Door Lock Replacement - What Are the Different Parts of a Door Lock? Faulty door lock can make your home a to target for burglars. It is a cost-effective way to beef up security without making your door unusable. A lot of locks come with a cardboard model that you can wrap around the edges of your door to ensure that it fits properly. This will stop you from purchasing the wrong lock. The Cylinder The cylinder is the principal element of a door's mechanical lock. It has a number of spring-loaded pins that keep the door shut even when no key is inserted in the hole. When a key is placed into the doorknob the uneven edge pushes up on the pins inside of the cylinder, fitting them to their correct positions. When the pins fit into the cylinder, they allow the bolt, also known as the latch, to move forward and connect the door's inside. The bolt extends out of the cylinder, and into the box, creating a hole that is drilled in the door frame. The box is designed so that the bolt cannot be pulled out easily. A clip spring keeps the bolt retracted when the door is closed. When you turn the handle and the spindle inside the cylinder turns. After it has completed its rotation the slanted side of the bolt is retracted into the door frame. The bolt rests on the carved-out portion of your doorframe, securing the door shut until you are required to open it once more. A faceplate is a steel plate that attaches to the interior of your door, on either side of the deadbolt hole. Its purpose is to protect your locking mechanism from damage that could be caused by the repeated removal and insertion of the knob. Are you installing a new lock? Make sure that the faceplate is in alignment with the hole on your door frame. Also, make sure that the faceplate is securely fastened to the faceplate and the latch bore. If you're replacing the door lock be sure that the deadbolt fits properly by sliding it into the strike plate's opening. After you're done then screw the strike plate and core of the new lock into the hole. Be cautious not to over-tighten because this could damage the latch and prevent it from sitting in its groove correctly. It's a good idea to test your new lock by turning the key while it's in the locked position. If you notice any problems like a squealing deadbolt or loose latches it's recommended to replace the lock with a new one. The Faceplate A faceplate is an over-sized flat plate that is attached to the lathe's headstock to support the workpiece. It has several screw holes through it where the screw thread is inserted through the back and then into the wood. Faceplates can be used to support a variety of shapes, but they are more difficult to utilize than a chuck since they must be placed properly, fixed, and balanced. A typical faceplate is equipped with mounting holes. In this case three holes are located at 120 degrees to receive the screws for mounting in FIGURE. 2. These screw holes are manufactured using an interchangeable insert 16, or directly into the faceplate body. The faceplate has an incline in the middle that acts as an index mark for locating a specific location on the blank workpiece. The stepping area is also resistant to abrasion, so that the fastener won't damage the chisel used to cut it. The faceplate's body has different properties than the surrounding region. Machining into this region alerts the turner to possible impending contact with fasteners and gives them time to react. Screws used to fix the faceplate must have a small amount of free play in the screw hole. There should be no space left behind the screw after it is tightened onto the glue block, as this could allow the block to move during the turning. It is also recommended to use a heavier gauge screw, as it will be more secure within the faceplate. The screw should also pass through the center of the screw hole to prevent the possibility of the screw head getting into contact with a workpiece. The Strike Plate The strike plate is among the most vital components of your door lock. It is what prevents the bolt from sliding out when you close the door. The strike plate can also help reinforce the lock and prevents intruders from breaking in by applying force against the latch and jamb. A strike plate is an large metal plate that is placed in the doorjamb, the vertical portion of the frame. It has a hole through which the latch or deadbolt can pass. When the cylinder turns it shoots the bolt through the strike plate into the doorjamb, securing it shut. There are different kinds of strike plates to choose from, depending on your needs. If you need a strike plate that is compatible to your particular lock it will be listed with the information for the product. In other cases, most strike plates are similar and will work with most standard locks and latches. Most strike plates come with ovular screw holes and a "C-shaped" piece that acts as washer. They are commonly used on doors with rounded corners. They are available in a variety sizes to fit your door. You can increase security by installing strike plates with no lip that is designed for deadbolts. This is an excellent choice for areas where security has to be achieved quickly like staircases. It's also a great choice if you need to protect equipment or documents in your home. Another way to upgrade the security of your door is to install the box strike plate which adds strength and thickness to the strike plate. This makes it harder to break into the door through the deadbolt or latch. It's often required on commercial doors that have a security lock. If your strike plate isn't aligned with the latch bolt, try spraying it with a good lock lubricant. If this does not work, you will have to adjust the strikeplate by drilling new screw holes and widening the catch hole. It is best not to make too many changes to the strike plate. Repetitive and extreme adjustments could result in it becoming useless. The Deadbolt A deadbolt is an iron bolt that binds the door to the doorjamb frame. Deadbolt locks differ from a spring latch found in doorknobs. Instead of being tied with credit cards or with professional tools like latch slips, it can be locked using a key, thumb-turn, or electronically. They offer better protection against forced entry methods like kick-ins and are easy to use with little maintenance. The bolt extends from a socket in the doorjamb which is strengthened by a strike plate for extra security. The bolt should be at a minimum of 1 inch long to make it more difficult to wrench off the door. You should also choose a deadbolt that has an ANSI rating, which indicates how secure the lock is. In addition to securing the bolt, the strike plate also helps to hold the cylinder in place. There should be three holes along the bolt: one, in the center, connects the facepiece and the cylinder. The other two are to the left and right of the central hole. The screws are then inserted into these holes to join the bolt and cylinder. The screws should be included with the new deadbolt. Some locks have decorative covers that are attached to the facepieces. Consult the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that these are properly installed. Selecting the best lock for your home involves contemplating your lifestyle and the level of security you require. Single deadbolts made of cylinders are the popular lock and are found on a variety of exterior doors. Keyless deadbolts are safer however they are difficult to operate. Smart deadbolts permit you to lock and unlock the bolt by voice commands or via a mobile app. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/chelmsford-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ will help you decide what type of lock is right for your home and can install or replace the lock. Upgrade your front-door lock system to improve the security of your home. Consider installing a double-cylinder or reversible deadbolt on the inside of your front door for an additional layer of security.