How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your first protection against unauthorised entry into your home. Locks may need to be replaced because of signs of wear and tear, or other situations such as moving into a new residence or a break-in.
To begin, determine the size of your cylinder using the distance between the adjustment screw and the middle of the cylinder knob. This measurement will allow you to buy the right lock.
Deadbolt
If you’re looking to ensure that your door is secure from criminals, it’s a great idea to install a deadbolt. The bolt extends into the strike plate on the doorframe when it is locked, making it much more difficult for burglars to gain entry through the door. A single-cylinder deadbolt is activated by a key located on the outside and a thumb-turn device that is located inside. A deadbolt will only work if it’s installed correctly, though.
The first step is to determine if the door already has a hole to install a deadbolt or if it requires drilling. Mark the position of the hole for the deadbolt on the exterior of the door using the template that came with your lock installation set. Then, use your tape measure to determine how high the deadbolt needs to be. Mark this high point on the door’s edge. Use the speedsquare to draw a straightline across the mark that you made to mark the bolt hole.
Then, using the power drill, drill out the hole until it is on the opposite side of the composite door lock replacement. This could take a while. Then, sand the hole and the edges of the patio door lock replacement so that it is smooth. It’s also recommended to paint or stain the door at this point.
When the door is in place take off any screws that are visible on the existing deadbolt. This will reveal the front and back assemblies of the deadbolt as well as the bolt inside. Then, unscrew the bolt and replace it with a brand new bolt that matches the door hardware. The bolt is usually attached to a set plate, which you will have to remove. After this, you’ll need to chisel the surface of the door frame to accommodate the strike plate.
If your strike plate is misaligned It’s likely that the previous installer didn’t correctly mortise it or a weatherstripping came along and altered the strike position. To fix this problem it is necessary to remortise both the strike plate and the deadbolt. After this is done check the deadbolt by closing and locking it. Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it after the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
If the knob on your door is worn out it could make your home or business less secure. It can make opening or closing the door more difficult, which is why it’s recommended to replace it. replacing a patio door lock a knob is a relatively easy DIY project and shouldn’t take less than 30 minutes to complete. Make use of pliers or a screwdriver to remove any old knobs or handles. Be careful not to scratch other parts of the door.
Spray WD-40 or another dry lubricant, on the mechanism of your door knob prior to you begin. This will assist the new lock to slide smoothly as you turn it. It is essential to choose the best knob and handle that is compatible with your doors currently in order to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don’t have a doorknob that matches then you’ll have to purchase a replacement locks for patio doors.
Before you begin the replacement process, examine the old knob to determine which screws are that are holding it in place. If there aren’t any screws, you can use a screwdriver to insert between the cover plate and the hidden screws plate and then remove it.
After you’ve removed the knob that was previously used, look it over for indications of damage or rust. You’ll have to scrub it off if you notice any scratches or marks however, you shouldn’t need to do anything major If the knob is in good shape.
It’s time to install the new knob. Begin by examining the new knobs to ensure you’re selecting the correct one for your door. You’ll need to choose one with an extender rod that locks with the rod mechanism of the second knob. After you’ve placed the new knob in the hole then slide it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down, then test the spring by pushing down on it repeatedly. The latch should rise each time. Then, put in the new knob and connect it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws of the interior doorknob through the holes for the cylinder on the exterior knob and fix it in its place.
Latch
A latch is a steel piece that extends into the door jamb to keep it closed. It is operated with a knob or handle on the inside of the door or a thumb turn on the exterior side of the door. A latch can be secured with deadbolts to stop intruders from breaking in through the door’s glass. It also protects against the accidental or deliberate closing of the door by children or pets. The latch can be fitted with one cylinder deadbolt or double cylinder deadbolts according to the security level you prefer.
Installing a deadbolt can be the same as installing a latch, however, there are some distinctions. First, determine the setback of the doorjamb with an instrument to make sure the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of doorjamb all the way to the center of hole for the latch plate. A typical setback is 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inches. If your setback is greater it is possible to purchase a latch that is longer from a locksmith or hardware store.
Next, make a hole for the latch plate in the edge of the doorjamb. Utilize a chisel to smooth out the mortise for the latch, making sure it’s deep enough to allow the faceplate of the new latch to be flush with the doorjamb. Tape the strikeplate to the doorjamb to ensure that it’s positioned properly.
If the strike is too high, you could knock the door down or apply pressure with the tire iron or crowbar. This could also cause cracks in the doorjamb. To remedy this, the strike could be reduced by drilling a second hole into the doorjamb and cutting out the core of the previous hole.
Installing the new strike plate is the final step. This can be done by screwing the new plate over the existing screw holes. Use wood putty then to fill in any existing bolt holes or screw holes that aren’t being used. After the putty is dry you can sand it until it has an even finish.
Strike
The metal piece that engages the deadbolt and latch when the door is shut is an electric strike. It is an essential component of the lock’s overall safety because it prevents the door from opening and gives additional resistance to force or kicking. If a door comes with an electronic strike, it will be opened by using a key and the control unit that regulates its electrical impulses.
Traditionally the installation of an electric strike meant cutting a small portion of the doorjamb in order to remotely release the latchbolt of a circular lock from the pocket in the strike. This modification is not just unattractive however, it also exposes the latchbolt mechanism and keeper to unauthorized users.
Recently, a number of electric strike manufacturers have created an innovative type of electric strike dubbed the “No Cut” strike that doesn’t need an opening in the doorjamb for operation. These strikes have a unique design to allow the keeper and latchbolt to slide into the strike pocket without damaging the faceplate of the doorjamb.
The strike has an internal ramp which lifts the latchbolt as well as the keeper when it receives a signal from an individual reader. The retracting of the keeper as well as latchbolt pushes them up higher on the ramp, which locks the door. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains in at a lower position and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike is an easy task, especially when you are replacing door locks the strike on a previous door. If you’re planning to upgrade an existing access control system to an electric strike, you need to make sure that the new system is compatible. It is also necessary to make sure that the strike is properly connected to your access control system and that it is set up for fail-safe operation.
One way to protect against unauthorized access is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a high-quality strike plate. The plates are made of up to six screws of three inches instead of the usual two screws of three-fourths inches. These longer screws make it harder for anyone to break the frame and reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single cylinder deadbolt.