How to Replace Door Locks

Your first line of defense is your door lock. It will stop unauthorized entry into your home. Locks may need to be replaced due to signs of wear and tear, or other situations such as moving into a new residence or a break-in.

To begin, determine your cylinder size by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the middle of the cylinder knob. This measurement will allow you to buy the lock that is right for you.

Deadbolt

Installing a deadbolt can be a ideal way to secure your door from intruders. The bolt extends into the strike plate that is on the doorframe when it is locked, making it much more difficult for burglars to gain entry into the door. A single cylinder deadbolt can be activated using keys on the exterior side and a thumb turn part on the inside. A deadbolt will only work when it is properly installed.

First, you'll need to determine if the door has a hole for deadbolts or needs to be bored out. Mark the location of the hole to install the deadbolt on the exterior of the door by using the template supplied with your lock installation set. Then, you can use your tape measure to determine how high the deadbolt should be. Then, mark the height on the side of the door. You can then use the speed square to draw straight lines across the mark you made for the bolt hole.

Then using the power drill, drill out the hole until it reaches the opposite side of the door. This may take a while. Sand the hole and the upvc replacement door locks edge to make it smooth. At this stage, it's a great idea also to stain or paint your door.

Remove any screws that are visible from the deadbolt. This will reveal both the front and rear assemblies of the deadbolt and its bolt inside. Then unscrew the old bolt and replace it with an alternative bolt that matches the door hardware. The bolt is usually connected to a setplate which you'll need to unbolt. Once this is done then you need to chisel out the area for the strike plate that is on the replacement door lock frame.

If your strike plate is not in alignment it could be because the previous installer did not mortise it properly, or an installation of a weatherstripping altered the strike's location. To fix this problem, you will need to remortise the strike plate and the deadbolt. Close and lock the deadbolt after you've completed this process. Be sure the bolt extends into the strike plate and then test the key to ensure it closes and opens easily.

Knob

If the knob on your door is damaged, it can make your home or business less secure. It may also make it harder to open or close the door, which is why it's recommended to replace lock in upvc door it. Replacing Patio Door lock a knob is a relatively simple DIY project that shouldn't take less than 30 minutes to complete. Make use of pliers or a screwdriver to take off any knobs or handles. Be careful not to harm the other components of the door.

Before you start you'll need to spray WD-40 or some other dry lubricant onto the mechanism of the knob on your door. This will help the new lock to move smoothly when you turn it. It is essential to choose the best knob and handle that match the doors you currently have to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If there's no match, you'll need to buy a replacement patio door lock doorknob and latch plate.

To begin the replacement door lock process, first examine the old knob or handle to see the screws that hold it in place. If there aren't screws then you can use the screwdriver to insert the cover plate in between the screws plate that is hidden.

After taking the knob off examine it for indications of damage and rust. You'll need to clean it up if there are any scratches or marks however you don't need to do anything if the knob is in good working order.

Install the new knob. Begin by examining the two new knobs to ensure you're choosing the right one for your door. You'll need to pick one with an extending rod that will interlock with the rod mechanism of the other knob. After you've placed the new knob into the hole, slide it into the latch.

Thread the latch plate screws downwards, then test the spring by pressing down on it several times. The latch should then spring back up every time. Install the second knob, and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread in the other long screws from the knob's interior through the hole for the cylinder on the doorknob on the outside and secure it.

Latch

A latch is a piece of metal that extends into the door jamb to keep it closed. The latch is operated by a handle or knob located inside the door, or by a thumb-turn on the outside. Deadbolts can be used to secure a latch and prevent intrusions from breaking through the glass of the door. It also provides protection from accidental or intentional closing of the door by pets or children. You can choose to install an entry point with either a single-cylinder deadbolt or double-cylinder deadbolt, depending on the level you prefer for security.

Installing a deadbolt is the same as installing a latch, but there are some differences. First, measure the setback of the doorjamb with an instrument to make sure that the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of doorjamb all the way to the center of hole for the latch plate. The standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a larger setback, you may have to purchase a more substantial latch from a hardware store or locksmith.

The next step is to drill an edge bore hole through the doorjamb to accommodate the latch plate. Use a chisel to chisel out the mortise for the latch making sure it's large enough for the faceplate of the new latch to sit in a flush position with the doorjamb. Place the strikeplate on the floor to ensure it's placed correctly.

If the strike is too high, you can push the door back or apply pressure using a tire iron or crowbar. This can cause the doorjamb to crack. This can be repaired by drilling a new hole in the doorjamb, then chiseling the core out of the hole that was previously made.

The last step is to mount the new strike plate, which can be accomplished by screwing it over the existing screw holes. Then apply wood putty to cover the screw holes that were previously used and the bolt hole that is not used. Once the putty has dried then sand it to an even finish.

Strike

An electric strike is the metallic piece where the latch and deadbolt engage when the door is closed. It is a vital part of the lock's overall security because it stops the door from opening and provides an additional barrier to force or kick. If a door is equipped with an electric strike, it can only be opened by a key or the control unit which controls the electrical impulses.

In the past, putting in an electronic strike required cutting off a part of a doorjamb, which would let the latchbolt of a cylindrical lock from the pocket inside the strike. This is not only undesirable, but also exposes the mechanism for the latchbolt and keeper to unauthorized users.

Recently, a variety of electric strike manufacturers have developed a "No Cut" type of strike that doesn't require a cutout in order to operate. These strikes utilize a special design to allow the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the strike pocket without damaging the faceplate of the doorjamb.

The strike has an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper when it receives an electrical signal from a controller or reader. The retracting of the keeper as well as latchbolt raises them on the ramp, locking the door. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains in retracted and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.

Installing an electric strike can be an easy task, especially if you are replacing the strike on a previous door. If you're upgrading an access control system to an electric strike, you must ensure that your new system is compatible. It is also necessary to make sure that the strike is connected to your access control system and is configured to function in a fail-safe way.

Upgrade your strike plates with heavy duty strike plates to prevent unauthorized entry. The plates utilize four to six screws of three inches instead of the two three-fourth inch screws that are typically used in standard strikes. These screws are longer, making it difficult for someone to break the frame and then reach inside to turn the thumb turn part of a single deadbolt cylinder.