15 Interesting Facts About French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You've Never Seen

· 6 min read
15 Interesting Facts About French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You've Never Seen

Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement

When you lock your french doors, it is important to ensure that they're safe. This can be accomplished by selecting a lock system that will secure your door without obstructing airflow or affecting the appearance of your home.

French door locks typically have three-point locking systems that includes flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel as well as the door's lockset that can be opened. This system is tough to break.

How do you fix the problem of a French door that isn't locking

If your doors aren't locking or don't latch properly, it could be a major safety issue. It could be a sign of a larger issue like a cracked or damaged locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue can be solved with just a few steps.

The reason a door won't latch is usually because of an obstruction blocking it. It could be like a small piece of dirt that has gotten stuck in the lock or it could be an issue with the latch itself.

If you take a look at the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors which sits against frame), you can see if it is true. If there is a small metal tab sticking out of the strike plate, tap it gently with a screwdriver and hammer to bend it slightly to open the hole in the plate, allowing bolts can be dropped into it more easily.

A latch that is stuck could be the result of improper installation or an improper alignment. Lubricating the latch can help it function better, but it doesn't solve the issue of how it aligns with the strike plate.

If you do not have a strike plate it's easy to install one. You'll need to take the body of the lock from the door (the part that is screwed into the frame of the door) and replace the complete lock assembly with a brand new one. This is an easy task that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill.



To ensure that the lock works effectively, it is a good practice to lubricate it frequently, particularly the cylinder. You can use graphite or silicone-based lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant to the key, then rotate it several times until the cylinder is able to move freely.

It is a good idea to purchase double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, instead of just a standard one. A simple handle twist lock will not be enough to keep intruders out, and a standard deadbolt that has an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door can be beaten by breaking the glass and then reaching in through it.

How to fix the problem of a French door that won't latch

Most often, the issue is caused by the door latch not engaging with the strike plate hole. It is usually caused by sagging hinges. However, it can be caused by an issue with the position of the latch or the latch itself. You can use lipstick, or a similar marker to determine which is the culprit. This mark can help you 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 it could be the position of the latch.

It is important to ensure that the strike plate is aligned with the latch holes when installing handles or a lock mechanism on the French Door. This is especially important when a door has been closed for a prolonged period of time. During this time the door might have moved a bit. This is most common for doors made of timber and composite, because they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather or environment.

To fix this, remove the lock latch on the edge of the door that is active and then remove it from the handle. With a chisel that is sharp, the hammer and a chisel expand the strike plate hole within the door frame. This will allow you to place the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is closed it will shut without catching the frame.

Once the hole in the latch has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch into the strike plate hole and screw it into. Then adjust the strike plate with the hammer, screw and nut until it is in the right position. Test the door. Make any adjustments you need to make.

The lock cylinder of external French doors won't turn.  replace window with french doors cost uk repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk  can be due damage or wear and tear. However, it's generally a simple fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins of the cylinder are worn. A simple clean can make a huge difference in the performance of the mechanism, so it's worth giving it a try. If the issue continues it could be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.

Fixing a French Door that won't open

If your French doors do not lock the way you want them to, it's most likely caused by debris and dirt blocking the lock mechanism. Verifying that the frame is clear and that there is nothing blocking the locking mechanism is the first thing you need to do. There could also be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the door to drag over the frame, which can eventually cause jamming.

The mechanism behind the lock is quite simple - the key rotates a spindle which is then able to move a bolt back and forth on the rail. If the handle is moving 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 could need lubricating. Try using a silicone spray - it will come with a pipe that you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanism of the lock. Spray generously and then rotate the handle to ensure that the lubricant has reached all of the mechanisms.

It is also possible to change the location of the latch on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from the outside. If you're French doors have just been installed, you should be able fix the latch and handle into the right position without any difficulty. If your French doors are older, you will need to use the templates that comes with the lock kit to mark the location where the holes for the handle on the door and latch on the frame must be. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from the floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door for the latch.

Once the hole is made, you must ensure that the latch plate is correctly placed over the strike plate of the door frame. If the latch plate does not fit correctly, the deadbolt will not retract into strike plate when you push the lock lever. The latch plate will then require to be screwed into the correct position.

How to fix a French Door That Won't Close

Sometimes the latch on a French door can become stuck, and it isn't able to close, making the doors ineffective. This is usually a simple problem to fix, but it may require the removal of one of the doors that are heavy. The most common cause is that the latch is not aligned or with the strike plate, or with the door jamb or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't being extended or retracted completely. Misalignment happens over time, due to weather conditions, or due to the settling of the house.

If the latch is stuck, it can be difficult to open, but it's generally simple to fix the issue by loosening the screws that secure the hinge to the frame, and then adding shims to make the door a bit higher or lower. This will bring the latch closer to the lock mechanism and solve the issue.

Similarly, if the latch isn't able to get into the strike plate's hole on the jamb of the door typically, you can fix the issue by loosing a screw that holds the strike plate and using a metal file or electric planer to remove some of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. This could also mean removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it larger if required.

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

Replace the old weatherstripping on the exterior of a door If you notice a draft coming in. This will provide a tight seal and will to keep the doors from sticking or locking improperly. Door sweeps can be added 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.