Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement

You'll want to secure your french doors with security. This can be achieved by choosing the right lock that will keep your door secure without restricting airflow or affecting the appearance of your home.

French door locks are generally a three-point lock system that has flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel and a lockset on the operable door. This lockset can be difficult to break into.

How to fix a French door that isn't locking

If your doors aren't locking or latch properly, it can be a major safety concern. This could be a sign of a major issue such as a cracked locking cylinder. However, don't panic you can resolve the issue in a few simple steps.

The majority of the time, the reason a door won't close is because of an obstruction that blocks the latch. This could be like a small piece of dirt that has gotten stuck in the lock or it could be an issue with the latch itself.

You can confirm whether this is the case by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that sits against the frame on the inside of the door). If you notice 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 drop into the door more easily.

A seized latch could be the result of improper installation or a poor alignment. Lubricating the latch can help it to function better, but it doesn't solve the issue of the way it lines up with the strike plate.

If you don't have a strikeplate it's simple to install one. It is necessary to remove the body of the lock from the door (the part that is screwed into the frame of the door) and replace the complete lock assembly with a new one. This is an easy task that requires a phillips-head screwdriver as well as a power drill.

It is recommended to lubricate the new lock particularly the cylinder frequently to ensure it functions as efficiently as possible. You can use silicone or graphite oil to do this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder is moving freely.

It's an excellent idea to invest in double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, rather than just a standard one. A lock that is a twist on the handle will not be enough to deter intruders, and a door deadbolt that has a thumb turn can be destroyed if you smash the replacement glass for french doors cost.

Fixing a French Door that isn't latching

The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not interacting properly with the hole of the strike plate. This is typically caused by sagging hinges however it can also be due to the position of the latch or the latch itself. To determine which of these is the culprit you can use a lipstick or similar marker to determine where the latch is in contact with the strike plate. The location of the mark will help idthe French door to drag against the frame, resulting in jamming.

The mechanism behind the lock is pretty simple - the key turns a spindle that then moves a bolt back and forth 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 could require lubrication. Try using a silicone spray - it comes with a pipe that you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanism of the lock. Spray generously then turn the handle to make sure that all components of the lock mechanism are well-lubricated.

You may also have to alter the position of the latch on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from outside. If you're upvc french door handle replacement doors were just installed they should be able to put the handle and latch in the right position without any difficulty. If they are old then you'll have to mark the locations of the holes for the handles on the door as well as the latch on the frame of the door using a template included in the lock kit. Drill the hole for the knob/handle at the correct height. It is typically about 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill a smaller hole on the outside of the doors for the latch.

Once the hole has been drilled, you need to make sure that the latch plate is set over the strike plate of the door frame. If this doesn't fit, then the deadbolt may not retract into the strike plate when you press the lock lever. Then, you'll need to screw the latch plate into place.

Fixing a French Door that isn't closing

Sometimes, the latch on the latch on a french door glass repair door is stuck and it isn't able to close, making the doors effectively unusable. This is usually a simple problem to resolve, but it could require the removal of one of the heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the latch is not aligned correctly with the strike plate, the jamb of the door or both. The dead bolt may not be fully extended or retracted. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign in time, as a result of weather conditions or the settling of the house.

If the latch is stuck, it may be difficult to open, however it's usually easy to solve the issue by loosening the screws that hold the hinge to the frame, and then inserting shims to make the door a bit higher or lower. This will make the latch closer to lock mechanism and fix the problem.

If the latch isn't able to fit inside the strike plate hole, you can fix it by loosening up the screw holding the strike plate, and then using a metal planer or electric file to remove some of the edges until the latch fits. If necessary, you may have to take off the strike plate in order to make the hole.

Another common issue with French doors is that locks don't engage correctly. This could be due to an issue with the locking cylinder, especially if you're using a more recent lock system. You'll need to take off the lock and examine it for visible obstructions or damage, and if it's not functioning properly, you may require replacing french doors with windows it.

If you have an older door that has a draught coming in, consider replacing the old weatherstripping around the exterior of the door. This will create a secure seal and stop the doors from sagging. You can also install door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps that could be created are sealed. If you choose to do this, be sure that you place the sweeps on both sides of the door, and that the sweeps overlap with each other at the bottom.