Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When it comes to locking your french doors, it is important to make sure they're secure. This can be accomplished by choosing the right lock that will keep your door safe without blocking airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your space.
French door locks typically 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 type of lock is difficult to crack.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Lock
If your doors won't lock or latch properly, it can be a major safety issue. It could be an indication of a larger issue, such as a cracked or damaged locking cylinder. But don't worry, the issue can be fixed with a few easy steps.
A door that won't latch is usually because of an obstruction blocking it. This could be as simple as a small piece of dirt that is stuck in the lock or it could be an issue with the latch itself.
If you take a look at the strike plate, (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors which rests against the frame) It is possible to determine whether it's true. If there is a small metal tab protruding from the strike plate gently tap it with a screwdriver until it bends it. This will allow the bolt to slide into the door more easily.
A latch that has become stuck is usually caused by poor alignment or installation. Lubricating the latch can make it to function better, but it won't solve issues with how it aligns with the strike plate.
If you don't have a strike plate 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 with a new one. This is an easy task that requires a Phillips head screwdriver and power drill.
To ensure that the lock works effectively it is a good practice to lubricate it regularly especially the cylinder. Utilize a lubricant made of graphite or silicone to do this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then turn it slowly several times until the cylinder can move freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt is more secure than the standard deadbolt when it is used on French doors. A simple lock that twists the handle will not be enough to keep intruders out and a standard deadbolt that has a thumb-turn on the inside of the door could be defeated by breaking the glass and reaching into the door.
Fixing a French Door that won't latch
The issue is usually caused by the door latch not properly engaging with the strike plate hole. This is usually caused by sagging hinges however it could also be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. To help determine which causes the problem, use a lipstick or similar marker to see the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate hole. The location of this mark will help you to understand where the problem is For instance, if it contacts below the strike plate hole then hinges are likely to be the reason, however If it's above, the latch's position could be the cause.
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 particularly important in the event that one door was closed for a prolonged period of time. During this period the door may be a bit shifted. This is most common for composite and timber doors, because they are prone to expansion or contraction based on the weather or environment.
To fix this, remove the lock latch on the edge of the door in use and remove it from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, you can increase the strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow you to put the latch in a more ideal position for the door. When the door is closed it will close without catching the frame.
Once the hole for the latch has been expanded, insert the new latch inside the strike plate and screw it into. Then, adjust the strike plate with the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the proper position. Test the door. Make any adjustments as required.
The lock cylinder on external French Doors won't turn. This could be caused by dirt or wear and tear, but it's usually easy to resolve. The lock may be blocked or the pins of the cylinder are worn. A simple clean could make a big difference to the functioning of the mechanism, and it's well worth giving this the go-ahead. If the issue persists it could be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
Repairing a French Door That Won't Open
If your French door won't lock because of dirt or debris it's likely that the mechanism is blocked. The first thing to take is to ensure that the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and nothing is blocking the locking mechanism. It could be that the French frame of the door and the French door aren't aligned properly. This can cause the door to sway over the frame, which can eventually result in jamming.
The mechanism of the lock is fairly simple. The key rotates a spindle which then moves a bolt back-and-forth on rail. If the handle moves, but the bolt does not it means that something is stuck. It could be something wrong with the mechanics of the lock itself, or it might just need some lubrication. Try using the silicone spray. It comes with a pipe which you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanism of the lock. Spray generously and then turn the handle to ensure the lubricant has reached all parts of the mechanism.
It is also possible to alter the position of the latch on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from outside. If your French doors are just installed, you should be able screw the latch and handle in place with no problem. If your French doors are older, you will need to use the templates that comes with the lock kit to mark where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame must be. The hole to install the handle or knob at the proper height. It is typically about 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill a smaller hole on the outside of the door for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled It is crucial to make sure that the latch plate is properly placed over the strike plate on the door frame. If it's not then the deadbolt might not retract into the strike plate when you press the lock lever. In the end, you'll need to screw the latch plate into the correct position.
How to 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 effectively unusable. This is usually a simple issue to fix, however it may require removal of one of the heavy doors. In repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is that the latch is misaligned or with the strike plate or with the door jamb or both. It might also be that the dead bolt isn't fully extended or retracted completely. Misalignment can occur as time passes due to weather or settlement.
It is sometimes difficult to open doors that are stuck. To fix this take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame, and then add some shims that allow the door to be raised or lower. This will make the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and resolve the issue.
If the latch doesn't fit inside the hole of the strike plate, you can solve the issue by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate, and using an electric or a metal file to trim the edges until the latch is able to fit. This might also require removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it larger should it be necessary.
Another common issue with French doors is that the locks don't engage properly. This could be a sign of a problem in the cylinder that locks if you have a more recent lock system. If the lock is not functioning properly, you'll need remove it and look for obvious damage.
If you have an older door that has a draft coming in, consider replacing the old weatherstripping around the exterior of the door. This will give a secure seal and keep the doors from slipping or locking improperly. Door sweeps can be added to fill in any gaps. If you choose to do this, be sure that the sweeps are placed on both sides of the door, and that the sweeps overlap at the bottom.