Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You want to lock your french doors with security. You can do this by selecting a lock that will ensure your door is secure without obstructing airflow and affecting the appearance of your home.
French door locks typically come with three-point locking that includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges each door panel and an opening lockset that can be opened. This lockset can be difficult to penetrate.
How do you fix an French door that won't lock
If your doors don't lock or don't latch properly, it could be a major safety concern. It could also be an indication of a major issue such as a cracked locking cylinder. But don't worry, the issue can be solved by following a few simple steps.
A door that won't latch is usually due to obstructions that block it. It could be as simple as dirt stuck in the latch, or the latch may be defective.
You can determine if this is the case 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 tab protruding from the strike plate, tap it gently using a screwdriver, then hammer to bend it slightly, this will open the hole in the plate and allow bolts can be dropped into the door more easily.
A latch that is stuck could be the result of improper installation or an improper alignment. Lubricating the latch will help it to work better, but it won't solve alignment issues.
Installing a strike plate is straightforward in case you don't have one. It is necessary to remove the body of the lock from the door (the part that attaches to the frame of the door) and then replace the whole lock with a new one. 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 regularly lubricate it, particularly the cylinder. Use graphite or silicone lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant to the key and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely.
It is recommended to invest in double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, rather than just a standard one. A handle twist lock is not enough to stop intruders as a door deadbolt with a thumb-turn could be destroyed if you smash the glass.
Repairing a French Door that won't latch
The issue is usually caused by the latch of the door not engaging properly with the hole in the strike plate. It is often caused by sagging hinges. However, it could be caused by an issue with the position of the latch or the latch itself. To help determine which of these is the culprit you can apply a lipstick or similar marker to determine where the latch makes contact with the strike plate. The location of this mark will help understand where the problem is For instance, if it is below the strike plate hole, then hinges are likely to be the reason, however if it is above then the latch's position could be the cause.
It is crucial to ensure that the strike plate is aligned with the latch holes when installing handles or a lock mechanism on the French Door. This is especially true if one door has been closed for a long amount of time. During this time, the door may be a little shifted. This is especially common with timber or composite doors because they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather and the environment.
To fix this, take off the latch on the edge of the active door and unscrew it from the handle. Utilizing a sharp chisel with a hammer, enlarge strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow you to place the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is shut, it will close without catching on the frame.
Once the hole for the latch has been increased, insert the new latch on the strike plate and screw it in. Then, re-adjust the strike plate with the screw and hammer until it is in a more appropriate position, and then check the door. Make any necessary adjustments.
Another common problem with external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder isn't able to turn. This could be due to wear and tear or debris. However, it is usually an easy fix. The lock may be blocked or the pins of the cylinder are worn. It's worth a shot to see if a quick clean can help. If the issue continues it might be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Open
If your French doors do not lock the way you want, the issue is most likely caused by dirt and debris blocking the lock mechanism. The first thing to take is to ensure that the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and that nothing is blocking the locking mechanism. It is possible that the French frame of the door and the French door are not aligned properly. This can cause the French door to drag against the frame, resulting in jamming.
The lock mechanism is straightforward. A key turns the spindle, and then moves a bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle spins but the bolt does not move it means that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics aren't working, or it may just need lubricating. Try using a silicone spray. It comes with a pipe you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanism of the lock. Spray generously and then turn the handle until the lubricant is reaching all parts of the mechanism.
It is also possible to change the position of the latch on the French door. It is usually possible to do this from outside. If you're French doors have just been installed, you should be able screw the latch and handle in the right position without any difficulty. If your French doors are older, you will have to use the template 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, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the proper height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door for the latch.
Once the hole has been dug, you must ensure that the latch plate is set over the strike plate of the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit correctly the deadbolt will not retract into the strike plate when you pull the lever to lock. Finally, you will have to screw the latch plate in the correct position.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Close
The latch on the latch of a French Door may become stuck and can't be closed. This renders the doors unusable. This is usually a simple problem to resolve, but it may require the removal of one of the heavy doors. In most cases the problem is that the latch is not aligned either with the strike plate or with the jamb on the door, or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't fully extended or fully retracted. Misalignment happens over time, due to weather, or from settlement of the house.
If the latch is stuck, it could be difficult to open, but it's generally simple to fix the issue 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 make the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and resolve the issue.
If the latch doesn't fit into the strike plate hole you can repair it by loosening the screw holding the strike plate and using an electric or metal file to cut off some of the edge until the latch fits. If you need to, you might have to take off the strike plate to make the hole.
french door replacement repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk with French doors is that the locks do not engage correctly. If you have a more recent lock it could be an indicator of an issue with the locking cylinder itself. If the lock is not functioning properly, you'll need remove it and look for any visible damage.
If you have an older door that has a draft coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping on the exterior of the door. This will give a secure seal and prevent the doors from sticking or locking incorrectly. Door sweeps can be added to close any gaps. If you do this, make sure that you place the sweeps on both sides of the door, and that the sweeps overlap at the bottom.