How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your first line of defense against unauthorized entry into your home. The signs of wear and tear, and even instances such as moving into a new residence or burglaries, may trigger the need to replace your lock.
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 appropriate lock.
Deadbolt
If you're looking to ensure that your door is secure against intruders, it's a good idea to install deadbolts. When the bolt is extended into the strike plate of the doorframe, it makes it much more difficult for an intruder to break through the door. A single cylinder deadbolt can be activated using a key on the exterior side and a thumb turn part on the interior. A deadbolt will only work only if it is correctly installed.
First, you will need to determine if the door has a hole to install deadbolts, or if it requires drilling. Using the template that comes with the lock installation kit, mark the location of the deadbolt hole on the door's surface. Use a tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Then, mark this height on the side of the door and use the speed square to draw an even line across the mark you made for the bolt hole.
Then, use a power drill to bore this spot until the hole reaches the other side of the door. This may take a while. Sand the hole and the door edge to smooth it. At this point, it's a good idea also to paint or stain your door.
Once the door is ready take off any screws that are visible on the deadbolt. This will reveal the front and rear assembly of the deadbolt, as well as its bolt inside. Then, remove the bolt and replace it by the new bolt to match the door hardware. The bolt is often connected to a setplate that you need to unbolt. Once this is done then you need to chisel the area for the strike plate on the door frame.
If your strike plate is out of alignment, it could be because the previous installer did not mortise it properly, or a weatherstripping has changed the strike's position. To fix this issue it is necessary to remortise both the strike plate as well as the deadbolt. Once this is completed check the deadbolt by closing and locking it. Make sure that the bolt is extending into the strike plate, and then test the key to ensure it closes and opens easily.
Knob
When a door knob is damaged, it can make your business or home less secure. It may make it more difficult to open or close the door, which is why it's an ideal idea to replace the knob. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. Use a screwdriver or pliers to take off any knobs or handles. Be careful not to scratch the other components of the door.
Before starting, you'll want to spray WD-40 or some other dry lubricant onto the mechanism of the door knob. This will help the lock to move smoothly as you turn it. To ensure proper operation it is important to select the right knob and handle to match your existing doors. If you don't have a doorknob that is compatible and handle, you'll need to buy a replacement.
To begin the replacement process, first look over the knob or handle to see the screws that hold it in place. If there aren't any screws, you can make use of a screwdriver and wedge it between the cover plate and the screws plate hidden and pop it off.
After you've removed your knob, check it for signs of damage or rust. You'll need to clean it off if you notice any marks or dents however, you shouldn't need to do anything if the knob is in good condition.
Now it's time to install the new one. Begin by examining the knobs you've chosen to make sure that you're picking out the right one for your door. You'll need to select one with an extended rod that will interlock with the rod mechanism of the other knob. After you've placed the new knob over the hole in the door carefully place it in the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down, then test the spring by pushing down repeatedly. The latch should pop up every time. Install the second knob, and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws from the interior doorknob through the cylinder holes on the exterior knob, and secure it in its place.
Latch
A latch is a piece metal that extends through the doorjamb to hold it shut. It is operated by a knob or handle on the interior side of the door or by a thumb turn on the outside side of the door. Deadbolts can be used to secure a latch and prevent intrusions from breaking through the glass of the door. It can also guard against accidental or intentional closing by children or animals. You can install the latch using either a single-cylinder or double-cylinder deadbolt based on the level you prefer for security.
Installing a latch follows the same steps as installing a deadbolt, but there are a few variations. To ensure that the new lock will work first, you must take a measurement of the setback on the doorjamb using the tape measure. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb all the way to the center of hole for the latch plate. The standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inches. If your setback is greater it is possible to purchase a latch that is larger from a hardware or locksmith store.
Then, drill a hole for the latch plate in the edge of the doorjamb. Use a chisel for chiseling out the mortise for the latch and ensure it's deep enough to allow the faceplate of the new latch to sit close to the doorjamb. Place upvc door locking mechanism replacement in place to make sure it is positioned correctly.
If the strike is too high, you can push the door back or apply pressure with the tire iron or crowbar. This can cause cracks to the doorjamb. This can be corrected by drilling a new hole in the doorjamb and then chiseling the core out of the old one.
Installing the new strike plate is the last step. This can be done by fixing the new plate to the existing screw holes. Then you can use wood putty to cover the old screw holes and the bolt hole that won't be used. After the putty has dried you can sand it down to give it a a professional finish.
Strike
An electric strike is a metal part where the latch and deadbolt engage when the door is shut. It is an important part of the security of a lock, since it helps keep the door shut and also provides additional resistance to force or kicking applied to the door. If a door is equipped with an electric strike, it can only be opened using a key or the control unit that governs its electrical impulses.
Traditionally, installing an electric strike involved cutting a section of the doorjamb to remotely release the latchbolt of a cylindrical lock from the pocket in the strike. This modification is not just ugly however, it also exposes the latchbolt mechanism and keeper to uninitiated users.
Recently, a variety of electric strike manufacturers have come up with a "No Cut" type of strike that doesn't require a cutout to operate. 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 raises the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives an indication from an individual reader. The latchbolt and keeper are pushed on the ramp thanks to the retract. When the door is closed the deadbolt is retracted and the latchbolt retracts in the keeper.
Installing an electric strike can be a simple process, especially when you are replacing a strike on an existing door. If you're planning to upgrade an existing access control system to an electric strike, you must ensure that the new system is compatible. You will also have to ensure that the strike is connected to your access-control system and is set up to function in a fail-safe way.
One way to protect against access by unauthorized persons is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a robust strike plate. These plates use four to six three-inch screws instead of the two three-fourth inch screws commonly used in standard strikes. These screws are longer, making it more difficult for someone to break the frame and then reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single cylinder deadbolt.