Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You'll want to secure your french doors securely. This can be achieved by selecting locks that keep your door secure while not restricting airflow or affecting the appearance of your home. French door locks are usually a three-point lock that has flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and a lockset on the operable door. This lockset is very hard to break. Repairing a French Door that isn't Locking It can be a serious security risk in the event that your doors do not lock or latch correctly. It could also be an indication of a serious issue such as a cracked locking cylinder. But don't despair you can fix the issue with a few simple steps. The most common reason for the reason a door won't close is because of an obstruction that blocks the latch. This can be something as simple as a piece of dirt stuck in the lock or it could be an issue with the latch itself. You can confirm if this is the situation by looking at the strike plate (the metal piece that sits against the frame on the inside of the door). If you see a tiny metal tab sticking out of the strike plate, gently tap it with a screwdriver and use a hammer to bend it a bit and this will allow the hole to be opened in the plate, allowing bolts can slide into the door more easily. A latch that is seized is typically due to poor alignment or improper installation. Lubricating the latch can help it function better, but it will not solve problems with how it lines up with the strike plate. Installing the strike plate is easy in the event that you don't have one. You'll need to take the lock body from the door (the part that screws into the door frame) and then replace the whole lock assembly with a brand new one. This is a simple job that requires a phillips head screwdriver as well as a power drill. It is recommended to lubricate the new lock especially the cylinder frequently to ensure it works as well as it can. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely. It is recommended to invest in double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, rather than simply a standard deadbolt. A simple twist lock on 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 beaten by breaking the glass and reaching in through it. How do fix a French door that isn't latching The issue is usually caused by the latch of the door not interacting properly with the hole of the strike plate. This is typically due to sagging hinges, however it can also be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. You can use lipstick, or another similar marker to determine which is the culprit. This mark can help you determine the source of the issue. For instance If the mark is below the strike plate then it's probably the hinges. If it's higher the strike plate, then 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 a French Door. This is particularly true when a door has been closed for a long period of time. In this period, the door may have moved slightly. This is particularly common with timber or composite doors because they are prone to contraction or expansion in response to weather conditions and the environment. To fix this, first remove the latch from the active door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, increase the strike plate hole on the door frame. This will allow you to put the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is closed it will close without catching on the frame. After the latch hole is increased, insert the new latch inside the strike plate and screw it into. Then adjust the strike plate using the hammer, screw and nut until it is in the correct position. Test the door. Make any necessary adjustments. The lock cylinder on external French Doors will not turn. This could be due to dirt or wear and tear, however it is usually easy to resolve. The lock may be blocked or the pins of the cylinder wear. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/stockport-french-door-repairs-near-me/ to see if a quick clean will make a difference. If the issue continues it might be necessary to replace the lock cylinder. How to fix a French door that isn't opening If your French doors aren't locking the way you want them to, it's most likely due to dirt and debris obstructing the lock mechanism. The first thing you should take is to ensure that the frame of the door is free of obstructions and that there is nothing blocking the mechanism for locking. There could be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the French door to move against the frame, resulting in jamming. The mechanism behind the lock is fairly simple. The key rotates a spindle, which then moves a bolt back-and-forth on a rail. If the handle moves but the bolt does not it means that something is stuck. It could be an issue with the mechanism of the lock, or it could just need some lubrication. Try using the silicone spray. It comes with a pipe which you can use to channel the lubricant into the mechanism of the lock. Spray liberally and rotate the handle to ensure the lubricant has gotten to all the parts of the mechanism. There is also the possibility of having to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. This is a simple task and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If your French doors are brand new they will be capable of screwing the latch and handle in place without difficulty. If they're older, you will have to mark the locations of the holes for the handles on the door as well as the latch on the frame of the door with an outline provided by the lock kit. Then, drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door to install the latch. After drilling the hole It is crucial to ensure that the latch plate is properly placed over the strike plate that is on the door frame. If the latch plate does not fit properly the deadbolt will not retract into strike plate when you pull the lever to lock. Then, you'll have to screw the latch plate into place. Repairing a French Door that won't close The latch on the latch of a French door can become stuck and not close. This can render the doors inoperable. This is usually a simple issue to resolve, but it could require removal of one of the heavy doors. Most of the time the latch isn't aligned correctly with the strike plate, the jamb of the door or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't extended or retracted fully. It is possible to have misalignment over time due to weather or the settling. If the latch is stuck, it can be difficult to open, however it's generally easy to fix the problem by loosening the screws holding the hinge to the frame and then inserting shims to make the door higher or lower. This will get the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and will solve the issue. If the latch does not fit inside the hole of the strike plate, you can solve the issue by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate, and using a metal planer or electric file to remove some of the edges until the latch fits. If you need to, you might have to take off the strike plate to make the hole. Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage correctly. This could be due to an issue with the locking cylinder if you're using a newer lock system. If the lock isn't working properly, you'll have take it off and examine for any visible damage. If you have an older door that has a draft coming in, try replacing the weatherstripping that was used on the outside of the doors. This will create a secure seal, and prevent the doors from sticking. Door sweeps can be used to close any gaps. If you do this, make sure to install the sweeps on both sides of the door and ensure that the sweeps overlap at the bottom.