How to Replace Door Locks

The first security measure is your door lock. It can stop unauthorised access into your home. Locks might require replacement locking mechanism for upvc doors due to signs of wear and tear or other events such as moving into a new house or a break-in.

To begin, determine your cylinder size by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the middle of the cylinder knob. This measurement will allow you to buy the lock that is right for you.

Deadbolt

If you want to ensure your door is secure against intruders, it's a good idea to install a deadbolt. The bolt extends into the strike plate that is on the doorframe when locked, making it more difficult for a burglar to gain entry through the door. A single-cylinder deadbolt can be activated using a key on the exterior and a thumb-turn device located on the interior. A deadbolt will only work when it is properly installed.

The first step is to determine if the door has a hole for deadbolts or needs to be bored out. Utilizing the template included with your lock installation kit, mark the location of the deadbolt hole on the door's surface. Then, use your tape measure to determine how high the deadbolt needs to be. Then, mark this height on the side of the door. You can then use the speed square to draw a straight line across the mark you made for the bolt hole.

Then using an electric drill, bore out the hole until it reaches the opposite side of the door. This could take a bit of time. Sand the hole and edge of the door to smooth it. It's also an excellent idea to paint or stain the replacement upvc door locks at this point.

Remove any visible screws from the deadbolt. This will reveal both the front and rear assemblies of the deadbolt and its bolt inside. Then, remove the bolt and replace it by an alternative bolt that matches your door hardware. It is necessary to remove the bolt from the setplate. Once this is done it is time to chisel out the area for the strike plate that is 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 an installation of a weatherstripping altered the strike position. It is necessary to re-mortise the strike plate and perhaps even the deadbolt to fix the issue. Close and lock the deadbolt when you've completed this step. Be sure the bolt is extending into the strike plate then test the key to make sure it is able to open and close effortlessly.

Knob

If a door knob wears out it could make your business or home less secure. It could also make it harder to open or close the door, which is why it's an ideal idea to replace door lock it. Replacing the knob is an easy DIY project and shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to complete. Make use of pliers or a screwdriver to remove any knobs or handles. Be cautious not to scratch the other components of the door.

Spray WD-40, or another dry lubricant, on the mechanism of your door knob before you begin. This will allow the new lock to slide smoothly as you turn it. It is essential to choose an excellent knob and handle that match your doors currently in order to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don't already have a matching doorknob, you will need to purchase a new one.

To begin the upvc replacement door locks process, first look over the knob or handle to determine the screws that hold it in place. If there are no screws then you can use the screwdriver to wedge the cover plate between the screws plate that is hidden.

After you've removed your knob, check it for any signs of rust or replace door lock damage. If the knob shows any scratches or marks then you'll need clean it. Otherwise, it shouldn't require any major work.

Install the new knob. You must first study the two knobs in order to make sure that you are choosing the appropriate one for your door. You'll need to select one with an extending rod that is interlocked with the rod mechanism of the second knob. After you've placed the new knob into the hole and then put it in the latch.

Test the spring by pressing down on it repeatedly. The latch should rise each time. Then, you can install the new knob and interlock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Attach the other long screws from the knob's interior through the hole for the cylinder on the doorknob outside and lock it in place.

Latch

A latch is a piece of metal that extends into the doorjamb to hold it closed. It is operated by a handle or knob on the inside of the door, or a thumb turn on the exterior side of the door. Deadbolts can be used to secure a latch and prevent burglars from piercing the glass of the door. It also provides protection from the accidental or deliberate closing of the door by pets or children. The latch can be fitted with single cylinder deadbolts or a double cylinder deadbolt, based on the level of security you prefer.

Installing a latch involves the same steps similar to installing a deadbolt but there are a few differences. First, measure 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 all the way to the center of hole for the latch plate. Setbacks for standard latches are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If your setback is greater than that, you might need to purchase a latch that is larger from a hardware or locksmith store.

Then, drill a hole for the latch plate at the doorjamb's edge. Use a chisel for chiseling out the latch mortise and ensure it's deep enough to allow the faceplate of the new latch to sit in a flush position with the doorjamb. Place the strike plate in place to make sure it's in the right position.

If the strike is too high, you can knock the replacement upvc door lock down or apply pressure using an iron tire or crowbar. This can also cause the doorjamb's to crack. To correct this, the strike could be reduced by drilling a second hole in the doorjamb and chiseling out the center of the previous hole.

Installing the new strike plate is the final step. This can be done by fixing the new plate to the existing screw holes. Then, use wood putty to cover the screw holes that were previously used and the bolt hole that won't be used. Once the putty has dried, sand it to an even finish.

Strike

An electric strike is the metal piece that holds the deadbolt and latch are engaged when the door is shut. It is a crucial component of the security of a lock, as it seals the door and provides extra resistance to force or kicking applied to the door. If a door is fitted with an electronic strike, it can be opened only by keys and the control unit that controls its electrical impulses.

In the past, installing an electronic strike was as simple as cutting a piece of a doorjamb in order to remove the latchbolt on a cylindrical lock from the pocket inside the strike. This modification can be an issue in terms of the aesthetics of an opening as well as exposing the latchbolt and keeper mechanism to unauthorized users.

Recently, several electric strike makers have come up with a new type of electric strike, dubbed the "No Cut" strike that doesn't require a cutout in the doorjamb to function. The strikes have a unique design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without damaging the doorjamb's faceplate.

The strike has an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives the signal of an individual reader. The keeper and latchbolt are lifted higher up the ramp due to retraction. When the door is shut the deadbolt remains extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.

Installing an electric strike can be an easy task, especially when you are replacing an existing strike door. If, however, you are upgrading to an electric strike for an access control system, you'll need to make sure your new system is compatible with the kind of lock you have installed. It is also necessary to ensure that the strike is connected to your access control system and is set up for fail-safe operation.

Upgrade your strike plates with heavy duty strike plates to stop unauthorized entry. These plates are fitted with four to six three-inch screws instead of the two, three-fourth inch screws that are typically used in regular strikes. The longer screws make it more difficult for anyone to break the frame and then reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single cylinder deadbolt.