How To Tell If You're Prepared For French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You'll want to secure your french doors securely. You can accomplish this by selecting a lock that will ensure your door is secure without blocking airflow or impacting the appearance of your home.
French door locks usually have a three-point locking system that includes flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and the door's lockset that can be opened. This lock is extremely hard to break.
Fixing a French Door that isn't Locking
It can be a serious safety issue in the event that your doors do not lock or latch correctly. It could be a sign of a more serious problem like a damaged or damaged locking cylinder. But don't worry, the issue can be solved by following a few simple steps.
A door that doesn't latch is usually because of obstructions that block it. It could be as simple as 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 case by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that rests against the frame on the inside of the door). If there is a small tab of metal protruding out from the strike plate, gently tap it using a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to drop into the door more easily.
A seized latch is usually caused by a poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch can make it work better, but it won't solve problems with how it lines up with the strike plate.
If you do not have a strike plate, it is easy to install one. The lock body (the part that screws in the door frame) will need to be removed from the door and the lock assembly replaced. This is an easy task that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill.
To ensure that the lock functions as efficiently as possible it is a great practice to lubricate it frequently especially the cylinder. Use graphite or silicone lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then turn it slowly several times until the cylinder can move freely.
It is a good idea to purchase a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, instead of simply a standard deadbolt. A simple handle twist lock won't be enough to stop intruders from entering, and a standard deadbolt with an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door could be defeated by breaking the glass and gaining access in through it.
Repairing a French Door that won't latch
Most often, the issue is caused by the door latch not connecting to the strike plate hole. It is often caused by sliding hinges. However, it could be due to a problem with the position of the latch or the latch itself. You can use lipstick, or a similar marker, to identify which is the culprit. This mark will help you determine the cause of the problem. For instance If the mark is below the strike plate then it's likely the hinges. If it's above it could be the position of the latch.
It is essential 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 particularly important if one door has been closed for a long amount of time. In this period the door might have moved slightly. This is particularly common with composite and timber doors, as they are susceptible to expansion or contraction based on the weather or environment.
To fix this, remove the latch at the top of the active door and then remove it from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, you can 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.
After the hole for the latch has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, re-adjust the strike plate with the hammer and screw until it is sitting in the correct position, then test the door. Make any adjustments you need to make.
Another common problem with external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder doesn't turn. This could be due to obstructions or wear and tear, however it's usually easy to fix. The lock may be blocked, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. It's worth a try to see if a simple clean will make a difference. If the issue persists, it is often necessary 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 is likely that the mechanism is blocked. The first thing you should take is to ensure that the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and nothing is blocking the mechanism for locking. It could be that the French frame of the door and the French door are not aligned correctly. This can cause the door to sway over the frame, which can eventually result in jamming.
The mechanism behind the lock is fairly simple. The key rotates a spindle which then moves a bolt back-and-forth on the rail. If replacement french doors but the bolt isn't moving this could mean that something is stuck. There could be a problem with the mechanics of the lock itself, or it may just require to be lubricated. Make use of a silicone spray. It comes with a nozzle you can use to spray lubricant directly into the mechanisms. Spray generously and then turn the handle to ensure that all components of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated.
It is also possible to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. This is a simple task and is usually done from the outside of the door. If your French doors are just installed and you are able to fix the latch and handle into the door without difficulty. If they're older then you'll have to mark the locations of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the door frame using an outline provided by the lock kit. The hole to install the knob/handle at the correct height. This is usually about 36 inches above the floor. Then, you can drill smaller holes along the edge of the door for the latch.
After the hole has been drilled It is crucial to ensure that the latch plate is positioned correctly over the strike plate that is on the door frame. If it's not then the deadbolt might not retract into the strike plate when you pull the lever to lock. In the end, you'll have to screw the latch plate into place.
Repairing a French Door that won't close
Sometimes the latch on a French door can become stuck, and it won't close, making the doors effectively unusable. There's usually a simple solution, but it can involve removal of one of the doors, especially when they're heavy. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch is not aligned either with the strike plate, or with the jamb of the door or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't extended or fully retracted. The misalignment could occur as time passes due to weather conditions or settlement.
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 so the door is raised or lower. This will get the latch closer to the lock mechanism and resolve the issue.
If the latch isn't able to fit inside the strike plate hole you can repair it by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate, and using an electric or metal file to remove some of the edge until the latch is able to fit. This could also mean removing the strike plate, and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger should it be necessary.
Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage properly. This could be a sign of a problem in the locking cylinder if you have a more recent lock system. If the lock isn't working properly, you'll have to remove it and check for any visible damage.
Replace the old weatherstripping on the exterior of a door when you feel a draft coming in. This will give a secure seal and prevent the doors from sticking or locking incorrectly. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps you might encounter are sealed. Install the sweeps on top and bottom of the door.