In Which Location To Research French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Online
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You want to lock your french doors with security. This can be done by choosing locks that keep your door secure without restricting airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your space.
French door locks are generally an all-point lock system that has flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and an operating door. This system is difficult to penetrate.
How to fix a French door that isn't locking
If your doors don't lock or don't latch correctly, it could be a major safety concern. It could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a cracked or broken locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue can be solved with just a few steps.
A door that won't latch is usually due to an obstruction that is blocking it. It could be as simple as dirt getting stuck in the latch or the latch could be defective.
You can check if this is the case by looking at the strike plate (the metal piece that is placed against the frame on the side of the door). If there is a tiny metal tab protruding 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 latch that is seized can be caused by incorrect installation or an improper alignment. Lubricating the latch may help it work better, but it will not solve issues with how it aligns with the strike plate.
If you do not have a strike plate it's easy to install one. The body of the lock (the part that screws in the door frame) will need to be removed from the door and the lock assembly replaced. This is a straightforward job that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and power drill.
To ensure that the lock works as efficiently as possible, it is a good practice to regularly lubricate it, particularly the cylinder. Use graphite or silicone lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt is better than the standard deadbolt when it is used on French doors. A lock that is a twist on the handle is not enough to stop intruders, and a door deadbolt that has a thumb turn can be ruined if you break the glass.
Repairing a French Door that isn't latching
The issue is usually caused by the door latch not working with the strike plate hole. It is often caused by sagging hinges. However, it could be due to an issue with the position of the latch or the latch itself. To help identify which one is the culprit you can use lipstick or a similar marker to determine the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate. This mark will help identify the root of the issue. For example If the mark is below the strike plate, then it's probably the hinges. If it's above it could be the position of the latch.
When installing handles or an entirely new lock mechanism for an external French Door it's important that the latch and strike plate holes are aligned correctly. This is especially the case if one door has been closed for a prolonged period of time. During this time the door might have moved a bit. This is most common for composite and timber doors, as they are susceptible to expansion or contraction depending on the weather conditions or the surrounding environment.
To correct this, first take the latch from the active door's edge, then remove the locking strip from the handle. Then, using repairing french doors and hammer, you can increase the strike plate hole in the door frame. This allows you to place the latch in a more ideal position for the door. When the door is closed, it will shut without catching the frame.
Once the hole in the latch has been enlarged, carefully insert the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it in. Next, re-adjust the strike plate using the screw and hammer until it is sitting in the correct position, and then test the door. Make any adjustments needed.
The lock cylinder on the external French Doors won't turn. This can be due debris or wear and tear. However, it is usually a simple fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins of the cylinder are worn. A simple cleaning can make a huge difference to the operation of the mechanism, and it's well worth giving this the go-ahead. If the issue continues it could be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
How do fix the problem of a French door that won't let you open
If your French doors won't lock, the problem is most likely caused by debris and dirt blocking the mechanism of the lock. Checking that the door frame is free of debris and there's nothing blocking the locking system is the first thing you need to do. It could be that the French frame of the door and the French door are not aligned correctly. This could cause the French door to slide against the frame, which can result in jamming.
The mechanism for locking is simple. A key rotates the spindle, and then moves the bolt upwards and downwards on a rail. If the handle turns but the bolt isn't moving this could mean that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty or it could require lubrication. Try using a silicone spray - it comes with a pipe you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanism of the lock. Spray liberally and then turn the handle to ensure that all components of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated.
You may also need to adjust the location of the latch on the French door. This is a simple task and is usually done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors are new, you will most likely be in a position to screw the latch and handle into place without any problem. If your French doors are older, you'll need to use the templates that comes with the lock kit to mark the location where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame must be. Then, drill the hole for the handle/knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door for the latch.
After the hole has been drilled, you need to ensure that the latch plate is correctly positioned over the strike plate of the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit correctly the deadbolt won't retract into the strike plate when you push the lock lever. The latch plate will have to be screwed in place.
How to fix an French door that won't close
Sometimes, the latch on a French door gets stuck so it won't close, making the doors effectively unusable. There's usually a solution to this, however it may require taking down one of the doors, in particular when they're heavy. In most cases the problem is that the latch is misaligned or with the strike plate or with the jamb on the door, or both. The dead bolt might not be fully extended or retracted. Misalignment can occur in the course of time because of weather or settlement.
If the latch is stuck, it can be difficult to open, however it's typically easy to solve the issue by loosening the screws that hold the hinge to the frame and then putting in some shims to make the door a bit higher or lower. This will make the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and resolve the issue.
Similarly, if the latch isn't getting into position with the strike plate hole in the jamb of the door, you can usually solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate and using an electric or metal planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. If necessary, you may also have to remove the strike plate to cut out the hole.
Another issue that is common to French doors is that locks don't engage properly. This could be due to a problem in the cylinder that locks if you have a more recent lock system. You'll need to remove the lock and examine it for obvious obstructions or damages and if it's not working properly you may need to replace it.
If you have an older door that has a draft coming in, try replacing the weatherstripping that was used on the outside of the doors. This will form a tight seal and prevent the doors from sagging. Door sweeps can be used to fill in any gaps. Install the sweeps on top and bottom of the door.