Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement When it comes to locking your french doors, you need to ensure they're secure. This can be accomplished by choosing a lock system that will secure your door without obstructing airflow or affecting the aesthetic look of your space. French door locks are typically an all-point lock system which includes flush bolts at the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and an operable door. This system isn't easy to penetrate. How do you fix an French door that isn't locking If your doors aren't locking or don't latch correctly, it could be a major safety concern. It could also be a sign of a more serious problem like a cracked or damaged locking cylinder. But don't despair it is possible to fix the issue with a few simple steps. A door that doesn't latch is usually because of an obstruction that is blocking it. This can be something like a small piece of dirt stuck in the lock, or it could be a problem with the latch itself. If you examine the strike plate, (the metal piece on the inside of the doors which is positioned against the frame) You can determine if it is true. If you notice a tiny metal tab protruding from the strike plate gently tap it with a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to slide into the door more easily. A latch that has become stuck is usually due to poor alignment or installation. Lubricating the latch can help it function better, but it won't solve problems with how it aligns with the strike plate. Installing a strike plate is straightforward if you don't already have one. It is necessary to remove the lock body from the door (the part that attaches to the frame of the door) and replace the complete lock assembly with a brand new one. You will need a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill to do this, but it's not a difficult job. To ensure that the lock works effectively it is a great 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 recommended to get a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, rather than simply a standard deadbolt. A lock that is a twist on the handle is not enough to deter burglars as the standard deadbolt for doors that has a thumb-turn can be destroyed if you smash the glass. How do you fix a French door that won't latch The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not connecting properly with the hole of the strike plate. It is usually caused by sagging hinges. However, it could be caused by an issue with the latch position or the latch itself. To determine which of these causes the problem, apply a lipstick or similar marker to see the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate. The position of the mark will help understand where the problem is - for example, if it makes contact below the strike plate's hole, hinges are likely to be the reason, however If it's above, the latch's position could be the cause. When installing handles or a new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the strike plate and latch holes are aligned correctly. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/french-door-repairs-london/ is especially important if a door has been closed for a prolonged period of time. In this period, the door may have moved a bit. This is especially common with wooden or composite doors since they are susceptible to expansion or contraction according to the weather and the surrounding. To correct this, first remove the latch from the door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Utilizing a sharp chisel hammer and a chisel, make a larger hole for the strike plate in the door frame. This will allow the latch to be placed in a more appropriate position for the door, and when the door is closed and opened, it will close easily without catching or rubbing on the frame. Once the latch hole has been expanded, carefully place the new latch in the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, re-adjust the strike plate with the screw and hammer until it is sitting in a more suitable position, and then check the door. Make any adjustments as required. The lock cylinder on external French doors won't turn. This can be due wear and tear or debris. However, it is generally a simple fix. The lock may be obstructed, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. It's worth trying to see if a quick clean can make a difference. If the issue continues it might 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 dirt and debris blocking the mechanism of the lock. Verifying that the frame is clear and that there is nothing blocking the locking system is the first thing you need to do. It is possible that the French door frame and French door are not aligned correctly. This could cause the door to sway on the frame and eventually cause jamming. The mechanism for locking is simple. A key rotates the spindle, which moves a bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle moves, but the bolt doesn't, then something is stuck. There could be an issue with the mechanism of the lock itself or it may just require some lubrication. Make use of a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle you can use to direct the lubricant directly into the mechanism. Spray liberally and turn the handle to ensure the lubricant has reached all of the mechanisms. You may also have to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from outside. If you're French doors are brand new and brand new, you'll be able to screw the latch and handle into place without any problem. If your French doors are older, you will need to use the template 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 must be. Then, drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then make a smaller hole along the door's edge for the latch. Once the hole is made, you must ensure that the latch plate is positioned over the strike plate of the door frame. If this doesn't fit the deadbolt, it may not retract into the strike plate when you push the lock lever. The latch plate will then need to be screwed into the correct position. How to fix an French door that won't shut The latch on a French Door can get stuck and can't be closed. This renders the doors unusable. This is usually a simple problem to resolve, but it could require removal of one of the heavy doors. Most of the time, the latch is not aligned properly with the strike plate, door jamb or both. The dead bolt may not be fully extended or retractable. Misalignment happens in time, as a result of weather, or from settling of the house. It is sometimes difficult to open a door that is stuck. To solve this issue, loosen the screws holding the hinge to the frame, and then add some shims to make the door raised or reduced. This will allow the latch to be closer to the lock mechanism and fix the problem. If the latch isn't getting into position with the strike plate hole in the jamb of the door typically, you can solve the issue by loosing the screw that is holding the strike plate and using a metal file or electric planer to cut away some of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. If you need to, you might also need to remove the strike plate to chisel out the hole. The locks on French doors often fail to latch properly. This could be a sign of a problem in the cylinder that locks if you're using a newer lock system. If the lock is not functioning properly, you'll need take it off and examine for visible damage. Replace the old weatherstripping on the outside of a door that is older when you feel drafts coming in. This will form a tight seal, and prevent the doors from sagging. Door sweeps can be added to fill in any gaps. If you choose to do this, be sure that the sweeps are placed on both sides of the door, and ensure that the sweeps overlap at the bottom.