Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When it comes to locking your french doors, it is important to ensure that they're secure. This can be done by selecting the right lock that will keep your door safe without restricting airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your room.
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 lockset can be difficult to penetrate.
Fixing a French Door that won't lock
If your doors don't lock or latch correctly, it could be a serious safety risk. It could also be a sign of a larger issue like a cracked or broken locking cylinder. However, don't panic you can fix the issue with just a few steps.
The reason a door won't latch is usually because of an obstruction that is blocking it. This could be as simple as a piece of dirt that has gotten stuck in the lock, or it could be an issue with the latch itself.
You can determine if this is the case by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that sits against the frame on the side of the door). If there is a tiny tab of metal protruding out from the strike plate, gently tap it with a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to slide in more easily.
A latch that has become stuck is usually caused by a poor alignment or improper installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it work better, but won't fix alignment issues.
Installing the strike plate is easy if you don't already have one. It is necessary to remove the lock body from the door (the part that attaches to the frame of the door) and replace the complete lock assembly with a new one. You'll require a Phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill for this, but it's not a daunting task.
To ensure that the lock functions as efficiently as possible it is a good practice to regularly lubricate it especially the cylinder. You can use graphite or silicone-based lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant on the key, and then turn it several times until the cylinder moves freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt is better than the standard deadbolt when it comes to French doors. A lock that is a twist on the handle will not be enough to deter intruders and a standard door deadbolt that has a thumb turn can be destroyed if you smash the glass.
How to fix the problem of a French door that isn't latching
Most often, the issue is caused by the door latch not properly connecting to the strike plate hole. This is usually due to sagging hinges, however it can be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. To identify which one causes the problem, use lipstick or a similar marker to pinpoint where the latch is in contact with the strike plate. The location of the mark will help you to determine the source of the issue For instance, if it makes contact below the strike plate hole, then hinges could be the probable cause, but If it's above, the latch's position could be the reason.
When installing handles or an entirely new lock mechanism for an external French Door it's important that the strike plate and latch holes are properly aligned. This is particularly true in the event that a door was closed for an extended period of time. In this period the door could have moved slightly. This is especially common with wooden and composite doors because they are prone to expansion or contraction based on the weather or environment.
To fix this, take off the latch that locks at the edge of the door in use and then remove it from the handle. Using a sharp chisel, hammer and a chisel, make a larger hole for the strike plate in the door frame. This will allow the latch to be put in a more suitable position for the door, and when the door is shut and opened it will close smoothly without catching or rubbing on the frame.
After the hole for the latch has been expanded, carefully place the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it into. Then, adjust the strike plate with the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the right position. Test the door. Make any adjustments as required.
The lock cylinder of external French Doors won't turn. This could be due to debris or wear and tear. However, it's generally a simple fix. The lock may be blocked or the pins of the cylinder are worn. A simple clean can make a world of difference to the operation of the mechanism, so it's worth giving it the go-ahead. If the problem persists it's often required to replace the entire lock cylinder.
Repairing a French Door that isn't opening
If your French doors won't lock, the problem is most likely due to debris and dirt blocking the lock mechanism. The first thing you need to take is to ensure that the frame of the door is free of obstructions and that there is nothing blocking the mechanism that locks. There could also be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the door to drag on the frame and eventually lead to jamming.
The lock mechanism itself is quite simple - the key rotates a spindle, which is then able to move a bolt back and forth on a rail. If the handle moves, but the bolt does not there is a problem, then something is not working. There could be an issue with the mechanism of the lock itself, or it could just need some lubrication. Make use of a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle you can use to direct lubricant directly into the mechanisms. Spray liberally, then turn the handle to ensure that all components of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated.
french door repairs near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk may also need to adjust the location of the latch on the French door. This is easy to do and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If your French doors have just been installed, you should be able put the latch and handle in the door without difficulty. If your French doors are older, you will need to use the template that comes with the lock kit to mark where the holes for the handle on the door and latch on the frame must be. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly about 36 inches from the floor) and then make a smaller hole along the door's edge for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled, it's important to ensure that the latch plate is properly placed over the strike plate that is on the door frame. If this doesn't fit then the deadbolt might not retract into the strike plate when you pull the lever for locking. Then, you'll need to screw the latch plate in the correct position.
How do you fix the problem of a French door that won't close
Sometimes, the latch on the latch of a French door gets stuck so it won't close, making the doors ineffective. There's usually a fix for this however it may require removal of one of the doors, particularly in the case of heavy doors. In most cases the problem is that the latch isn't aligned or with the strike plate, or with the door jamb or both. It could also be that the dead bolt isn't fully extended or fully retracted. Misalignment happens over time, due to weather conditions, or due to the settling of the home.
It is sometimes difficult to open the door if it is stuck. To resolve this issue take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame, and then put in shims that allow the door to be raised or lowered. This will make the latch closer to lock mechanism and fix the problem.
Similarly, if the latch isn't getting into the strike plate hole on the jamb of the door, you can usually 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. This could also mean removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger in the event that it is required.
The locks on French doors can sometimes fail to properly engage. This could be due to an issue with the cylinder that locks if you have a more recent lock system. If the lock is not working properly, you'll have to remove it and check for obvious damage.
Replace the old weatherstripping on the outside of an older door if you notice a draft coming in. This will create a secure seal and prevent the doors from sagging. Door sweeps can be added to close any gaps. If you do this, make sure to install the sweeps on both sides of the door and that the sweeps overlap with each other at the bottom.