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Door Lock Replacement – What You Need to Know It is a good idea for you to change your locks when they start to exhibit signs that they're worn out. These signs include things like having trouble turning the lock, or having a key that doesn't fit. It is good to know that installing new hardware for your door locks is actually very easy. You only need to follow these simple steps. Deadbolt The deadbolt is the main protection of your door against forced entry. It is stronger and more secure than the latch which activates the lock. So, you will want to make sure that the deadbolt you choose to purchase is compatible with your needs. If you can, select a deadbolt made of case-hardened steel that doesn't have exposed screwheads on the exterior to prevent unauthorized drilling. To enhance Repair My Windows And Doors , the inside of your deadbolt must be drilled into the door frame. During installation, make sure that the bolt on your new deadbolt extends smoothly through the strike plate while you close and lock the doors. If not, you can mortise the bolt into the strike plate using a wood chisel and then install the deadbolt. Make sure the doorknob's latch aligns with the hole in the deadbolt when you close and lock the door, too. Verify whether the new deadbolt is compatible with the old one before installing it. The majority of door locks come with a design that tells you how far over the doorknob the bolt should be. However, it's always best to consult an expert at an hardware store if you're not sure what backset measurement is suitable for your doors. They will be able to direct you to models that will work with your doors and the existing deadbolt opening. Screw the bolt assembly into the door hole, after making sure that it is the right length. Screw the latch faceplate in the hole if the new deadbolt comes with one. It is a good idea to fix the latch faceplate onto the frame with the recommended screws, and also. Some lock sets come with a decorative or “dummy” bolt that allows you to use the keyed-deadbolt and still have an operational latch. If you have this option the dummy bolt must be installed with the same screws as your faceplate of the latch and it's crucial that the two bolts are positioned in a secure way to ensure maximum security. Some deadbolts have only a single cylinder accessible from inside with the thumb-turn, whereas others have a double cylinder that permits both keyed and non-keyed access. It is recommended to select an item that's commercial grade for maximum security. They're typically tested to withstand 250,000 cycles of opening and closing before being sold to homeowners. Latch The latch is the component of the lock that retracts the bolt to open and close the door. It's usually secured by screws located on the sides of the lock, but it can also be attached to the strike plate or to the inside of the door jamb. It is crucial to replace a door latch with the right one for your existing hardware. You can check by putting the latch up to the hardware you have already, or you can look on the label of the replacement. Dunn Lumber offers a wide range of brands. However, it is recommended to select the same brand that matches your existing hardware. This will ensure that the latch you buy will fit correctly. Certain doors have the appearance of a hasp, instead of a latch. A hasp is an elastic strap with a slot punched into it that can be placed over a staple. The staple is then fixed to the door frame or door using nails. When the door is shut, the strap pulls the staple down and secures it into the frame. Hasps are typically used in commercial buildings because it's less expensive than a deadbolt. Like any mechanism that has moving parts, a lock will wear out from repeated use over time. Sometimes, the internal mechanism could “stick” or become difficult to turn. This will require the replacement of the entire lockset. Sometimes, the doorknob on the outside will be damaged and it is important to replace that as well. If your lock is stuck, you can apply some graphite to the keyhole. You can either dust or squirt it on the key, and then turn the lock a couple of times to work in the graphite. You can also employ a screwdriver for the removal of the knob and reveal the internal components and allow you to observe what's happening inside. After taking the knobs off and tightening the three or two setscrews on the outside of the cylinder by turning them clockwise. The faceplate needs to be removed and replaced. Surface-mounted rimlocks also have an additional set cylinder setscrews on the back case which must be removed as well as the faceplate. Strike Plate The strike plate acts as a reinforcement and upgrade to a locking system. It is placed to the holes for deadbolts or master key system bolts. It helps keep intruders out by ensuring that the latch of the lock is caught by the strike plate when the bolt or latch is engaged. In addition to enhancing security, a top-quality strike plate can also enhance the durability of the lock. A standard strike plate appears like a flat, metal plate with an opening or set of holes cut into it. It is affixed to the door frame, typically using screws, to give the latch something to sink into when it closes. The strike plate has to be aligned precisely with the lockset to provide maximum protection against burglaries. If the strike plate on the door is damaged, you should replace it as soon as possible. This will ensure that the door can close and latch properly. The first step to replace a strike plate is to make sure that it is properly aligned with the bolt hole in the doorjamb. A simple way to do this is to put a piece of tape in the bolt hole and then test the latch by opening and closing the door. If the latch does not catch, you must remove the tape and then chisel the area to ensure that the strike plate will be flush with the doorjamb. After the area is cut out, it is important to use a larger screw to fix the strike plate. They must be at least 3 inches in length to ensure that they are anchored securely into a stud which is behind the trim board. If you do not install the longer screws, the doorjamb's wooden frame may split during a kickin attack by a burglar, leaving the door vulnerable. A professional locksmith will quickly replace a damaged or worn-out strike plate. They can also install new strike plates on doors that have never been fitted with them before. They can also upgrade existing strikeplates to increase the security of a building and its appearance. This could assist property owners in attracting tenants who want a safer living environment and more peace of mind. Keys The key cylinder of your lock is the part that receives the key to move pins so that the inside handle can rotate. The cylinder is also the most crucial component of your door lock since it performs the job that locks were created to protect your family, you and your belongings. Rekeying locks is a cost-effective option than replacing them. It is more complicated to change the lock than simply change the handle and deadbolt. Changing the entire lock requires taking the old cylinder and hardware from the door (including the handle if you have a knob-lock combo) and putting a brand new one in its place. There are numerous DIY-friendly tools that can be used to replace a door lock. However, it is recommended to call an expert locksmith to ensure that the job is done properly. Before installing the new cylinder and lock it is essential to have the right key for your home. A duplicate key will not perform as expected and could cause the lock to fail, making it impossible to open. A skilled professional can assist you in avoiding this by making sure you have a working, genuine key for your home. Next, you will need to take off the faceplate and latch plate. You will require a screwdriver to remove the screws which hold them in place. You may want to keep them in place if the plates you are replacing are identical to the originals. This will cut down on time. If you need to replace them, make sure not to overtighten the screws since this can weaken their grip on the door. After removing the plates you will need measure for the new locks. While most modern locksets can fit on a standard thickness of door, it is best to know the dimensions of your door prior to installation to avoid a headache when you visit the hardware store. Doorknob locksets tend to be different sizes from deadbolt locks and commercial models may come with a larger latch or bolt.