Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
You want to lock your french doors securely. This can be accomplished by selecting a lock that will secure your door without obstructing airflow and affecting the aesthetic look of your home.
French door locks are generally an all-point lock system which includes flush bolts at the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and an operable door. This type of lock can be difficult to break into.
How to fix an French door that won't lock
It can be a significant security risk if your doors don't lock or latch properly. It could also be an indication of a major issue such as a cracked locking cylinder. Don't worry you can resolve the issue in just a few steps.
A door that doesn't latch is usually due to an obstruction blocking it. It could be as simple as dirt stuck in the latch or the latch could be defective.
If you look at the strike plate (the metal piece on the inside of the doors that rests against the frame), you can see if it is true. If there is a small tab of metal protruding out from the strike plate, gently tap it using a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to drop in more easily.
A latch that has become stuck is usually caused by a poor alignment or installation. Lubricating the latch can help it to work better, but won't fix issues with alignment.
If you do not have a strike plate, it is easy to install one. It is necessary to remove the body of the lock from the door (the part that is screwed into the frame of the door) and replace the entire 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. Use a silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key, and then turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt is better than an ordinary deadbolt when is used on French doors. A simple lock that twists the handle isn't enough to stop intruders from entering, and a standard deadbolt that has a thumb-turn on the inside of the door can be defeated 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 properly engaging with the strike plate hole. It is often caused by the hinges being sagging. However, it can also be due to an issue with the latch position or the latch itself. To help determine which 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 will help determine the source of the issue. For instance when the mark is below the strike plate then it's probably the hinges. If it's above the strike plate, then it could be the position of the latch.
When installing handles or a new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the strike plate and latch holes are properly aligned. This is especially true if one door has been closed for a long period of time. During this time, the door may have moved a bit. This is most common for timber or composite doors because they are prone to contraction or expansion in response to weather conditions and the surrounding.
To correct this issue, 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, enlarge the strike plate hole on the door frame. This will allow the latch to be placed in a more suitable position for the door, and when the door is shut and opened it will close without catching or rubbing on the frame.
After the hole for the latch has been expanded, carefully place the new latch into the strike plate hole and screw it into. Then, adjust the strike plate using the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the proper position. Test the door. Make any adjustments you need to make.
The lock cylinder on external French doors won't turn. This could be caused by debris or simply wear and tear, but it is usually easy to fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins of the cylinder wear. It's worth trying to see if a simple cleaning can result in a change. If the issue is not resolved, it's usually required to replace the entire lock cylinder.
How do you fix a French door that won't let you open
If your French doors won't lock, the problem is most likely caused by dirt and debris blocking the mechanism for locking. Checking that the door frame is clear and that there is nothing blocking the locking mechanism is the first thing to do. It could be that the French door frame and French door are not aligned correctly. This could cause the door to sway onto the frame and ultimately cause jamming.
The mechanism for locking is simple. A key rotates a spindle, which then moves the bolt upwards and downwards on a rail. If the handle spins but the bolt doesn't move this could mean that something is stuck. There may be an issue with the mechanism of the lock itself, or it might just need to be lubricated. Try using a silicone spray - it comes with a pipe which you can use to direct the lubricant into the mechanisms of the lock. Spray liberally and turn the handle until the lubricant has gotten to all the parts of the mechanism.
You may also need to change 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 your French doors were just installed, you should be able fix the latch and handle into the right position without any difficulty. If your French doors are older, you'll need to use the template that comes with the lock kit to mark the location where the holes for the handle on the door and 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 drill a smaller hole on the door's edge to install the latch.
Once the hole is drilled It is crucial to make sure that the latch plate fits 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 if you pull the lever to lock. In the end, you'll have to screw the latch plate in place.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Close
The latch on the latch on a French door can become stuck and can't be closed. This renders the doors inoperable. There's often a simple fix for this but it could require removal of one of the doors, particularly when they're heavy. In the majority of cases the latch isn't aligned correctly with the strike plate, the jamb of the door or both. The dead bolt might not be fully extended or retracted. Misalignment happens with time, due to weather conditions or the settlement of the house.
If the latch is stuck, it may be difficult to open, but it's generally simple to fix the issue by loosening the screws that hold the hinge to the frame and then adding shims to make the door higher or lower. This will bring the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and will solve the issue.
If a cool way to improve doesn't fit in the strike plate hole you can repair it by loosening the screw holding the strike plate, and using an electric or metal file to trim the edge until the latch is able to fit. If needed, you may also have to remove the strike plate to make the hole.
Another common issue with French doors is that the locks don't engage properly. If you have a newer lock system this could indicate an issue with the cylinder that locks. If the lock isn't working properly, you'll have take it off and examine for visible damage.
If you have an older door with a draft coming in, consider replacing the old weatherstripping around the outside of the doors. This will create a tight seal and prevent the doors from sticking. You can also add door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps that could be created are sealed. Install the sweeps on both the top and bottom of the door.