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Door Lock Replacement – What You Need to Know When the locks on your door begin to exhibit signs of wear and tear it's an ideal time to replace them. These signs can include things like difficulty turning the lock or finding a key that doesn't fit. It is good to know that installing new door lock hardware is actually quite simple. All you have to do is follow these steps. click to find out more is the primary protection of your door against forced entry. It is stronger and more secure than the latch that activates the lock. So, you'll want to make sure that the new deadbolt you purchase meets your requirements. If possible, look for deadbolts that are made of case hardened steel and no exposed screw heads on the outside to avoid unintentional drilling. To ensure security, the inside of the deadbolt should be drilled into the door frame. During the installation process make sure that your new deadbolt's bolt is extending smoothly into the strike plate once you lock and close the door. If it doesn't, use a wood chisel to mortise the bolt hole in the strike plate and then put the deadbolt back in place. Make sure the doorknob's latch aligns with the hole in the deadbolt when you close and lock the door, too. Before installing the new deadbolt, make sure that it is the same size of the previous one. Most door locks come with a template that tells you how high above the doorknob the bolt should be. However, it's best to talk to an expert at an hardware store if you're not sure of the backset measurement that is suitable for your doors. They should be able to point you to models that will work with your doors and existing deadbolt opening. Install the bolt assembly into the door hole, after making sure that it is the right length. If the new deadbolt comes with a latch faceplate, screw it in place as well. It's an excellent idea to attach the latch faceplate with the recommended screws to the frame. Some lock sets include some lock sets have a “dummy” or decorative bolt so you can install the deadbolt with a key and still have a working latch. If you're able to choose that the dummy bolt is installed, it must be installed using the same screws used to attach the faceplate for the latch. This will ensure the highest security. Some deadbolts feature only a single cylinder accessible from the inside with the thumb-turn, whereas others have a double cylinder which allows both keyed and unkeyed access. No matter which type you choose, it's a good idea to buy a commercial grade lock to ensure the highest security. These are typically tested to last for 250,000 cycles of open and close before being sold to homeowners. Latch The latch is the part that retracts the bolt when you open or close the door. It's usually held in place by screws on the side of the lock, however 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 correct one for the hardware you have. You can either put the latch up against the existing hardware or examine the label on a new. Dunn Lumber offers a wide range of brands. However, it's best to select a brand that matches the hardware you already have. This will ensure that the latch you purchase will fit correctly. Some doors feature the appearance of a hasp, instead of latch. A hasp is made up of a strap with a slot punched into it that is able to be positioned over a staple. The staple is then nailed to the frame of the door or door using a nail. When the door is shut and the strap is pulled, it pulls the staple down and locks it in place. Commercial buildings use a hasp because it is less expensive than locks. Locks wear out over time like any other mechanism that has moving parts. Sometimes, the internal mechanism can begin to “stick” and become difficult to turn, requiring to replace the entire lockset. Sometimes, the exterior doorknob can be damaged and it is important to replace it too. If your lock is stuck it is possible to try using some graphite in the keyhole. You can either dust or spray it on the key, then turn the lock a few times to work in the graphite. You can remove the knob using the help of a screwdriver. This will expose all the parts and allow you to know what's going on inside. Once you've removed all the knobs, look for the cylinder's two or three setscrews along the edge of the cylinder. Tighten the screws by turning counterclockwise. 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, fixed to the door frame above the holes that house the master key or deadbolt bolt of the system, reinforces and upgrades a locking mechanism. It keeps intruders at bay by ensuring the latch of the lock is caught in the plate when the bolt is engaged. Apart from enhancing security, a high-quality strike plate can also improve the durability of the lock. Standard strike plates are flat plates made of metal with a hole or a series of holes, cut into them. It is secured, typically by screws, to the frame of a doorway to give the latch an area to rest in when it closes. It is crucial that the strike plate be precisely aligned with the lockset in order to ensure maximum security against break-ins. If the strike plate of a door is damaged, you should replace it as soon as you can. This will ensure that your door can close and latch correctly. The first step when replacing the strike plate is to ensure that it is properly aligned with the bolt hole in the doorjamb. This can be done by placing a piece of adhesive tape over the bolt hole, and then attempting to test the latch. If the latch doesn't work then take off the tape. Then chisel the area to ensure that the strike plate is aligned with the doorjamb. After the area has been removed, it is important to use a longer screw to anchor the strike plate. They should be at least three inches long to ensure they are securely secured to the stud that is behind the trim board. If you don't install the screws that are longer and the wood in the doorjamb may split in the event of a kick-in attack by a burglar and make the door vulnerable. A professional locksmith can swiftly replace a strike plate that's become worn or damaged. They can also put an entirely new strike plate on the door that hasn't had one before. Additionally, they could upgrade existing strike plates to enhance a building's security and improve appearance. This can assist property owners in attracting tenants who want a secure living environment and more peace of mind. Keys The key cylinder is a part of your lock that accepts a particular key to move pins into position so that the internal handle can be turned. The key cylinder is also the most important part of your door lock as it carries out the function that locks were created to perform – safeguarding you, your family and your belongings. Rekeying locks is a more economical option than replacing them. The procedure of replacing locks is more difficult than simply replacing the existing deadbolt or handle-lock combination. A complete change in the lock requires removal of the old cylinder as well as hardware from the door (including the handle in the case of a knob-lock combo) and installing a new one in its place. Although there are a variety of DIY-friendly kits that can be used to replace a lock on your own, it is recommended that you contact a skilled locksmith to make sure the job is done right. It is crucial to have the right key before you install your new lock and cylinder. A duplicate key won't function properly and may even cause the lock to fail, making it impossible to open. A trained professional can help you avoid this by making sure you have a real, working key for your home. The next step is to take off the faceplate, then the latch plate. To remove the screws that hold them in place, you will need an screwdriver. If the new plates are going to be similar to the original ones, you might want to keep them in place to speed up the process. If you need to replace them, be careful not to overtighten screws as this can reduce their grip. After removing the plates, you will need to measure for the new lock. It is important to know the dimensions of your door before visiting the hardware store. Although a lot of locksets available are designed to fit a standard door thickness, it's better to have them in advance. Doorknob locksets can be different sizes from deadbolt locks and commercial models may come with a larger latch or bolt.