Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement

When you lock your french doors, you want to ensure that they're secure. This can be accomplished by choosing a lock that keeps your door safe without restricting airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your space.

French door locks typically come with a three-point locking system, which includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel as well as a lockset for the door that can be opened. This lockset is very hard to break.

Repairing a French Door That Won't Lock

If your doors aren't locking or don't latch properly, it could be a major safety issue. It could be an indication of a bigger issue like a damaged or damaged locking cylinder. Don't worry, the problem can be fixed with a few easy steps.

The reason a door won't latch is usually due to an obstruction blocking it. This could be as simple as a piece of dirt stuck in the lock or it could be an issue with the latch itself.

You can determine whether this is the case by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that is placed against the frame on the inside of the door). If there is a small metal stub sticking out from the strike plate gently tap it with a screwdriver until it bends it. This will allow the bolt to drop in more easily.

A latch that has become stuck is usually caused by a poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch may help it work better, but it will not solve the issue of how it lines up with the strike plate.

If you don't have a strike plate it's easy to install one. The body of the lock (the part that screws into the door frame) will need to be removed from the door, and the lock assembly replaced. You will need a phillips-head screwdriver and an electric drill for this, but it is not a difficult job.

To ensure that the lock works effectively it is a good practice to regularly lubricate it especially the cylinder. Use graphite or silicone lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key and then turn it slowly several times until the cylinder is moving freely.

It's an excellent idea to purchase a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, rather than simply a standard deadbolt. A simple lock that twists the handle will not be enough to keep intruders out and a standard deadbolt that has an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door could be beaten by breaking the glass and then reaching into the door.

Fixing a replacement french door Door That Won't Latches

The issue is usually caused by the latch of the door not connecting properly with the hole of the strike plate. This is typically due to sagging hinges, however it could also be a problem with the position of the latch or the latch itself. To determine which of these causes the problem, use a lipstick or similar marker to determine where the latch is in contact with the strike plate hole. This mark will help determine the source of the problem. For instance when the mark is below the strike plate then it's probably the hinges. If it's higher, then it could be the latch position.

When installing handles or the 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 in the event that a door was closed for an extended period of time. During this time, the door may have moved a bit. This is especially common with doors made of timber and composite, because they are prone to expansion or contraction based on the weather or environment.

To correct this issue, first take the latch from the door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Then, using a sharp chisel and hammer, enlarge the strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow you to put the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is closed, it will close without catching the frame.

Once the latch hole has been expanded, carefully place the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, adjust the strike plate with the hammer and screw until it is sitting in a more suitable position, and then check the door. Make any adjustments that are needed.

The lock cylinder on the external French Doors won't turn. This could be caused by dirt or wear and tear, however it's usually easy to fix. The lock may be blocked or the pins within the cylinder are worn. It's worth a shot to see if a quick clean will help. If the problem persists it's often required to replace the entire lock cylinder.

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

If your French door doesn't lock due to dirt or debris, it is likely that the lock mechanism is obstructed. The first thing you need to take is to ensure that the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and nothing is blocking the mechanism that locks. It could be that the French frame of the door and the french door replacement door are not aligned properly. This could cause the French door to move against the frame, resulting in jamming.

The mechanism of the lock is pretty simple - the key turns a spindle that is then able to move a bolt back and forth on the rail. If the handle turns but the bolt isn't moving, this means that something is stuck. There could be an issue with the mechanism of the lock itself, or it could just need some lubrication. Try using a silicone spray - it comes with a pipe which can be used to direct the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray the spray liberally and then turn the handle until the lubricant is reaching all parts of the mechanism.

You might also need to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from the outside. If you're french door replacement doors are just installed they should be able to screw the handle and latch in the door without difficulty. If your French doors are older, you'll need to use the template that comes with the lock kit to mark the locations where the holes for the handle on the door and latch on the frame must be. Then drill the hole for the handle or knob at the proper height (commonly about 36 inches from the floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door to install the latch.

After the hole has been drilled, you need to ensure that the latch plate is correctly set over the strike plate of the door frame. If it's not the deadbolt, it may not retract into the strike plate when you push the lever for locking. Finally, you will need to screw the latch plate into the correct position.

How to fix a French door [empty] that isn't closing

Sometimes, the latch on a French door can become stuck, and it won't close, making the doors effectively unusable. This is usually a simple problem to fix, however it may require removal of one of the heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch is misaligned either with the strike plate or with the jamb of the door [Redirect Only] or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't fully extended or retracted completely. The misalignment can happen over time, due to weather, or from shifting of the home.

It can be difficult to open a door that is stuck. To fix this, loosen the screws holding the hinge to the frame, and then, add shims to make the door raised or reduced. This will bring the latch closer to lock mechanism and solve the issue.

If the latch doesn't fit in the strike plate hole, you can solve the issue by loosening the screw holding the strike plate and using a metal planer or electric file to cut off some of the edge until the latch fits. This might also require removing the strike plate and chiseling out the hole to make it bigger in the event that it is necessary.

Another common issue with French doors is that the locks don't engage correctly. This could indicate an issue with the locking cylinder, especially if you're using a newer lock system. If the lock isn't functioning properly, you'll need take it off and examine for visible damage.

Replace the weatherstripping that was installed on the exterior of a door if you notice drafts coming in. This will create a tight seal and prevent the doors from catching. Door sweeps can be added to close any gaps. Install the sweeps on top and bottom of the door.