Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You'll want to secure your french doors securely. This can be accomplished by selecting a lock that will secure your door without obstructing airflow or affecting the aesthetic look of your home.
French door locks are generally an all-point lock system that has flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and an operable door. This type of lock isn't easy to break into.
How to fix an French door that won't lock
It can be a serious safety issue when doors don't lock or latch properly. It could also be a sign of a larger issue, such as a cracked or broken locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue can be fixed with a few easy steps.
The majority of the time, a door that won't close is because of an obstruction that is blocking the latch. It could be as simple as dirt stuck in the latch, or the latch may be defective.
You can confirm if this is the situation by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that rests against the frame on the side 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 into the door more easily.
A latch that is stuck could be due to improper installation or a poor alignment. Lubricating the latch can help it function better, but will not fix problems with alignment.
If you don't have a strikeplate it's simple to install one. It is necessary to remove the body of the lock from the door (the part that screws into the door frame) and replace the complete lock assembly with a brand new one. This is a straightforward job that requires a phillips head screwdriver and power drill.
To ensure that the lock functions effectively, it is a good practice to lubricate it frequently, particularly the cylinder. Utilize a lubricant made of graphite or silicone for this. Apply the lubricant on the key and then turn it slowly several times until the cylinder moves freely.
It is a good idea to invest in a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, rather than just a standard one. A simple twist lock on the handle will not be enough to stop intruders from entering, and a standard deadbolt that has a thumb-turn on the inside of the door could be defeated by breaking the glass and then reaching into the door.
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Most often, the issue is caused by the door latch not properly engaging with the strike plate hole. This is typically caused by sagging hinges however it could also be due to the location of the latch 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. This mark can help you determine the cause of the issue. For instance when the mark is below the strike plate then it's probably the hinges. If it's above, then it could be the latch position.
When installing handles or a new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the latch and strike plate holes are aligned correctly. This is especially important in the event that a door was closed for a prolonged period of time. During this time, the door may have moved slightly. This is most common for wooden and composite doors since they are prone to expansion or contraction based on the weather conditions or the surrounding environment.
To fix this, remove the latch on the edge of the door that is active and remove it from the handle. Then using a sharp chisel and hammer, increase 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 shut, it will shut without catching the frame.
After the hole for the latch has been enlarged, carefully insert the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, adjust the strike plate with the screw and hammer until it is in a more appropriate position, and then check the door. Make any adjustments you need to make.
Another common problem with external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder doesn't turn. This could be due to wear and tear or debris. However, it's usually a simple fix. Often the lock is simply obstructed, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. A simple cleaning can make a world of difference to the operation of the mechanism, so it's worth giving it the go-ahead. If the issue persists, it's usually necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.
How do fix the problem of a French door that isn't opening
If your French door isn't locking due to dirt or other debris It is likely that the mechanism is obstructed. Making sure that the frame is clear and that there's nothing blocking the locking system is the first thing to do. There could also be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the door to sway on the frame and eventually cause jamming.
The lock mechanism is straightforward. A key rotates the spindle, which moves a bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle is moving but the bolt doesn't there is a problem, then something is not working. There could be an issue with the mechanism of the lock, or it might just need lubricating. Make use of a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle that can be used to direct the lubricant directly into the mechanism. Spray the spray liberally and then rotate the handle to ensure that the lubricant is reaching all parts of the mechanism.
It is also possible to adjust the location of the latch on the French door. This is easy to do and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If your French doors have just been installed they should be able to put the latch and handle into the door without difficulty. If your French doors are older, you'll need to use the templates that comes with the lock kit to mark the locations where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame should be. Then, you'll need to 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 to install the latch.
Once the hole has been made, you must ensure that the latch plate is correctly positioned 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 push the lever to lock. In the end, you'll have to screw the latch plate into place.
How to fix a French door that won't shut
Sometimes, the latch on the latch on a French door is stuck and it won't close, making the doors effectively unusable. There's usually a fix for this but it can involve removal of one of the doors, in particular if they are heavy. The most common cause is that the latch isn't aligned either with the strike plate or with the jamb on the door, or both. The dead bolt may not be fully extended or retractable. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign with time, due to weather, or from shifting of the home.
If the latch is stuck, it may be difficult to open, however it's typically simple to fix the issue by loosening the screws that hold the hinge to the frame and then inserting shims to make the door a bit higher or lower. This will make the latch closer to the lock mechanism and resolve the issue.
If the latch isn't able to fit into the strike plate hole you can solve the issue by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate, and using a metal planer or electric file to cut off some of the edges until the latch is able to fit. This might also require removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger if necessary.
The locks on French doors can sometimes fail to engage properly. This could indicate an issue with the locking cylinder if you have a more recent lock system. You'll need to remove the lock and inspect it for obvious obstructions or damage, and if it's not functioning properly, you may require replacing it.
If you have an older door that has a draught coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping on the exterior of the door. This will provide a tight seal and keep the doors from slipping or locking improperly. You can also add door sweeps to ensure that all the possible gaps are closed. If you do this, make sure to install the sweeps on both sides of the door and ensure that the sweeps overlap with each other at the bottom.