Replace the weatherstripping you have on the outside of a door that is older when you feel a draft coming in. This will provide a tight seal and will keep the doors from slipping or locking incorrectly. You can also install door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps that could be created are sealed. If you decide to do this, make sure that the sweeps are placed on both sides of the door and that the sweeps overlap at the bottom.