How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are the first security measure against unauthorized access to your home. The locks may require replacement because of signs of wear and tear or other circumstances such as moving into a new residence or a break-in.
You can determine the size of your cylinder by measuring the distance from the center of the knoblock cylinder to the adjustment screw. This measurement will allow you to purchase the right-sized lock.
Deadbolt
Installing a deadbolt is a ideal way to secure your door against intruders. The bolt extends into the strike plate on the doorframe when it is locked, making it much more difficult for a burglar to gain entry into the door. A single cylinder deadbolt is activated using an exterior key on the side and a thumb turn device on the interior. A deadbolt will only work only if it's correctly installed however.
It is first necessary to find out if the door has a hole that is suitable for a deadbolt, or if you need to bore it out. Mark the location of the hole to install the deadbolt on the surface of the door using the template that came with your lock installation set. Then, you can use your tape measure to determine how high the deadbolt should be. Mark this high point on the door's edge, and then use a speedsquare to draw a straight line across the mark that you made for the bolt hole.
Then, use a drill to drill this spot until the hole extends to the other side of the door. It may take a while. Then, sand down the hole and along the edge of the door until it's smooth. It's also a good idea to stain or paint the door at this point.
When the door is in place, remove any screws visible on the deadbolt. This will reveal both the front and rear assembly of the deadbolt and its bolt inside. Then unscrew the old bolt and replace it by the new bolt to match the door hardware. You will need to unscrew the bolt from a setplate. Then, you'll need to chisel the door frame for the strike plate.
If your strike plate is misaligned, it's likely because the previous installer didn't correctly mortise it or a weatherstripping popped up and changed the strike's position. You will need to re-mortise the strike plate and perhaps even the deadbolt to fix this issue. Close and lock the deadbolt when you've completed this process. Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it once the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
If a door knob wears out it could make your home or business less secure. It could make it more difficult to open or close the door, so it's recommended to replace it. Replacing a knob is a relatively simple DIY project that shouldn't take less than 30 minutes to complete. You can use a screwdriver and pliers to get rid of the knob or handle that was previously used, but be careful not to scratch any of the other components on the door.
Before starting, you'll want to spray WD-40 or some other dry lubricant onto the mechanism of the knob on your door. This will allow the new lock slide smoothly when you turn it. To ensure proper operation, it's important to choose a knob and handle that match your existing doors. If there's no match then you'll have to purchase a new doorknob and latch plate.
Before you begin the replacement, examine the old knob to determine what 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 plate with hidden screws and pop it off.
After you have removed the knob take it apart and look for evidence of damage or rust. You'll have to scrub it up if there are any marks or dents, but you shouldn't have to do anything major when the knob is in good shape.
It's time to install the new knob. You must first study the two knobs to ensure that you've chosen the right one for the door. You'll want to pick one with an extending rod designed to interlock with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Once you've put the new knob in the hole and then put it in the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down and test the spring by pushing down on it several times. The latch should spring up each time. Install the second knob and secure it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread in the other long screws from the interior knob through the hole in the cylinder of the doorknob on the outside and secure it.
Latch
A latch is a steel piece that extends out into the doorjamb to secure it closed. 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 can be used to secure a latch and stop burglars from piercing the glass of the door. It can also guard against intentional or accidental closing by pets or children. You can install the latch using either a single-cylinder deadbolt, or a double-cylinder deadbolt, depending on your preferred level of security.
Installing a deadbolt is the same as installing a latch, however there are some differences. First, measure the setback of the doorjamb using a tape measure to make sure the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of doorjamb up to the middle of the hole for the latch plate. The standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If your setback is greater than that, you might need to purchase an extra-long latch from a locksmith or hardware store.
Then, drill a hole for the latch plate at the doorjamb's edge. Use a chisel and make the mortise for the latch. Make sure the hole's depth is enough to allow the faceplate to be flush with the doorjamb. Place the strikeplate on the floor to ensure that it's positioned properly.
If the strike is positioned too high, the door could be kicked in or pressure applied to it using a crowbar, or tire iron. This could also cause cracks in the doorjamb. This can be fixed by drilling a new hole into the doorjamb, then chiseling the core out of the hole that was previously made.
The final step is to put in the new strike plate which can be accomplished by screwing it over the existing screw holes. Utilize wood putty to fill in any existing 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 deadbolt and latch when the door is shut is an electric strike. It is an essential component of the lock's overall security because it prevents the door from opening and gives an additional barrier to force or kick. If a door is fitted with an electronic strike, it will be opened only with keys and the control unit that regulates its electrical impulses.
Traditionally the installation of an electric strike involved cutting out a portion of the doorjamb in order to release the latchbolt of a circular lock from the pocket in the strike. This modification is not just undesirable and unattractive, but also exposes the mechanism of the latchbolt and keeper to unauthorized users.
Recently, several electric strikes manufacturers have developed a "No Cut" kind of strike that doesn't require a cutout for operation. These strikes utilize a special design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the strike pocket without damaging the doorjamb faceplate.
The strike is fitted with an internal ramp which lifts the latchbolt as well as the keeper when it receives an indication from the reader. The latchbolt and keeper are lifted higher on the ramp thanks to the retract. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains in extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike is a simple process, especially if you are replacing an existing strike door. However, if you are upgrading to an electric strike to use with an access control system, you will have to ensure that your new system is compatible with the kind of lock you've installed. repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk will also need to make sure that the strike is properly connected to your access control system and that it is designed to operate in a fail-safe manner.
Upgrade your strike plates to heavy duty strike plates to block unauthorised entry. The plates utilize four to six screws of three inches instead of the two, three-fourth inch screws that are typically used in standard strikes. These screws are longer and make breaking the frame to reach the piece that turns the thumb on a single deadbolt cylinder more difficult.