Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You'll want to lock your french doors securely. You can accomplish this by selecting a lock system that will ensure your door is secure without blocking airflow or impacting the aesthetic look of your home. French door locks are typically a three-point lock system that includes flush bolts at the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and an operable door. This system is hard to break. How to fix a French Door that won't lock If your doors aren't locking or don't latch properly, it can be a serious safety risk. It could be an indication of a more serious problem like a damaged or damaged locking cylinder. But don't worry, the issue is fixable with just a few steps. A door that won't latch is usually due to an obstruction blocking it. It could be as simple as dirt getting stuck in the latch, or the latch may be defective. If you look at the strike plate (the metal piece on the inside of the doors which sits against frame) It is possible to determine if it is true. If you notice a tiny metal stub sticking out from the strike plate gently tap it using a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to slide in more easily. A latch that is seized could be due to improper installation or a poor alignment. Lubricating the latch can help it function better, but it doesn't solve the issue of how it aligns with the strike plate. If you don't have a strike plate, it is easy to install one. You will need to remove the body of the lock from the door (the part that attaches to the frame of the door) and replace the complete lock with a new one. This is an easy task that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and power drill. To make sure that the lock operates effectively it is a good practice to lubricate it frequently especially the cylinder. Use a silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key, then rotate it several times, slowly until the cylinder is able to move freely. It is a good idea to get double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, rather than just a standard one. A lock that is a twist on the handle will not be enough to stop intruders as a door deadbolt that has a thumb-turn can be destroyed if you smash the glass. How to fix an French door that isn't latching Often the issue is caused by the door latch not properly working with the strike plate hole. It is often caused by the hinges being sagging. However, it can also be due to an issue with the position of the latch or the latch itself. You could use a marker, such as lipstick, or a similar marker, to identify which one is responsible. The position of the mark will help you to understand where the problem is - for example, if it makes contact below the strike plate hole then hinges are likely to be the cause, but when it's above, the position of the latch could be the cause. When installing handles or an entirely new lock mechanism for an external French Door it's important that the latch and strike plate hole locations are correctly aligned. This is especially true if a door has been closed for a prolonged period of time. In this period the door might be a little shifted. This is especially common with timber or composite doors because they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather 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 using a sharp chisel and hammer, you can increase the strike plate hole on the door frame. This will permit the latch to be placed in a better position for the door and when the door is opened and closed it will close easily without catching or rubbing on the frame. Once the latch hole has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch into the strike plate hole and screw it into. Next, re-adjust the strike plate using the screw and hammer until it is in the correct position, and then check the door. Make any necessary adjustments. Another issue that is common to external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder doesn't turn. This can be due to debris or wear and tear. However, it is generally a simple fix. The lock may be obstructed, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. A simple clean can make a world of difference to the functioning of the mechanism, and it's well worth giving this a try. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/oldham-french-door-repairs-near-me/ continues, it may be necessary to replace the lock cylinder. How do fix a French door that isn't opening If your French door doesn't lock because of dirt or debris, it is likely that the lock mechanism is obstructed. The first thing you need to do is check the frame of the door is free of obstructions and that there is nothing blocking the mechanism that locks. There could also be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the door to sway onto the frame and ultimately lead to jamming. The mechanism for locking is simple. A key rotates the spindle, and then moves a bolt up and down on the rail. If the handle moves but the bolt does not there is a problem, then something is not working. There could be a problem with the mechanics of the lock, or it could just need lubricating. Try using the silicone spray. It comes with a pipe that can be used to direct the lubricant into the mechanism of the lock. Spray generously and then turn the handle until the lubricant has gotten to all of the mechanisms. You may also have to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. It is usually possible to do this from the outside. If you're French doors are new and brand new, you'll be able to screw the handle and latch in the right position without a problem. If your French doors are older, you'll have 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 should be. Then drill the hole for the handle/knob at the right height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the door's edge to install the latch. After the hole has been made, you must make sure that the latch plate is positioned over the strike plate of the door frame. If the latch plate does not fit correctly the deadbolt won't retract into strike plate when you pull the lever to lock. The latch plate will have to be screwed in place. Repairing a French Door that isn't closing Sometimes, the latch on the latch on a French door gets stuck so it isn't able to close, making the doors unusable. This is usually a simple problem to fix, however it may require removal of one of the doors that are heavy. In most cases, 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 conditions or the settlement of the house. It can be difficult to open a door that is stuck. To resolve this issue take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame and then put in shims so the door is raised or lowered. This will bring the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and will solve the issue. In the same way, if the latch isn't able to get into the strike plate's hole on the jamb of the door typically, you can solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate, and using a metal file or electric planer to remove some of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. This might also require removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger should it be it is necessary. The locks on French doors can sometimes fail to latch properly. If you have a more recent lock system it could be an indicator of an issue with the cylinder that locks. If the lock isn't working properly, you'll have take it off and examine for visible damage. Replace the weatherstripping you have on the outside of a door that is older if you notice drafts coming in. This will form a tight seal and prevent the doors from sagging. 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 with each other at the bottom.