How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your first protection against unauthorised access to your home. Locks might need to be replaced due to wear and tear or other events such as moving into a new home or a burglary.
To begin, you must determine your cylinder size by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the middle of the cylinder knob. This measurement will allow you to purchase the right-sized lock.
Deadbolt
If you want to ensure your door is secure against 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 more difficult for burglars to gain entry into the door. A single cylinder deadbolt can be activated by a key on the exterior side and a thumb turn device on the interior. Deadbolts will only work if it is installed correctly.
The first step is to determine if the door already has a hole to install deadbolts or has to be bored. Mark the location of the hole to install the deadbolt on the surface of the door using the template included with the lock installation set. Use a tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Then, mark this height on the edge of the door. Use a speed square to draw an even line across the mark you made for the bolt hole.
Then, use a power drill to bore out this spot until the hole reaches the other side of the door. This may take a while. Then, sand the hole and the edges of the door so that it is smooth. At this stage, it's a great idea also to paint or stain your door.
Remove any screws that are visible from the deadbolt. This will reveal both the front and rear assembly of the deadbolt and its internal bolt. Then, remove the bolt and replace it with a new one to match the door hardware. The bolt is often connected to a setplate, which you will have to remove. After this, you'll need to chisel the area on the door frame for the strike plate.
If your strike plate isn't aligned properly It's likely that the previous installer didn't mortise it correctly or a weatherstripping was installed and changed the strike's position. To correct this issue it is necessary to remortise both the strike plate and the deadbolt. Once you have completed this Test the deadbolt by closing it and locking it. Test the deadbolt by closing it and locking it after the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
It can make your business and home less secure when the door knob is worn. It could also make opening and closing the door more difficult, so it is an ideal idea to replace it. Replacing knobs is an easy DIY task that should not take more than 30 minutes to complete. Use pliers or a screwdriver to take off any knobs or handles. Be careful not to harm other components of the door.
Before starting you'll need to spray WD-40 or a different dry lubricant on the mechanism of the door knob. This will help the lock to move smoothly as you turn it. It's essential to select an excellent knob and handle that match the doors you currently have to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don't have a match then you'll have to purchase an additional doorknob and latch plate.
To begin the replacement process, examine the old knob or handle to see what screws 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 pop it off.
After you've removed your knob, check it for signs of rust or damage. If the knob is damaged or has marks or scratches, you'll have to clean it. Otherwise it shouldn't need any major work.
Install the new knob. You must first study the two knobs to make sure that you've selected the right one for the door. You'll need to choose one with an extender rod that is interlocked with the rod mechanism of the second knob. After you've placed the new knob into the hole, slide it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down and then test the spring by pressing down on it repeatedly. The latch should then spring back up each time. Install the second knob, and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Then, thread the other long screws from the interior knob through the cylinder hole on the doorknob on the outside and secure it.
Latch
A latch is a steel piece that extends out into the doorjamb to keep it shut. It is operated with a knob or handle on the interior side of the door or a thumb turn on the outside side of the door. A deadbolt is a device used to secure a latch and keep intrusions from breaking through the glass of the door. It also offers protection from accidental or intentional closing of the door by children or pets. A latch can be set using a single cylinder deadbolt or double cylinder deadbolts depending on the security level you prefer.
Installing a latch requires the same steps as installing a deadbolt, however there are some variations. To ensure that the new lock is compatible first, you must determine the setback of the doorjamb using the tape measure. The setback is the distance between the edge of the doorjamb to the center of the hole for the latch faceplate. Setbacks for standard latches are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a larger setback, you may need to purchase a longer latch from a hardware store or locksmith.
Next, make a hole for a latch plate in the doorjamb's edge. Use a chisel to chisel out the mortise for the latch, making sure it's deep enough to allow the faceplate of the new latch to sit close to the doorjamb. Tape the strikeplate in place to ensure that it's positioned correctly.
If the strike is too high, you could kick the door in or apply pressure with an iron tire or crowbar. This can cause cracks to the doorjamb. To fix this, the strike could be lowered by drilling a new hole into the doorjamb and chiseling out the core of the old hole.
Installing the new strike plate is the final step. This can be done by screwing the new plate into the existing screw holes. Use wood putty afterwards to fill in any old screw holes or bolt holes that aren't being used. After the putty has dried, sand it smooth for an elegant finish.
Strike
The metal piece that engages the latch and deadbolt when the door is shut is an electric strike. It is an essential part of the lock's security, as it prevents the door from opening and gives an additional level of resistance to force or kicking. If repairmywindowsanddoors is fitted with an electronic strike, it will be opened only by an entry key and a control unit that regulates the electrical impulses.
In the past, installing an electronic strike required cutting off a part of a doorjamb to let the latchbolt of a cylindrical lock from the pocket within the strike. This is an inconvenience in regards to the appearance of openings, and it also exposes the mechanism of the latchbolt and keeper to unintentional users.
Recently, a variety of electric strike manufacturers have come up with a "No Cut" kind of strike that does not require a cutout for operation. The strikes have a unique design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without damaging the doorjamb's faceplate.
The strike has an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives an electrical impulse from a reader or controller. The retraction of the keeper and latchbolt pushes them up higher on the ramp, which locks the door. When the door is closed the deadbolt is retracted and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike is an easy task, especially if you are replacing the strike on a previous door. If you are upgrading an access control system to an electric strike, you need to ensure that your new system is compatible. You will also have to make sure that the strike is properly connected to your access control system and is set up to function in a fail-safe manner.
Upgrade your strike plates with heavy duty strike plates to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons. The plates utilize four to six three-inch screws instead of the two, three-fourth inch screws that are typically employed in regular strikes. The longer screws make it harder for someone to break the frame and reach inside to turn the thumb turn part of a single cylinder deadbolt.