How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your primary line of defense against unauthorized access to your home. 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.
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 purchase the right-sized lock.
Deadbolt
If you want to ensure your door is secure against burglars, it's a good idea to install a deadbolt. The bolt extends into the strike plate on the doorframe when locked, making it much more difficult for burglars to gain entry through the door. A single-cylinder deadbolt can be activated using a key on the exterior and a thumb-turn device that is located inside. Deadbolts can only function only if it is correctly installed.
You will first need to determine whether the door already has an existing hole for a deadbolt or if you'll need to bore it out. Mark the location of the hole to install the deadbolt on top of the door by using the template supplied with your lock installation set. Use your tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Mark this height on the door edge, and then use speedsquares to draw a straightline across the mark you made to mark the bolt hole.
Next, use a power drill to drill this hole until it is on the other side of the door. This could take a while. Sand the hole and the door edge to make it smooth. At this stage, it's a great idea also to stain or paint your door.
Remove any screws that are visible from the deadbolt. This will reveal the back and front assemblies of the deadbolt and also the bolt that is inside. Then, unscrew the bolt and replace it with a new one that matches the door hardware. You will need to unscrew the bolt from a setplate. After this, you'll need to chisel the surface of the door frame for the strike plate.
If your strike plate is misaligned, it's likely because the previous installer didn't properly mortise it or a weatherstripping came along and changed the strike's position. You'll need to re-mortise the strike plate and possibly even the deadbolt itself to fix the issue. Close and lock the deadbolt when you've completed this process. Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it once the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
It could make your home and business less secure If the knob on your door is worn. It may make it difficult to open or close the door, making it recommended to replace it. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. You can use a screwdriver and pliers to remove the knob or handle that was previously used Be careful not to harm any of the other components on the door.
Before you start, you'll want to spray WD-40 or a different dry lubricant onto the mechanism of the knob for your door. This will allow the new lock to slide smoothly as you turn it. To ensure that it operates properly it is important to select the knob and handle that match your existing doors. If you don't have a matching knob you'll need to purchase an additional doorknob and latch plate.
Before you begin the replacement, examine the old knob to determine which screws are holding it in place. If there aren't any screws, you can use the screwdriver to insert the cover plate in between the screws plate that is hidden.
After you've removed the knob, check it for signs of damage or rust. If the knob shows any dents or marks it's time clean it. Otherwise it shouldn't need any major work.
It's time to install the new knob. Begin by examining the two new knobs to ensure you're picking out the right one for your door. You should select one that has an extending rod designed to interlock with the rod mechanism on the second knob. After you've placed the new knob in the hole in the door, carefully place it in the latch.
Test the spring by pressing it repeatedly. The latch should spring up every time. Then, you can install the new knob and lock it with the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread in the other long screws from the knob's interior through the hole in the cylinder of the doorknob outside and lock it in place.
Latch
A latch is a piece metal that extends into the doorjamb to secure it closed. The latch can be operated via a knob or handle located inside the door, or by a thumb-turn on the exterior. A latch can be secured with deadbolts to stop intruders from breaking in through the glass. It also provides protection from accidental or intentional closing of the door by pets or children. A latch can be installed with single cylinder deadbolts or double cylinder deadbolts, depending on the security level you prefer.
Installing a deadbolt can be the same as installing a latch, but there are some differences. First, you must measure the setback of the doorjamb with a tape measure to make sure the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb all the way to the center of hole for the latch plate. A standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inches. If your setback is higher, you may need to purchase a latch that is larger from a locksmith or hardware store.
The next step is to drill an edge bore hole through the doorjamb for the latch plate. Utilize a chisel to smooth 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. Tape the strikeplate in place to ensure it's placed correctly.
If the strike is too high, you could push the door back or apply pressure with the tire iron or crowbar. This can cause the doorjamb to break. This can be corrected by drilling a new hole through the doorjamb, and removing the core from the old one.
Installing the new strike plate is the last step. This can be accomplished by screwing the new plate into the existing screwholes. Use wood putty then to fill in any old screw holes or bolt holes that won't be used. Once the putty is dry then sand it to a smooth finish for an elegant finish.
Strike
The piece of metal that connects the latch and deadbolt when the door is closed is an electric strike. It is an essential part of the lock's security, as it prevents the door from opening, and also provides an additional level of resistance to force or kicking. If a door is equipped with an electric strike, it can be opened by an entry key or the control unit which controls the electrical impulses.
Traditionally, installing an electric strike involved cutting a small portion of the doorjamb in order to remotely remove the latchbolt of a cylindrical lock from the pocket in the strike. This modification can be an issue in regards to the appearance of openings as well as exposing the mechanism of the latchbolt and keeper to any unauthorised users.
Recently, a number of electric strike makers have come up with a brand new electric strike called the "No Cut" strike that doesn't require an opening in the doorjamb for operation. These strikes utilize a special design to allow the keeper and latchbolt to slide into the strike pocket without marring the faceplate of the doorjamb.
The strike has an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives an electrical impulse from a controller or reader. The retraction of the keeper and latchbolt causes them to rise on the ramp, thereby locking the door. When the door is closed, the deadbolt stays at a lower position and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike is a simple process, especially if you are replacing an existing strike door. 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 chosen to install. It is also necessary to ensure that the strike is connected to your access control system and that it is configured for fail-safe operation.
door lock replacement to protect against access by unauthorized persons is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a heavy-duty strike plate. The plates are made of up to six screws of three inches instead of two screws of three-fourths of an inch. The longer screws make it difficult for people to break the frame and reach inside to turn the thumb turn part of a single cylinder deadbolt.