Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement

You'll want to secure your french door threshold replacement doors safely. This can be done by choosing a lock that keeps your door safe without hindering airflow or altering the aesthetics of your space.

French door locks are generally an all-point lock system that includes flush bolts at the upper and lower edges of each door panel and an operable door. This lockset is very difficult to break.

How to fix a French door that isn't locking

It can be a significant security risk when doors don't lock or latch correctly. This could be a sign of a major issue such as a broken locking cylinder. Don't worry, the problem can be solved by following a few simple steps.

A door that doesn't latch is usually because of an obstruction blocking it. This 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 examine the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors which is positioned against the frame), you can see if it is true. If there is a small metal tab sticking out of the strike plate, gently tap it using a screwdriver, then use a hammer to bend it a bit, this will allow the hole to be opened in the plate and allow bolts can be dropped in more easily.

A seized latch is usually caused by a poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it function better, but it won't solve alignment issues.

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

It is recommended to ensure that the lock is lubricated, especially the cylinder, frequently to ensure it operates as well as possible. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder is moving freely.

A double-cylinder deadbolt is better than a standard deadbolt when it comes to French doors. A simple lock that twists the handle won't be enough to stop intruders from entering, and a standard deadbolt fitted with a thumb-turn on the inside of the door can be beaten by breaking the glass and then reaching in through it.

Fixing a replacement upvc french doors Door that isn't latching

The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not engaging properly with the hole of the strike plate. It is usually caused by sagging hinges. However, it can also be due to a problem with the latch position or the latch itself. To help determine which of these causes the problem, use lipstick or a similar marker to see where the latch makes contact with the strike plate hole. This mark will help determine the cause of the issue. For instance when the mark is below the strike plate then it's likely the hinges. If it's higher it could be the position of the latch.

It is essential to be sure to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or the lock mechanism on the French Door. This is especially true in the event that one door was closed for a prolonged period of time. In this time, the door could be a bit shifted. This is most common for wooden or composite doors since they are prone to expand or contract according to the weather and the surrounding.

To fix this, first take the latch from the active door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Then using a sharp chisel and hammer, you can increase the strike plate hole on 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 close without catching on the frame.

Once the hole in the latch has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it into. Next, re-adjust the strike plate with the screw and hammer until it is in a more appropriate position, then test the door. Make any adjustments as required.

Another issue with external French Doors is that the lock cylinder won't turn. This can be due to wear and tear or debris. However, it's generally a simple fix. Often the lock is simply obstructed or the pins inside the cylinder are worn. A simple cleaning can make a world of difference to the functioning of the mechanism, so it's well worth giving this the go-ahead. If the issue is not resolved, it is often required to replace french doors with bifold 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 blocked. The first thing you should do is check the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and that nothing is blocking the locking mechanism. It is possible that the French door frame and French door are not aligned properly. This could cause the French door to slide against the frame, resulting in jamming.

The lock mechanism is straightforward. A key turns the spindle, and then moves the bolt upwards and downwards on a rail. If the handle spins 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 might require lubrication. Use a silicone spray. It comes with a nozzle you can use to spray the lubricant directly to the mechanism. Spray generously, then turn the handle to make sure that all the parts of the lock mechanism are lubricated.

It is also possible to adjust where the latch is located on the French door. This is easy to do and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors have just been installed, you should be able put the handle and latch in place with no problem. If your french door threshold replacement doors are older, you'll have 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 need to be. Then drill the hole for the handle or knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door to install the latch.

Once the hole has been dug, you must ensure that the latch plate is 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 push the lever to lock. Finally, you will have to screw the latch plate into the correct position.

How do you fix a French door that won't close

Sometimes the latch on the latch on a French door gets stuck so it isn't able to close, making the doors effectively unusable. This is usually a straightforward issue to fix, but it could require removal of one of the doors that are heavy. Most of the time, the latch is not aligned correctly with the strike plate, the door jamb, or both. It might also be that the dead bolt isn't being extended or retracted completely. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign over time, due to weather conditions, or due to the settlement of the house.

It can be 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 make the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and fix the problem.

Similarly, if the latch isn't getting into the strike plate's hole on the jamb of the door it is usually possible to solve the issue by loosing the screw that is holding the strike plate and using a metal file or electric planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. If you need to, you might also need to remove the strike plate in order to chisel out the hole.

The locks on French doors can sometimes fail to latch properly. This could be a sign of an issue with the cylinder that locks if you're using a more recent lock system. You'll need to remove the lock and check it for obvious damage or obstructions and, if it's functioning properly, you may need to replace it.

If you have an older door that has a draft coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping on the outside of the door. This will give a secure seal and help prevent the doors from sticking or locking incorrectly. Door sweeps can be used to fill in any gaps. If you decide to do this, make sure that you place the sweeps on both sides of the door and that the sweeps overlap with each other at the bottom.