How to Replace Door Locks
The first line of defense is your door lock. It can stop unauthorised access to your home. The signs of wear and tear, as well as instances like moving into a new residence or burglaries, could trigger the necessity of replacing your lock.
To begin, you must determine the size of your cylinder using the distance between the adjustment screw and the center of the knob lock cylinder. This measurement will enable you to purchase the appropriate lock.
Deadbolt
If you want to ensure 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 harder for an intruder to get through the door. A single cylinder deadbolt can be activated with an exterior key on the side and a thumb turn part on the interior. Deadbolts will only work when it is properly installed.
You will first need to determine if the door has a hole that is suitable for a deadbolt, or if you have to bore it out. Utilizing the template included 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. Mark this measurement on the door's edge and use speedsquares to draw a straightline across the mark that you made for the bolt hole.
Then, use a power drill to bore out this hole until it is on the opposite side of the door. This may take a while. Then, sand the hole and along the edge of the door until it is smooth. At this point, it's a good idea also to stain or paint your door.
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 and also the bolt that is inside. Then, loosen the bolt and replace it with a new bolt that matches the door hardware. The bolt is usually connected to a set plate, which you will need to unbolt. Once this is done then you need to chisel out the area for the strike plate on the door frame.
If your strike plate is not aligned it's likely that the previous installer didn't correctly mortise it or a weatherstripping was installed and altered the strike position. To fix this problem it is necessary to remortise the strike plate and the deadbolt. Close and lock the deadbolt when you've completed this process. Be sure the bolt is extending into the strike plate then test the key to ensure it closes and opens easily.
Knob
It could make your home or business less secure if the door knob is damaged. It can make opening or closing the door more difficult, which is why it is an ideal idea to replace the knob. Replacing a knob is a relatively easy DIY task that should not take longer than 30 minutes to complete. Use pliers or a screwdriver to take off any knobs or handles. Be cautious not to scratch other parts of the door.
Spray WD-40, or a different dry lubricant, onto the mechanism of your door knob prior to you begin. This will help the new lock to slide smoothly when you turn it. To ensure that it operates properly, it's important to choose a knob and handle that match the doors you already have. If you don't have a matching knob, you'll need to buy an additional doorknob and latch plate.
To begin the replacement process, first examine the old 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 remove it.
After removing the old knob, inspect it for signs of rust and damage. If the knob shows any marks or scratches it's time to clean it. Otherwise, it shouldn't require any major work.
Now is the time to put in the new knob. Before you do that, look over the new knobs to make sure that you're choosing the right one for your door. You'll need to select one with an extended rod that locks with the rod mechanism of the other knob. After you've placed the new knob in the hole then slide it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws downwards and test the spring by pressing down several times. The latch should spring back up each time. Install the second knob and secure it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws of the doorknob's interior through the cylinder holes on the outside knob and secure it in the knob's position.
Latch
A latch is a metal piece that extends into the doorjamb to secure it closed. It is operated by a knob or handle on the inside of the door or a thumb turn on the exterior side of the door. The latch can be secured by a deadbolt to keep thieves from breaking through the glass. It can also protect against accidental or intentional closing by animals or children. The latch can be fitted with single cylinder deadbolts or double cylinder deadbolts, depending on the security level you prefer.
Installing a latch requires the same steps like installing a deadbolt however there are some variations. First, measure the setback of the doorjamb by using a tape measure to be sure that the new lock will fit. The setback is the distance from the edge of the doorjamb to the center of the hole that will be used for the faceplate for the latch. Setbacks for standard latches are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a larger setback, you might need to purchase a larger latch from a hardware store or locksmith.
Then, you'll need to make a hole for the latch plate into the edge of the doorjamb. 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 be close to the doorjamb. Place the strikeplate on the floor to ensure it is positioned correctly.
If the strike is too high, you could knock the door down or apply pressure using the tire iron or crowbar. This can cause the doorjamb's to crack. To correct this, the strike could be lowered by drilling a new hole in the doorjamb and chiseling out the core of the old hole.
The last step is to put in the new strike plate, which can be accomplished by screwing it over the screw holes that are already in place. Then you can use wood putty to cover the old screw holes and the bolt hole that will not be used. After the putty is dry, sand it to a smooth finish.
Strike
An electric strike is a metal piece that holds the deadbolt and latch are engaged when the door is closed. It is an important part of the overall security of a lock because it seals the door and offers additional resistance to force or kicks applied to the door. If a door has been equipped with an electric strike, it can only be opened using a key or the control unit which controls the electrical impulses.
In the past, putting in an electronic strike was as simple as cutting off a part of a doorjamb to remove the latchbolt on a cylindrical lock from the pocket that is inside the strike. This change can be an inconvenience in terms of the appearance of an opening, and it also exposes the latchbolt and keeper mechanism to unintentional users.
Recently, a number of electric strike manufacturers have developed a brand new electric strike called the "No Cut" strike that doesn't need a cutout in the doorjamb to function. 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 has an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives a signal from an individual reader. The retracting of the keeper and latchbolt causes them to rise on the ramp, which locks the door. When the door is shut the deadbolt remains retracted and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike is a simple process, especially if you are replacing the strike on a previous door. However, if upvc door replacement lock to an electric strike in an access control system, you'll need to make sure your new system is compatible with the type of lock you've installed. 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 unauthorized access is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a heavy-duty strike plate. These plates use up to six screws of three inches instead of the usual two screws of three-fourths inch. These screws are longer, making it harder for someone to break the frame and reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single deadbolt cylinder.