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Door Lock Replacement – What You Need to Know When the locks on your door start to exhibit signs of wear and tear, it's usually recommended to replace them. These signs include things like having trouble turning the lock, or a key that isn't fitting. Fortunately, putting in new door lock hardware is actually quite simple. You only need to follow these simple steps. Deadbolt The deadbolt is the door's primary defense against forced entry. It is more durable and secure than the latch that opens the lock, so you'll want to make sure the deadbolt you purchase is sturdy enough for your needs. If possible, choose the deadbolt made of case hardened steel that has no exposed screwheads on the outside to stop unauthorized drilling. To ensure security, the inner side of your deadbolt must be mortised into the door frame. During the process of installation make sure that your new deadbolt's bolt is extending smoothly into the strike plate once you lock and close the door. If not, mortise the bolt into the strike plate with a wood chisel and then install the deadbolt. When you lock and close your door, be sure that the latch of the doorknob meets the hole of the deadbolt. Check that the new deadbolt matches the old one prior to installing it. The majority of door locks include an example of how far the bolt should be above the doorknob. However, it's always recommended to consult an expert in hardware if you are unsure what backset measurement you need for your doors. They will be able to direct you in the direction of models that are compatible with your doors and the existing deadbolt opening. Screw the bolt assembly into the door hole after ensuring it's the right length. Screw the latch faceplate in place if your new deadbolt has one. It is a good idea to fix the latch faceplate onto the frame with the recommended screws in addition. Some lock sets come with a decorative or “dummy” bolt, which allows you to use the keyed-deadbolt, while having an operational latch. If you're given the option, the dummy bolt must be installed using the same screws used to install the faceplate of the latch. This will ensure the highest security. Some deadbolts feature only a single cylinder accessible from the inside using the thumb-turn, whereas others have a double cylinder which allows both keyed and unkeyed access. Whatever type you select it's a good idea to buy a commercial grade lock for the highest level of security. They've been tested to withstand up to 250,000 cycles of opening and closing before they are sold to homeowners. Latch The latch is the part that retracts the bolt whenever you open or close the door. It's usually held in place by screws on the side of the lock, but it can also be attached to the strike plate or to the inside of the jamb. When replacing a door lock, it's important to ensure that you purchase the right one that is compatible with your existing hardware. You can verify this by putting the latch up to your existing hardware or by looking at the label of the replacement. Dunn Lumber carries a variety of brands, but it's generally best to stick with the same brand as your existing hardware to ensure you receive a latch that will fit correctly. Certain doors come with a hasp instead of the latch. A hasp is a piece of strap that has a slot inside it to be able to be inserted over a staple. The staple is then fixed to the door frame or door using a nail. When the door is shut the strap pulls back on the staple and locks in the position. A hasp is typically employed in commercial buildings since it's less expensive than a deadbolt. Like any mechanism that has moving parts, a lock will wear out due to repeated use over time. Sometimes the internal mechanism can “stick” or become difficult to turn. This will require the replacement of the entire lockset. Sometimes, the exterior doorknob or handle may break, and it is necessary to replace it also. If your lock is stuck to the key, you can try putting some graphite in the keyhole. You can either spray it on the key or dust it onto the interior side of the lock, and then move the lock several times to get the graphite into the mechanism. You can also use a screwdriver to remove the knob and reveal the internal components and let you be able to see what's happening inside. Once you've removed all the knobs, locate the two or three cylinder setscrews on the outside of the cylinder and tighten them by turning them clockwise. It is also recommended to remove the faceplate and replace it. Surface-mounted rimlocks also have an additional set of cylinder screws on the back of the case that must be removed as well as the faceplate. Strike Plate The strike plate, which is connected to the door frame above the holes that house the master key or deadbolt system bolt, reinforces and improves the security of a locking mechanism. It wards off intruders by ensuring the latch of the lock is secured in the plate when the bolt is engaged. A strikeplate that is of high-quality can improve the life of locks and increase security. Standard strike plates are flat pieces of metal with holes, or several holes cut into them. It is secured, typically using screws, to the doorway's frame to provide the latch with an area to rest in when it closes. The strike plate has to be aligned precisely with the lockset to provide maximum security against burglaries. If the strike plate of a door is damaged, it must be replaced as soon as is feasible to ensure that the door can close and latch correctly. The first step in replacing the strike plate is to make sure that it is aligned correctly with the bolt hole inside the doorjamb. A simple way to do this is to place tape over the bolt hole and then test the latch by opening and closing the door. If the latch doesn't catch, you must remove the tape and chisel out the area so that the strike plate will be flush with the doorjamb. After the area has been cut out, it is important to use a larger screw to anchor the strike plate. They must be at least 3 inches long 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 wood could split during a kicking attack by an burglar, leaving the door vulnerable. A professional locksmith is able to quickly replace a strike plate that's been damaged or worn out. They can also install new strike plates on doors that have never been fitted with them before. They can also upgrade existing strikeplates to improve the security of a building as well as its aesthetics. This can aid property owners in attracting tenants who want a secure living environment and more peace of mind. Keys The key cylinder inside your lock is the part that allows the key to move pins so that the internal handle can rotate. The key cylinder is the most important part of your door lock as it fulfills the purpose that locks were designed to perform – safeguarding your family, you and your possessions. Rekeying locks is a economical option than replacing them. It is more complicated to replace a lock than to simply swap out the existing handle and deadbolt. Changing the entire lock requires removal of the old cylinder as well as hardware from the door (including the handle in the case of a knob-lock combination) and then installing a new one in its place. There are front door locks replacement chesham of DIY-friendly kits that can be used to replace a door lock. However, it is best to contact an expert locksmith to ensure that the job is done properly. It is important that you have the correct key before you install your new lock and the cylinder. A key that is a duplicate will not work properly and could even cause the lock to fail completely, rendering it impossible to open. A professional can prevent this by ensuring you have a working, real key for your house. The next step is to remove the faceplate, then the latch plate. To take off the screws that hold them in place, you will require the help of a screwdriver. You might want to leave them in place if the plates you are replacing are identical to the original ones. This will help you save time. If you have to replace them, take care not to tighten the screws too much as this could cause them to lose their grip on the door. After taking off the plates, you'll have to determine the proper measurement for the new lock. It is essential to know the door's dimensions prior to visiting the hardware store. While many locksets today will fit in a standard door's thickness, it's better to get them in advance. It is also important to be aware that doorknob locksets can be different sizes from deadbolt locksets. Commercial models can come with a slightly larger latch or bolt.