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Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement

You want to lock your french doors with security. You can do this by selecting a lock that will keep your door secure without blocking airflow or impacting the appearance of your home.

French door locks are usually an all-point lock system that has flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel and an operable door. This system can be difficult to break into.

How to fix a French Door that won't lock


It could be a major security risk when doors don't lock or latch properly. repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk could also be an indication of a serious problem such as a broken locking cylinder. But don't worry about it, the issue can be fixed with just a few steps.

Most often, a door that won't lock is due to an obstruction that blocks the latch. 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 that is on the inside of the doors which sits against frame) You can determine if it is true. If there is a small metal tab sticking out of the strike plate, gently tap it with a screwdriver and hammer it to bend it slightly, this will allow the hole to be opened in the plate and allow bolts can slide into the door more easily.

A seized latch could be the result of improper installation or an improper alignment. Lubricating the latch can make it function better, but it will not solve the issue of the way it lines up with the strike plate.

If you don't have a strikeplate it's simple to install one. You'll need to take the lock body from the door (the part that is screwed into the frame of the door) and replace the complete lock with a new one. This is a straightforward job that requires a Phillips head screwdriver and a power drill.

It is recommended to lubricate the new lock especially the cylinder regularly to make sure it works as well as possible. Utilize a lubricant made of graphite or silicone to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key, and then turn it several times until the cylinder moves freely.

A double-cylinder deadbolt is more secure than a standard deadbolt when it comes to French doors. A handle twist lock will not be enough to deter burglars as a door deadbolt with a thumb-turn could be defeated if you break the glass.

Fixing a French Door That Won't Latches

The problem is often caused by the latch of the door not interacting properly with the hole of the strike plate. This is typically due to sagging hinges, however it could also be a problem with the position of the latch or the latch itself. You could use a marker, such as lipstick, or a similar marker, to determine which is the culprit. The location of this mark will help you determine the source of the issue If, for instance, it makes contact below the strike plate hole, then hinges could be the probable reason, however when it's above, the position of the latch could be the reason.

It is essential to be sure to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or a lock mechanism on the French Door. This is especially the case if one door has been closed for a long amount of time. In this time, the door could have moved. This is especially common with wooden and composite doors because they are prone to contraction or expansion based on the weather or environment.

To fix this, first remove the lock latch from the door's edge and unscrew the locking strip from the handle. Then using a sharp chisel and hammer, increase the strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow the latch to be placed in a more suitable location for the door and when the door is shut and opened it will close smoothly without catching or rubbing on the frame.

After the latch hole is enlarged, place the new latch on the strike plate and screw it into. Then, re-adjust the strike plate using the hammer and screw until it is sitting 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 could be due to debris or simply wear and tear, however it is usually easy to fix. Most of the time, the lock is obstructed, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. It's worth trying to see if a quick cleaning can result in a change. If the problem persists it's usually required to replace the entire lock cylinder.

Repairing a French Door That Won't Open

If your French doors aren't locking the way you want, the issue is most likely caused by dirt and debris blocking the lock mechanism. The first thing you should take is to ensure that the frame of the door is free of obstructions and that nothing is blocking the mechanism that locks. It could be that the French frame of the door and the French door are not aligned properly. This can cause the door to slide over the frame, which can eventually result in jamming.

The mechanism behind the lock is pretty simple - the key turns a spindle that then moves a bolt back and forth on the rail. If the handle moves but the bolt does not it means that something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics aren't working or it might need lubricating. Try using a silicone spray - it will come with a pipe you can use to channel the lubricant into the mechanisms of the lock. Spray the spray liberally and then turn the handle until the lubricant has gotten to all parts of the mechanism.

It is also possible to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. It is typically possible to do this from outside. If your French doors are brand new and brand new, you'll be in a position to screw the handle and latch in place without difficulty. If your French doors are older, you will need to use the templates included in the lock kit to mark the location where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame need to be. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly approximately 36 inches above the floor) and then make a smaller hole along the edge of the door to install the latch.

Once the hole has been dug, 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 properly, the deadbolt will not retract into strike plate when you pull the lock lever. Finally, you will need to screw the latch plate in the correct position.

Fixing a French Door that isn't closing

Sometimes, the latch on the latch of a French door is stuck and it isn't able to close, making the doors effectively unusable. This is usually a straightforward issue to fix, however it could require the removal of one of the doors that are heavy. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch isn't aligned either with the strike plate or with the door jamb or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't extended or retracted completely. The misalignment can happen in time, as a result of weather conditions, or due to the shifting of the home.

It is sometimes difficult to open doors that are stuck. To fix this you need to loosen the screws that hold the hinge to the frame and then add some shims so the door is raised or lowered. This will get the latch closer to the lock mechanism and solve the issue.

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 an electric or a metal file to cut off some of the edge until the latch is able to fit. This might also require removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it larger in the event that it is necessary.

The locks on French doors are often unable to engage properly. If you have a more recent lock system, this could be a sign of an issue with the locking cylinder itself. If the lock is not functioning properly, you'll need take it off and examine for any visible damage.

Replace the weatherstripping that was installed on the exterior of a door that is older when you feel a draft coming in. This will create a secure seal and will to keep the doors from sticking or locking improperly. Door sweeps can be added to fill in any gaps. If you do this, make sure to install the sweeps on both sides of the door, and that they overlap with each other at the bottom.

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