Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When it comes to locking your french doors, it is important to ensure they're safe. This can be done by choosing locks that keep your door secure without restricting airflow or affecting the appearance of your home.
French door locks typically come with three-point locking that includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel as well as an opening lockset that can be opened. This lockset isn't easy to break into.
How to fix a French Door that isn't Locking
If your doors won't lock or don't latch properly, it could be a major safety issue. It could be an indication of a larger issue like a cracked or broken locking cylinder. Don't worry, the problem is fixable by following a few simple steps.
Most often, the reason a door won't close is because of an obstruction that blocks the latch. It could be just as simple as dirt accumulating in the latch, or the latch may be defective.
You can determine if this is the case by looking at the strike plate (the metal piece that sits against the frame on the inside of the door). If there is a small metal tab protruding from the strike plate, tap it gently using a screwdriver and hammer to bend it slightly to allow the hole to be opened in the plate and allow bolts can be dropped in more easily.
A latch that is seized is typically caused by poor alignment or improper installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it work better, but will not fix issues with alignment.
Installing a strike plate is straightforward if you don't already have one. The body of the lock (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 power drill.
It is recommended to lubricate the new lock especially the cylinder frequently to ensure it works as well as possible. Utilize a lubricant made of graphite or silicone to do this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder is moving freely.
It's a good idea to invest in a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, rather than simply a standard deadbolt. A simple lock that twists the handle isn't enough to keep intruders out and a standard deadbolt fitted with an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door could be defeated by breaking the glass and gaining access into the door.
Fixing a French Door that won't latch
The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not interacting properly with the hole in the strike plate. This is typically caused by sagging hinges however it can be due to the position of the latch or the latch itself. To determine which of these is the cause, use a lipstick or similar marker to pinpoint where the latch makes contact with the strike plate. This mark will help you identify the root of the problem. For example when the mark is below the strike plate, it's most likely to be the hinges. If it's above the strike plate, then it could be the position of the latch.
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 especially important when a door has been closed for an extended period of time. In that time, the door could have moved a little. This is particularly common with composite and timber doors, as they are susceptible to expansion or contraction based on the weather or environment.
To correct this, first remove the lock latch from the 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 will permit the latch to be placed in a more appropriate position for the door, and when the door is closed and opened, it will close without catching or rubbing on the frame.
Once the latch hole has been enlarged, carefully insert the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it in. Next, re-adjust french door repairs using the hammer and screw until it is in the correct position, and then check the door. Make any adjustments as required.
Another issue with external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder isn't able to turn. This can be due to debris or wear and tear. However, it's generally 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 help. If the issue is not resolved, it's usually necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.
How do fix a French door that won't open
If your French door isn't locking because of dirt or debris It is likely that the mechanism is obstructed. Checking that the door frame is free of debris and there is nothing obstructing the locking mechanism is the first thing to do. There could be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the French door to move against the frame, resulting in jamming.
The lock mechanism itself is fairly simple. The key rotates a spindle, which then moves a bolt back and forth on the rail. If the handle moves, but the bolt does not there is a problem, then something is not working. It could be that the lock's mechanics are not working properly, or it may just require lubrication. Try using the silicone spray. It will come with a pipe can be used to direct the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray generously and then rotate the handle until the lubricant has gotten to all parts of the mechanism.
It is also possible to change where the latch is located on the French door. This is simple to do and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors were just installed they should be able to put the handle and latch in the right position without any difficulty. If your French doors are older, you'll have to use the template that comes with the lock kit to mark the location where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame should be. Then 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 door's edge for the latch.
Once the hole is made, you must make sure that the latch plate is set over the strike plate of the door frame. If this doesn't fit then the deadbolt might not retract into the strike plate when you press the lever to lock. The latch plate will then need to be screwed into the correct position.
How to fix an French door that won't close
Sometimes the latch on the latch on a French door can become stuck, and it won't close, making the doors unusable. There's usually a simple solution to this, but it can involve removal of one of the doors, particularly in the case of heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch is not aligned either with the strike plate or with the jamb of the door or both. It could also be that the dead bolt isn't fully extended or fully retracted. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign in time, as a result of weather conditions or the settling of the house.
It is sometimes difficult to open a door that is stuck. To solve this issue take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame and then put in shims so the door is raised or lower. This will bring the latch closer to lock mechanism and resolve the issue.
If the latch isn't able to get into position with the strike plate's hole on the door jamb typically, you can solve the issue by loosing the screw that is holding the strike plate and using an electric or a metal planer to remove some of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. It may also mean taking off the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it larger in the event that it is necessary.
The locks on French doors often fail to engage properly. This could indicate an issue with the locking cylinder, especially if you're using a more recent lock system. If the lock isn't functioning properly, you'll need take it off and examine for obvious damage.
Replace the weatherstripping that was installed on the exterior of a door when you feel drafts entering. This will create a secure seal and help to keep the doors from sticking or locking improperly. You can also add door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps you might encounter are sealed. If you decide to do this, make sure that you place the sweeps on both sides of the door and that they overlap with each other at the bottom.