Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You'll want to lock your french doors with security. This can be done by selecting a lock that keeps your door secure while not hindering airflow or altering the aesthetics of your space. French door locks are usually an all-point lock system that includes flush bolts at the upper and lower edges of each door panel and a lockset on the operable door. This system is difficult to crack. How to fix a French Door that won't lock It can be a significant security risk when doors don't lock or latch correctly. This could be an indication of a major issue like a damaged locking cylinder. Don't worry, the problem can be fixed by following a few simple steps. The majority of the time, the reason a door won't close is because of an obstruction blocking the latch. It could be as simple as dirt stuck in the latch, or the latch may be defective. If you look at the strike plate, (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors that rests against the frame), you can see whether it's true. 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 let the bolt slide in more easily. A latch that is seized is typically caused by poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it to work better, but will not fix problems with alignment. If you don't have a strike plate it's easy to install one. The lock body (the part that screws into the door frame) will need to be removed from the door and the lock assembly replaced. This is a straightforward job that requires a Phillips head screwdriver and a power drill. To ensure that the lock works as efficiently as it can it is a great practice to lubricate it frequently, particularly the cylinder. You can use graphite or silicone-based lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder moves freely. It's an excellent idea to invest in double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, instead of simply a standard deadbolt. A handle twist lock is not enough to stop intruders, and a standard door deadbolt that has a thumb turn can be destroyed if you smash the glass. Fixing a French Door that isn't latching The issue is usually caused by the latch of the door not connecting properly with the hole in the strike plate. It is often caused by the hinges being sagging. However, it could be caused by a problem with the latch position or the latch itself. To help determine which of these is the culprit you can use a lipstick or similar marker to see where the latch makes contact with the strike plate hole. This mark can help you determine the source of the issue. For instance when the mark is below the strike plate then it's likely the hinges. If it's above, then it could be the position of the latch. It is essential 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 true if a door has been closed for a long period of time. In this period the door could have moved slightly. This is particularly common with wooden or composite doors since they are susceptible to contraction or expansion depending on the weather and the conditions. To fix this issue, remove the latch at the edge of the door that is active and then remove it from the handle. Then, using a sharp chisel and hammer, enlarge 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 shut without catching the frame. Once the latch hole has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it into. Then adjust the strike plate with the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the proper position. Test the door. Make any necessary adjustments. Another issue with external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder isn't able to turn. This could be caused by obstructions or wear and tear, however it's usually simple to fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins of the cylinder are worn. It's worth a try to see if a simple clean will make a difference. If the issue persists, it is often necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder. Repairing a French Door that isn't opening If your French doors do not lock, the problem is most likely due to dirt and debris blocking the mechanism of the lock. Verifying that the frame is clear and that there is nothing obstructing the locking system is the first thing to do. It is possible that the French door frame and French door aren't aligned correctly. This can cause the French door to move against the frame, resulting in jamming. The lock mechanism is simple. A key turns the spindle, and 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. It could be something wrong with the mechanics of the lock itself, or it may just require to be lubricated. Use a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle you can use to direct the lubricant directly to the mechanism. Spray liberally then turn the handle to ensure that all the parts of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated. You may also need to change the position 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 screw the latch and handle in the right position without any difficulty. If they're older you'll have to mark the locations of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the door frame using a template included in the lock kit. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle or knob at the proper height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door for the latch. After the hole has been drilled, you need to make sure 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. Then, you'll have to screw the latch plate into the correct position. How to fix an French door that won't shut 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 resolve, but it may require you to remove one of the doors that are heavy. In most cases the problem is that the latch is not aligned or with the strike plate, or with the jamb of the door or both. It could also be that the dead bolt isn't extended or retracted fully. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign with time, due to weather, or from settlement of the home. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/chelmsford-french-door-repairs-near-me/ can be difficult to open doors that are stuck. To fix this you need to loosen the screws that hold the hinge to the frame, and then, add shims to make the door raised or lower. This will make the latch closer to the lock mechanism and resolve the issue. If the latch isn't in position with the strike plate hole on the door jamb, you can usually fix it by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate and using an electric or metal planer to remove some of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. If necessary, you may also need to remove the strike plate to cut out the hole. Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage properly. If you have a newer lock system this could indicate a problem with the locking cylinder. If the lock is not functioning properly, you'll need remove it and look for any visible damage. If you have an older door that has a draught coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping that was used on the exterior of the door. This will create a secure seal and prevent the doors from sticking. Door sweeps can be used to fill in any gaps. If you choose to do this, be sure to install the sweeps on both sides of the door, and that the sweeps overlap at the bottom.