Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You'll want to lock your french doors safely. This can be done by choosing a lock that keeps your door safe without hindering airflow or altering the aesthetics of your room. French door locks typically come with three-point locking systems, which includes flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel as well as an opening lockset that can be opened. This type of lock isn't easy to crack. How do you fix the problem of a French door that won't lock It can be a serious safety risk in the event that your doors do not latch or lock properly. This could also be a sign of a serious issue such as a broken locking cylinder. Don't worry you can solve the issue by following just a few simple steps. The most common reason for the reason a door won't lock is due to an obstruction that is blocking the latch. It could be as simple as dirt getting stuck in the latch or the latch could be defective. If you take a look at the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the side of the doors that rests against the frame) It is possible to determine the truth. If there is a small tab of metal protruding out from the strike plate gently tap it with a screwdriver until it bends it. This will let the bolt slide in more easily. A latch that is seized is typically due to poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it function better, but will not fix problems with alignment. Installing the strike plate is easy in case you don't have one. The lock body (the part that screws into the door frame) must be removed from the door, and the lock assembly replaced. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/dover-french-door-repairs-near-me/ 'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill to do this, but it's not a major task. To ensure that the lock works as efficiently as possible it is a good practice to regularly lubricate it especially the cylinder. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant to the cylinder and then slowly turn it several times until the cylinder can move freely. It is a good idea to invest in a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, instead of just a standard one. A simple handle twist lock won't be enough to keep intruders out and a standard deadbolt that has an inside-facing thumb-turn of the door could be defeated by breaking the glass and then reaching in through it. How to fix the problem of a French door that isn't latching The issue is usually caused by the latch of the door not connecting properly with the hole in the strike plate. It is usually caused by the hinges being sagging. However, it can be due to a problem with the position of the latch or the latch itself. To help determine which of these causes the problem, apply a lipstick or similar marker to determine the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate. The position of the mark will help you to understand where the problem is If, for instance, it is below the strike plate's hole, the hinges are the likely reason, however If it's above, the latch position may be the cause. It is crucial to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or a lock mechanism on a French Door. This is particularly true if a door has been closed for a prolonged period of time. In this period, the door may have moved a bit. This is most common for composite or timber doors as they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather and the environment. To correct this issue, first remove the latch from the door's edge. Then, remove the locking strip from the handle. Using a sharp chisel, hammer and a chisel, make a larger hole for the strike plate in the door frame. This allows you to place the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is closed, it will shut without catching the frame. After the hole for the latch has been enlarged, carefully place the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then, re-adjust the strike plate using the screw and hammer until it is sitting in a more suitable position, and then test the door. Make any necessary adjustments. The lock cylinder on external French Doors won't turn. This can be due to wear and tear or debris. However, it is usually a simple fix. The lock may be obstructed or the pins of the cylinder wear. It's worth a shot to see if a simple clean can make a difference. If the problem persists it's usually required to replace the entire lock cylinder. How to fix the problem of a French door that isn't opening If your French doors won't lock the way you want them to, it's most likely due to debris and dirt blocking the mechanism of the lock. The first thing you need to do is to check that the frame of the door is free of obstructions and nothing is blocking the mechanism that locks. There might also be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the door to slide on the frame and eventually cause jamming. The mechanism of the lock is fairly simple. The key rotates a spindle which is then able to move a bolt back and forth on a rail. If the handle is moving but the bolt doesn't it means that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are not working properly, or it may just need lubricating. Try using a silicone spray - it comes with a pipe which you can use to channel the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray the spray liberally and then turn the handle to ensure the lubricant has gotten to all the parts of the mechanism. It is also possible to change the location of the latch on the French door. This is easy to do and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors are new they will be capable of screwing the latch and handle in the right position without a problem. If they're old then you'll be required to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door as well as the latch on the door frame using a template included in the lock kit. Make the hole for the handle or knob at the proper height. It is typically about 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill a smaller hole on the outside of the door to install the latch. Once the hole has been drilled, you need to ensure that the latch plate is correctly set over the strike plate of the door frame. If it doesn't, then the deadbolt may not retract into the strike plate when you press the lever to lock. The latch plate will then have to be screwed in the correct position. Fixing a French Door That Won't Close The latch on a French Door can get stuck and won't close. This renders the doors inoperable. There's often a simple fix for this but it could require taking down one of the doors, especially if they are heavy. In most cases, the latch is not aligned properly with the strike plate, jamb on the door or both. The dead bolt might not be fully extended or extended or. Misalignment can occur over time because of weather or settlement. It is sometimes difficult to open the door if it is stuck. To fix this, loosen the screws holding the hinge to the frame and then, add shims to make the door raised or lower. This will make the latch closer to lock mechanism and fix the problem. If the latch doesn't fit inside the strike plate hole, you can solve the issue by loosening the screw holding the strike plate, and then using a metal planer or electric file to trim the edges until the latch fits. This could also mean removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it larger should it be necessary. Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage properly. If you're using a newer lock system, this could indicate an issue with the cylinder that locks. If the lock is not working properly, you'll have remove it and look for obvious damage. Replace the old weatherstripping on the exterior of a door when you feel drafts entering. This will create a secure seal and help to keep the doors from sticking or locking incorrectly. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps you might encounter are sealed. Install the sweeps on top and bottom of the door.