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What A Weekly French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Project Can Change Your Life
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement

You'll want to lock your french doors with security. This can be accomplished by choosing a lock system that will secure your door without obstructing airflow or affecting the aesthetic look of your space.

French door locks typically come with three-point locking that includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and an opening lockset that can be opened. This lockset is difficult to crack.

How to fix a French Door that isn't Locking

It could be a major security risk when doors don't latch or lock properly. It could also be an indication of a serious problem such as a cracked locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue can be fixed by following a few simple steps.

The most common reason for a door that won't lock is due to an obstruction that blocks the latch. This could be as simple as a piece of dirt that is stuck in the lock, or it could be an issue with the latch itself.

You can check whether this is the case by looking at the strike plate (the metal piece that rests against the frame on the side of the door). If you notice 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 seized latch is usually caused by poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch can help it to function better, but it doesn't solve issues with the way it lines up with the strike plate.

If you do not have a strike plate, it is easy to install one. You'll need to take the body of the lock from the door (the part that attaches to the frame of the door) and replace the entire lock assembly with a brand new one. This is an easy task that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill.

To make sure that the lock operates as efficiently as possible it is a great practice to lubricate it regularly especially the cylinder. Use a silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder moves freely.

A double-cylinder deadbolt is more secure than a standard deadbolt when it comes to French doors. A simple lock that twists the handle won't be enough to keep intruders out and a standard deadbolt that has an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door can be beaten by breaking the glass and gaining access into the door.

Fixing a French Door that won't latch

Most often, the issue is caused by the door latch not connecting to the strike plate hole. This is typically caused by sagging hinges but it could also be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. You could use a marker, such as lipstick, or another similar marker, to identify which one is responsible. The location of this mark will help understand where the problem is If, for instance, it makes contact below the strike plate hole, then hinges are likely to be the reason, however when it's above, the latch's position could be the cause.

When installing handles or a new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the latch and strike plate hole locations are correctly aligned. This is particularly true if a door has been closed for a long period of time. During www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk , the door may have moved a bit. This is most common for wooden or composite doors since they are prone to expand or contract depending on the weather and the conditions.

To correct this issue, first remove the lock latch from the door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Then using a sharp chisel and hammer, 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.

After the hole in the latch is enlarged, place the new latch into the strike plate and screw it into. Then, re-adjust the strike plate with the hammer and screw until it is in a more suitable position, and then test the door. Make any adjustments needed.


Another common problem with external French Doors is that the lock cylinder won't turn. This can be due damage or wear and tear. However, it is usually a simple fix. Most of the time, the lock is blocked or the pins within the cylinder are worn. It's worth trying to see if a quick cleaning can help. If the issue continues it might be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.

How to fix the problem of a French door that isn't opening

If your French doors do not lock the way you want them to, it's most likely due to dirt and debris obstructing the mechanism for locking. Verifying that the frame is clean and there is nothing blocking the locking mechanism is the first thing you need to do. There could be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the French door to drag against the frame, resulting in jamming.

The mechanism of the lock is pretty simple - the key turns a spindle that then moves a bolt back-and-forth on the rail. If the handle is turning but the bolt doesn't move it means that something is stuck. There could be a problem with the mechanics of the lock itself or it might just need lubricating. 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 and then rotate the handle to ensure the lubricant is reaching all of the mechanisms.

You may also have to alter the position of the latch on the French door. It is generally possible to do this from the outside. If you're French doors are new and brand new, you'll be able to screw the latch and handle in 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 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, you can drill smaller holes along the edge of the door to install the latch.

After drilling the hole It is crucial to ensure that the latch plate fits correctly over the strike plate on the door frame. If it doesn't the deadbolt, it may not retract into the strike plate when you press the lock lever. In the end, you'll have to screw the latch plate in the correct position.

How do you fix a French door that isn't closing

The latch on the latch of a French Door may become stuck and not close. This makes the doors inoperable. There's often a simple fix for this but it could require taking down one of the doors, in particular when they're heavy. In most cases the problem is that the latch is not aligned or with the strike plate, or with the door jamb or both. The dead bolt might not be fully extended or retractable. It is possible to have misalignment in the course of time due to weather or settlement.

It is sometimes difficult to open doors that are stuck. To resolve this issue you need to loosen the screws that hold the hinge to the frame and then, add shims so the door is raised or lowered. This will bring the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and will solve the problem.

In the same way, if the latch isn't able to get 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 a metal planer to cut away some of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. It may also mean taking off the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger should it be it is necessary.

The locks on French doors often fail to properly engage. This could indicate a problem in the locking cylinder if you have a more recent lock system. It is necessary to remove the lock and examine it for obvious damage or obstructions and if it's not functioning properly, you might require replacing it.

If you have an older door that has a draft coming in, try replacing the weatherstripping on the exterior of the door. This will create a secure seal and prevent the doors from sticking. You can also install door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps that could be created are sealed. Install the sweeps on both the top and bottom of the door.