Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When you lock your french doors, you need to ensure that they're safe. You can accomplish this by selecting a lock system that will ensure your door is secure without obstructing airflow and affecting the appearance of your home.
French door locks are generally a three-point lock that has flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and a lockset on the operable door. This lockset is difficult to break into.
How do you fix the problem of a French door that isn't locking
If your doors aren't locking or latch properly, it could be a serious safety risk. This could be a sign of a major issue like a damaged locking cylinder. Don't worry you can fix the issue with just a few steps.
The most common reason for doors that don't lock is because there is an obstruction that is blocking the latch. This could be as simple as a small piece of dirt that has gotten stuck in the lock, or it could be a problem with the latch itself.
If you look at the strike plate, (the metal piece on the inside of the doors that is positioned against the frame), you can see whether it's true. If you notice a tiny metal stub sticking out from the strike plate gently tap it using a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to slide in more easily.
A latch that is stuck could be the result of improper installation or poor alignment. Lubricating the latch can make it to function better, but it doesn't solve problems with how it aligns with the strike plate.
Installing the strike plate is easy if you don't already have one. The lock body (the part that screws into the door frame) must be removed from the door, and the lock assembly replaced. This is a straightforward job that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill.
To make sure that the lock operates as efficiently as it can it is a good practice to lubricate it regularly especially the cylinder. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply replace french door Repair My Windows And Doors to the key, and then turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt can be more secure than a standard deadbolt when it pertains to French doors. A lock that is a twist on the handle is not enough to deter burglars, and the standard deadbolt for doors with a thumb-turn could be defeated if you break the glass.
Repairing a French Door that won't latch
The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not interacting correctly with the hole in the strike plate. It is often caused by sagging hinges. However, it can be due to an issue with the latch position or the latch itself. To help identify which one is the culprit you can use a lipstick or similar marker to determine where the latch makes contact with the strike plate hole. This mark will help you determine the source of the problem. For instance when the mark is below the strike plate it's most likely to be the hinges. If it's above it could be the position of the latch.
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 an extended period of time. During this period the door may be a bit shifted. This is most common for wooden or composite doors since they are prone to expansion or contraction in response to weather conditions and the conditions.
To correct this, first remove the lock latch from the active door's edge, then remove the locking strip from the handle. Utilizing a sharp chisel with a hammer, expand the strike plate hole within the door frame. This allows you to place the latch in a more suitable position for the door. When the door is shut, it will shut without catching the frame.
After the latch hole is expanded, insert the new latch inside the strike plate and screw it in. Then, adjust the strike plate using the hammer and screw until it is sitting in the correct position, and then test the door. Make any adjustments as required.
Another issue with external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder doesn't turn. This can be due to debris or wear and tear. However, it's usually a simple fix. The lock could be blocked or the pins of the cylinder are worn. It's worth a try to see if a simple clean can make a difference. If the issue persists, it's usually necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.
How to fix a French Door that isn't opening
If your French door doesn't lock because of dirt or debris, it is likely that the lock mechanism is obstructed. Verifying that the frame is clear and that there's nothing blocking the locking system is the first thing to do. There might also be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the door to slide onto the frame and ultimately lead to jamming.
The lock mechanism is simple. A key turns a spindle, which then moves a bolt up and down on the rail. If the handle is turning but the bolt does not move this could mean that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty, or it may just need lubricating. Try using the silicone spray. It will come with a pipe that you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanisms of the lock. Spray liberally and turn the handle to ensure the lubricant is reaching all the parts of the mechanism.
You might also need to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. This is easy to do and is usually done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors are just installed and you are able to put the latch and handle in place with no problem. If they're older you'll need to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door as well as the latch on the frame of the door with a template provided with the lock kit. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then make a smaller hole along the edge of the door to install the latch.
Once the hole is dug, you must ensure that the latch plate is correctly placed over the strike plate of the door frame. If it's not, then the deadbolt may not retract into the strike plate when you press the lever for locking. Finally, you will need to screw the latch plate into place.
How to fix an French door that won't close
The latch on the latch of a French Door can get stuck and can't be closed. This renders the doors inoperable. There's usually a solution, but it can involve taking down one of the doors, especially when they're heavy. In most cases, the latch is not aligned properly with the strike plate, the jamb of the door, or both. It could also be that the dead bolt isn't extended or fully retracted. Misalignment happens with time, due to weather conditions, or due to the settling of the house.
If the latch is stuck, it may be difficult to open, however it's generally easy to fix the problem by loosening the screws holding 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 lock mechanism and fix the problem.
If the latch isn't in position with the strike plate's hole on the jamb of the door typically, you can fix it by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate and using a metal file or electric planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. If you need to, you might have to take off the strike plate in order to chisel out the hole.
Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage properly. If you have a more recent lock, this could indicate an issue with the cylinder that locks. If the lock is not working properly, you'll have take it off and examine for any visible damage.
If you have an older door that has a draft entering, you can replace the old weatherstripping around the outside of the doors. This will create a tight seal and stop the doors from sagging. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all of the possible gaps are closed. Install the sweeps on both the top and bottom of the door.