Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You want to lock your french doors with security. This can be accomplished by selecting the right lock that will keep your door secure without restricting airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your room.
French door locks are typically a three-point lock system which includes flush bolts at the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and an operable door. This lock is extremely tough to break.
Fixing a French Door that won't lock
If your doors aren't locking or don't latch correctly, it could be a serious safety risk. It could also be a sign of a bigger issue like a damaged or broken locking cylinder. But don't despair, you can usually solve the issue by following a few simple steps.
The majority of the time, the reason a door won't close is because of an obstruction blocking the latch. It could be like a small piece of dirt that is stuck in the lock or it could be a problem with the latch itself.
If you take a look at the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the side of the doors that sits against frame), you can see the truth. If there is a small tab of metal protruding out from the strike plate, gently tap it with a screwdriver to bend it. This will let the bolt slide into the door more easily.
replacing glass in french door that has become stuck is usually due to poor alignment or improper installation. Lubricating the latch may help it function better, but it will not solve problems with how it lines up with the strike plate.
Installing the strike plate is easy in case you don't have 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. This is an easy task that requires a phillips head screwdriver as well as a power drill.
It is recommended to ensure that the lock is lubricated especially the cylinder frequently to ensure it works as well as possible. You can use graphite or silicone-based lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key, then turn it several times slowly until the cylinder is able to move freely.
It is recommended to get double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, instead of just a standard one. A handle twist lock will not be enough to stop intruders, and the standard deadbolt for doors that has a thumb turn can be ruined if you break the glass.
How do you fix an French door that isn't latching
The issue is usually caused by the door latch not connecting to the strike plate hole. This is usually due to hinges that are sagging, however it could also be due to the position of the latch or the latch itself. To determine which of these is the cause, apply a lipstick or similar marker to pinpoint the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate. This mark can 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 higher it could be the latch position.
It is important to ensure that the strike plate is aligned with the latch holes when installing handles or a lock mechanism on a French Door. This is particularly important if one door has been closed for a prolonged period of time. In that time the door might have moved a little. This is especially common with wooden or composite doors since they are susceptible to expansion or contraction depending on the weather and the conditions.
To correct this issue, first remove the lock latch from the active door's edge, then remove the locking strip from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, enlarge the strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow the latch to be put in a more suitable position for the door, and when the door is shut and opened it will close smoothly without catching or rubbing on the frame.
Once the hole in the latch has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it into. Then adjust the strike plate using the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the right position. Test the door. Make any adjustments that are needed.
The lock cylinder on the external French doors won't turn. This could be due to debris or simply wear and tear, but it's usually easy to fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins of the cylinder worn. It's worth a shot to see if a quick cleaning can help. If the problem persists it's usually necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.
How to fix the problem of a French door that won't open
If your French door isn't locking due to dirt or other debris it's likely that the lock mechanism is obstructed. The first thing to do is check the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and nothing is blocking the mechanism that locks. There could be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the French door to drag against the frame, which can result in jamming.
The lock mechanism itself is fairly simple. The key turns a spindle that then moves a bolt back and forth on rail. If the handle is turning but the bolt doesn't move it means that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty or it might require lubrication. Make use of a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle that can be used to direct lubricant directly into the mechanisms. Spray liberally and then turn the handle to make sure that all the parts of the lock mechanism are well-lubricated.
There is also the possibility of having to adjust the location of the latch on the French door. This is easy to do and is usually done from the outside of the door. If your French doors are brand new and brand new, you'll be able to screw the handle and latch in the right position without a problem. If your French doors are older, you'll have to use the template included in the lock kit to mark where the holes for the handle on the door and latch on the frame need to be. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then make a smaller hole along the door's edge for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled It is crucial to check that the latch plate is positioned correctly over the strike plate that is on the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit properly, the deadbolt will not retract into the strike plate when you pull the lock lever. In the end, you'll have to screw the latch plate into the correct position.
Fixing a French Door that isn't closing
Sometimes, the latch on the latch on a French door gets stuck so it isn't able to close, making the doors unusable. This is usually a simple problem to fix, but it could require you to remove one of the heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch is not aligned or with the strike plate, or with the door jamb or both. The dead bolt may not be fully extended or retracted. The misalignment could occur over time because of weather or settling.
If the latch is stuck, it may be difficult to open, but it's generally easy to solve the issue by loosening the screws holding the hinge to the frame and then adding shims to make the door a bit higher or lower. This will get the latch closer to the lock mechanism and resolve the problem.
If the latch does not fit inside the hole of the strike plate, you can solve the issue by loosening the screw holding the strike plate, and using an electric or a metal file to remove some of the edges until the latch fits. This might also require removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger should it be necessary.
The locks on French doors can sometimes fail to engage properly. This could indicate an issue with the locking cylinder if you're using a newer lock system. It is necessary to remove the lock and examine it for visible obstructions or damages and if it's not functioning properly, you might require replacing it.
Replace the weatherstripping that was installed on the exterior of an older door if you notice a draft coming in. This will provide a tight seal and help to keep the doors from sticking or locking improperly. Door sweeps can be used to fill in any gaps. Install the sweeps on the top and bottom of the door.