How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your first security measure against unauthorized access to your home. Signs of wear and tear, as well as instances like moving into a new residence or burglaries, may trigger the need to replace your lock.
To begin, you must determine your cylinder size by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the middle of the knob lock cylinder. This measurement will allow you to buy the lock that is right for you.
Deadbolt
Installing a deadbolt is excellent way to protect your door from burglars. The bolt extends into the strike plate on the doorframe when locked, making it much more difficult for burglars to gain entry into the door. A single-cylinder deadbolt can be activated by a key located on the exterior, and the thumb-turn mechanism situated inside. Deadbolts are only effective if it's installed correctly, though.
First, you'll need to determine if the door has a hole for deadbolts or has to be bored. With the template included with the lock installation kit, mark the location of the hole for the deadbolt on the door's surface. Use your tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Mark this measurement on the door's edge, and then use a speedsquare to draw a straightline across the mark that you made for the bolthole.
Next, use a power drill to bore this hole until it is on the opposite side of the door. It may take a while. Then, sand down the hole and the edges of the door so that it is smooth. At this stage, it's a great idea also to stain or paint your door.
When the door is open remove any screws visible on the existing deadbolt. This will reveal the front and rear assembly of the deadbolt and its bolt inside. Then, remove the bolt and replace it with a brand new one that matches your door hardware. The bolt is usually connected to a set plate that you have to remove. After this, you'll need to chisel the door frame to accommodate the strike plate.
If your strike plate is not aligned 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 you'll need to remortise both the strike plate and the deadbolt. After this is done Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it. Test patio door lock replacement by closing and locking it after the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
If the knob on your door is worn out it could make your business or home less secure. It could also make opening or closing the door more difficult, which is why it is recommended to replace the knob. Replacing the knob is an easy DIY task that should not take less than 30 minutes to complete. You can use a screwdriver and pliers to get rid of the old knob or handle Be careful not to damage any of the other components on the door.
Before starting you'll need to spray WD-40 or another dry lubricant on the mechanism of the knob on your door. This will help the new lock to slide effortlessly when you turn it. It is essential to choose the best knob and handle that match the doors you currently have to ensure proper operation. If you don't already have a matching doorknob and handle, you'll need to purchase a replacement.
Before you begin the replacement process, examine the old knob to determine which screws are holding it in place. If there aren't screws to hold it in place, you can use a screwdriver to secure the cover plate between the screws plate hidden behind it.
After you've removed your knob that was previously used, look it over for indications of damage or rust. If the knob is damaged or has dents or marks it's time to clean it. Otherwise it shouldn't need any major work.
It's time to install the new knob. First, examine the two 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 second knob. Once you've put the new knob in the door's hole carefully slide it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down and test the spring by pushing down on it repeatedly. The latch should spring up each time. Then, you can install the new knob and connect it with the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws of the interior doorknob through the holes for the cylinder on the exterior knob, and fix it in its place.
Latch
A latch is a piece of metal that extends through the doorjamb to hold 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 latch can be secured using deadbolts to prevent thieves from breaking through the glass. It can also protect against accidental or intentional closing by children or animals. A latch can be set with single cylinder deadbolts or double cylinder deadbolts based on the level of security you prefer.
Installing a latch requires the same steps as installing a deadbolt, but there are a few differences. First, measure the setback of the doorjamb with a tape measure to be sure that the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb up to the center of hole for the latch plate. The standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a higher setback, you may need to purchase a larger latch at a hardware store or locksmith.
Then, drill a hole for the latch plate at the doorjamb's edge. Use a chisel for chiseling out the mortise of the latch making sure it's large enough for the faceplate of the new latch to be flush with the doorjamb. Tape the strikeplate in place to ensure that it's positioned correctly.
If the strike is too high, you could push the door back or apply pressure using an iron tire or crowbar. This can cause the doorjamb to crack. This can be fixed by drilling a new hole in the doorjamb and then cutting the core from the hole that was previously made.
The last step is to put in the new strike plate which is done by screwing it in place over the screw holes that are already in place. Use wood putty then to fill in any old holes for screws or bolts which aren't going to be used. After the putty is dry, sand it to a smooth finish.
Strike
An electric strike is the metal piece where the deadbolt and latch engage when the door is closed. It is a crucial component of the security of a lock, as it helps keep the door shut and provides extra resistance to force or kicks applied to the door. If a door is equipped with an electronic strike, it will be opened only with a key and the control unit that controls its electrical impulses.
In the past, installing an electronic strike required cutting a piece of a doorjamb to remove the latchbolt on a cylindrical lock from the pocket within the strike. This modification is not only undesirable and unattractive, but also exposes the mechanism of the latchbolt and keeper to uninitiated users.
Recently, a number of electric strike makers have come up with a brand new electric strike dubbed the "No Cut" strike that doesn't need a cutout in the doorjamb to function. They use a specific design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without damaging the faceplate of the doorjamb.
The strike has an internal ramp that raises the latchbolt and keeper when it receives a signal from an individual reader. The retracting of the keeper as well as latchbolt pushes them up higher on the ramp, which locks the door. When the door is shut the deadbolt remains in extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.
Installing an electronic strike is a straightforward process, particularly if you're replacing an existing strike. If, however, you are upgrading to an electric strike in an access control system, you will need to make sure your new system is compatible with the kind of lock you have installed. Also, you must make sure that the strike is connected to your access-control system and set up to function in a safe manner.
One method to guard against unauthorized access is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a heavy-duty strike plate. These plates use four to six three-inch screws instead of the two, three-fourth inch screws that are typically employed in regular strikes. These screws are longer, making it difficult for anyone to break the frame and then reach inside to turn the piece that turns the thumb of a single deadbolt cylinder.