Door Lock Replacement - What Are the Different Parts of a Door Lock? Faulty door locks can make your home an easy target for burglars. Change your locks is a cost-effective option to improve security without making your door unusable. A lot of locks come with a cardboard template that you can wrap around your door edge to ensure it will fit correctly. This will aid you in avoiding buying the wrong lock. The Cylinder The cylinder, also known as the body of the lock, is the primary component of a traditional mechanical door lock. It houses a collection of spring-loaded pins which lock the door when no key is inserted into the hole. When the key is placed in the hole, the uneven edge of the knob pulls the pins in the cylinder into their proper place. When the pins are place, they allow for the bolt (also known as the latch) to move forward, engaging the door's interior. The bolt extends from the cylinder to the door frame called the box. The box is designed to fit the bolt securely and ensure that it cannot be pulled open easily. A clip spring ensures that the bolt is retracted when the door is closed. When you turn the handle, a spindle is designed to rotate inside the cylinder. The slanted end retracts into the frame of the door when the spindle has finished rotating. The bolt rests on the carved out area of the doorframe and closes the door until you are required to reopen it. A faceplate is a metal plate that attaches to the inside of your door, on either side of the deadbolt hole. Its function is to protect the mechanism of locking from damage caused by the knob's repeated insertion and removal. If you're installing a brand new lock, make sure that the faceplate lines up with the hole in the door frame, and that it's securely secured to the faceplate and the bore of the latch. If you're replacing the door lock ensure that the deadbolt fits correctly by sliding it into the strike plate's opening hole. After https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/bournemouth-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ done you can screw the strike plate and core of the lock back into the hole. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as this could cause damage to the latch and stop it from sitting in its groove properly. You can test the new lock by turning the key with the lock in the locked position. If you find any issues, like a loose latch or a loud deadbolt, it's time to replace the old one with a new lock. The Faceplate A faceplate is a huge flat plate that is attached to the headstock of a lathe to hold the workpiece. The screw thread is wound into the wood through the series of screw holes. Faceplates can be used to support various shapes however, they are more difficult to utilize than a chuck since they must be placed properly, fixed, and balanced. A typical faceplate has a number of mounting holes, in this instance three holes positioned at a 120-degree spacing to accommodate the workpiece mounting screws 18 of FIG. 2. The screw holes are made by an insert that can be interchanged or directly into the body of the faceplate. The faceplate has an incline in the middle that acts as an index mark to indicate an exact location on the blank workpiece. The stepping area is abrasion resistant so that the fastener won't cause damage to the chisel that is used to cut into it. The body's surface of the faceplate is different properties from that of the surrounding region and machining into this area alerts the turner of possible impending contact with a fastener and gives the turner enough time to react. Screws used to secure a faceplate in place must be of a size that fits within the screw hole area with just a small amount of free play. There should be no space left behind the screw once it is tightened onto the glue block, as this could allow the block to move when turning. A heavier gauge screw will also fit more securely on the faceplate. The screw should be inserted into the middle of the screwhole to prevent the possibility that a screwhead will be in contact with the workpiece. The Strike Plate The strike plate is among the most important parts of your door lock. The strike plate prevents the bolt from slipping when you shut the front door. The strike plate is what helps to reinforce the lock's strength and prevent intruders from breaking in by using force against the latch bolt and jamb. A strike plate is an large metal plate that is placed in the doorjamb or the vertical portion of the frame. It has an opening through which the deadbolt or latch can pass. When the cylinder turns and the bolt is pushed through the strike plate into the doorjamb while keeping it closed. There are several different types of strike plates depending on the requirements of your. If you need strike plates that work with your specific lock, it will be listed with the details of the product. The majority of strike plates are identical and work with standard latches and lock. The majority of standard strike plates have Ovular screw holes as well as an "C-shaped" piece that functions as washer. They are usually used on doors with rounded corners. They are available in a variety sizes to match your door. You can enhance security by installing a strike plate with no lip that is designed for deadbolts. This is a good choice for areas that need to be secured quickly, such as stairs. This is an excellent option when you need to protect the equipment or documents in your home. Another option to improve 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 gain entry by using the latch or deadbolt. It's usually required on commercial doors with a security lock. Spray a lock lubricant on the strike plate if it is not aligned with the latch bolt. If this doesn't work, you'll need to adjust the strike plate by drilling new screw holes and enlarging the catch hole. Be careful not to make numerous adjustments to the strike plate since repeated and extreme adjustments can weaken it to the point where it's no longer effective. The Deadbolt A deadbolt lock is a sturdy metal bolt that secures your door to the doorjamb's frame. Deadbolt locks differ from a spring latch found in doorknobs. Instead of being locked using credit cards or by using professional tools, such as latch slips, it can only be locked by the use of a key, thumb-turn or electronically. They provide better protection against forced entry methods like kick-ins and are simple to use with minimal maintenance. The bolt extends from an socket in the doorjamb, which is reinforced by a strike plate for extra security. The bolt should be minimum of 1 inch of length to make it more difficult to remove the door. It is also essential to choose a deadbolt that has an ANSI rating which indicates how securely the lock has been tested. The strike plate also keeps the cylinder in place. There should be three holes along the bolt: one, in the center, connects the facepiece to the cylinder. The other two are to the left and right of the central hole. These are the holes where screws go to attach the cylinder to the bolt. The screws should be standard with the new deadbolt. Some locks have decorative covers that snap on to the facepieces. Follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure that these are properly installed. When choosing the lock for your house take into consideration your lifestyle and the level of security you require. Single cylinder deadbolts, the most common lock type, are found on many exterior doors. Keyless deadbolts are more secure however they can be difficult to operate. Smart deadbolts allow you to lock and unlock the bolt by voice commands or via a mobile application. A professional locksmith can assist you in determining which type of lock is best for your home and will install or change the lock. Upgrade your front door lock to improve the security of your home. For an added layer of security, consider adding a reversible or double-cylinder deadbolt to the outside of your door, too.