Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You'll want to lock your french doors securely. This can be done by choosing the right lock that will keep your door secure while not hindering airflow or altering the aesthetics of your room. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/sutton-french-door-repairs-near-me/ have three-point locking systems, which includes flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and the door's lockset that can be opened. This type of lock isn't easy to penetrate. How to fix a French door that won't lock It could be a major safety issue if your doors don't latch or lock properly. It could also be a sign of a bigger issue, such as a cracked or damaged locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue can be fixed with a few easy steps. The majority of the time, a door that won't close is because of an obstruction that is blocking the latch. This could be as simple as a piece of dirt that has gotten stuck in the lock or it could be an issue with the latch itself. You can check if this is the case by examining the strike plate (the metal piece that is placed against the frame on the inside of the door). If there is a small metal tab protruding from the strike plate gently tap it using a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to slide into the door more easily. A seized latch could be the result of improper installation or poor alignment. Lubricating the latch can make it to function better, but it doesn't solve the issue of the way it lines up with the strike plate. If you do not have a strike plate it's simple to install one. It is necessary to remove the body of the lock from the door (the part that attaches to the frame of the door) and replace the entire lock assembly with a brand new one. You'll require a Phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill for this, but it's not a major task. It is recommended to ensure that the lock is lubricated particularly the cylinder regularly to make sure it works as well as it can. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant for this. Apply the lubricant to the key, and then turn it several times slowly until the cylinder is able to move freely. It's an excellent idea 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 intruders as a door deadbolt that has a thumb-turn can be defeated if you break the glass. Repairing a French Door That Won't Latches The issue is often caused by the latch of the door not interacting properly with the hole in the strike plate. This is usually due to sagging hinges, however it could also be due to the position of the latch or the latch itself. To help determine which is the cause, use lipstick or a similar marker to determine where the latch is in contact with the strike plate. The location of this mark will help you to determine the source of the issue For instance, if it contacts below the strike plate hole then the hinges are the likely cause, but If it's above, the latch's position could be the cause. When installing handles or an entirely new lock mechanism for an external French Door it's important that the strike plate and latch holes are aligned correctly. This is especially true when a door has been closed for an extended period of time. During this period the door may have moved a little. This is particularly common with composite and timber doors, as they are susceptible to expansion or contraction depending on the weather conditions or the surrounding environment. To fix this, first remove the lock latch from the active door's edge and unscrew the locking strip from the handle. Then using a sharp chisel and hammer, enlarge the strike plate hole on the door frame. This will allow you to put the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is shut, it will close without catching the frame. After the latch hole is increased, insert the new latch inside the strike plate and screw it into. Then, adjust the strike plate using the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the proper position. Test the door. Make any adjustments needed. Another common problem with external French Doors is that the lock's cylinder doesn't turn. This could be caused by debris or simply wear and tear, however it is usually easy to fix. The lock may be blocked or the pins of the cylinder are worn. It's worth a try to see if a simple cleaning can make a difference. If the issue is not resolved, it is often required to replace the entire lock cylinder. How to fix a French door that won't open If your French doors do not lock the way you want, the issue is most likely due to debris and dirt blocking the mechanism of the lock. Checking that the door frame is clear and that there is nothing blocking the locking mechanism is the first thing you need to do. There could be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This can cause the door to sway onto the frame and ultimately result in jamming. The mechanism for locking is simple. A key turns a spindle, which then moves the bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle moves but the bolt does not it means that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are faulty or it could require lubrication. Try using a silicone spray - it comes with a pipe that you can use to channel the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray generously then turn the handle to make sure that all components of the lock mechanism are lubricated. There is also the possibility of having to adjust the location of the latch on the French door. This is a simple task and is typically done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors are new they will be able to screw the latch and handle into the right position without a problem. If they're old then you'll need to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the frame of the door using a template provided with the lock kit. Drill the hole for the knob or handle at the appropriate height. This is typically around 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill smaller holes on the outside of the door to install the latch. After the hole has been drilled, you need to make sure that the latch plate is correctly placed over the strike plate of the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit properly, the deadbolt will not retract into the strike plate if you pull the lock lever. In the end, you'll have to screw the latch plate in the correct position. How do fix an French door that won't close The latch on a French Door can get stuck and won't close. This can render the doors inoperable. This is usually a simple issue to resolve, but it may require the removal of one of the heavy doors. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch is misaligned either with the strike plate, or with the door jamb or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't extended or fully retracted. The misalignment could occur in the course of time due to weather conditions or settling. If the latch is stuck, it can be difficult to open, however it's usually easy to fix the problem by loosening the screws that hold the hinge to the frame, and then inserting shims to make the door a bit higher or lower. This will bring the latch closer to lock mechanism and fix the problem. Similarly, if the latch isn't getting into the strike plate hole on the jamb of the door it is usually possible to solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate and using an electric or a metal planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate until the latch is able to fit. If needed, you may have to take off the strike plate in order to chisel out the hole. Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage correctly. If you're using a newer lock it could indicate an issue with the cylinder that locks. It is necessary to remove the lock and inspect it for obvious obstructions or damage and if it's not working properly you may need to replace it. Replace the weatherstripping you have on the exterior of an older door when you feel a draft coming in. This will create a secure seal and will to keep the doors from sticking or locking improperly. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps you might encounter are sealed. If you decide to do this, make sure to install the sweeps on both sides of the door and that they overlap with each other at the bottom.