How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your first line of defense against unauthorized entry into your home. The locks may require replacement because of signs of wear and tear or other circumstances such as moving into a new home 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 assist you select the appropriate lock.
Deadbolt
Installing a deadbolt is great way to secure your door from burglars. When the bolt is extended into the strike plate of the doorframe, it makes it much more difficult for an intruder through the door. A single-cylinder deadbolt is activated by a key located on the exterior, and the thumb-turn mechanism situated inside. A deadbolt will only work only if it's correctly installed however.
First, you must determine whether the door already has an existing hole for a deadbolt, or if you'll need to bore it out. Utilizing the template included with the lock installation kit, mark the location of the hole for the deadbolt on the door's surface. Utilize your tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Then, mark this height on the side of the door. You can then use a speed square to draw a straight line across the mark you made for the bolt hole.
Then, use a drill to bore this area until the hole is on the opposite side of the door. This may take a while. Then, sand down the hole and the edges of the door so that it's smooth. At this moment, it's a good idea also to paint or stain your door.
Remove any screws that are visible from the deadbolt. This will reveal the front and back assemblies of the deadbolt, as well as the bolt inside. Then, loosen the bolt and replace it with a brand new bolt that matches your door hardware. You will need to unscrew the bolt from the setplate. After that then you need to chisel out the area for the strike plate on the door frame.
If your strike plate is not in alignment it could be because the previous installer didn't mortise it correctly or a weatherstripping has changed the strike position. To fix this problem it is necessary to remortise both the strike plate and the deadbolt. Close and lock the deadbolt when you have completed this step. Be sure the bolt extends into the strike plate, and then test the key to make sure it closes and opens effortlessly.
Knob
If a door knob wears out, it can make your business or home less secure. It can make it difficult to open or close the door, which is why it's recommended to replace the knob. Replacing a knob is a relatively easy DIY task that should not take longer than 30 minutes to complete. You can use a screwdriver or pliers to get rid of the knob or handle that was previously used Be careful not to scratch any other parts on the door.
Before starting you'll need to spray WD-40 or another dry lubricant on the mechanism of the knob for your door. This will allow the new lock to move smoothly when you turn it. It's essential to select the best knob and handle that is compatible with the doors you currently have to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If there's no match then you'll have to purchase an additional doorknob and latch plate.
To begin the replacement process, first look over the knob or handle to find the screws that hold it in place. If there aren't understanding , you can use a screwdriver to wedge between the cover plate and the plate with hidden screws and remove it.
After removing the old knob, inspect it for signs of rust and damage. If the knob shows any dents or marks, you'll have to clean it. Otherwise it shouldn't need any major work.
Install the new knob. It is important to first look over the two knobs to make sure that you've chosen the appropriate one for your door. You'll want to pick one with an extending rod that's designed to lock into the rod mechanism on the second knob. Once you've put the new knob in the door's hole, carefully place it in the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws downwards and test the spring by pressing down repeatedly. The latch should rise each time. Install the second knob and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws from the interior doorknob into the holes for cylinders on the exterior knob, and lock it into place.
Latch
A latch is a metal piece that extends out into the doorjamb to secure it shut. It is operated by a handle or knob on the interior side of the door, or a thumb turn on the exterior side of the door. The latch can be secured using deadbolts to stop thieves from breaking through the glass. It also helps protect against intentional or accidental closing by animals or children. You can choose to install an entry point with either a single-cylinder deadbolt or double-cylinder deadbolt depending on the level of security.
Installing a latch involves the same steps like installing a deadbolt however, there are a few variations. First, determine the setback of the doorjamb with a tape measure to make 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. Standard setbacks are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a larger setback, you might need to purchase a more substantial latch at a hardware store or locksmith.
The next step is to drill an edge bore hole into the doorjamb to accommodate the latch plate. Use a chisel to chisel out the mortise for the latch, making sure it's deep enough for the faceplate of the new latch to sit in a flush position with the doorjamb. Tape the strike plate in place to make sure it's in the right position.
If the strike is too high, you can knock the door down or apply pressure with an iron tire or crowbar. This could also cause cracks in the doorjamb. To fix this issue, the strike can be lowered by drilling another hole in the doorjamb and cutting out the core of the previous hole.
The last step is to mount the new strike plate, which can be done by screwing it in place over the existing screw holes. Then you can use wood putty to cover the holes from the previous screws and the bolt hole that is not used. After the putty has dried then sand it to a smooth finish.
Strike
The piece of metal that connects the deadbolt and latch when the door is shut is an electric strike. It is a vital component of the overall security of a lock as it helps keep the door shut and also provides additional resistance to kicking or force 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 which controls its electrical impulses.
In the past, installing an electronic strike required cutting off a part of a doorjamb, which would remove the latchbolt on a cylindrical lock from the pocket inside the strike. This modification can be an inconvenience in regards to the aesthetics of an opening, and it also exposes the latchbolt and keeper mechanism to any unauthorised users.
Recently, a variety of electric strike manufacturers have created a "No Cut" type of strike that doesn't require a cutout in order to operate. The strikes have a unique design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without causing damage to the doorjamb's faceplate.
The strike is fitted with an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives the signal of the reader. The keeper and latchbolt are lifted higher on the ramp thanks to the retract. When the door is shut, the deadbolt remains in place and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electronic strike is a simple procedure, especially in the case of replacing an existing strike. However, if you are upgrading to an electric strike to use with 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 need to ensure that the strike is connected to your access control system and is set up for fail-safe operation.
Upgrade your strike plates to high duty strike plates to stop the entry of unauthorized persons. The plates are made of up to six screws of three inches instead of the usual two screws of three-fourths inches. The longer screws make breaking the frame to reach the thumb turn piece on a single deadbolt cylinder more difficult.