How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are the first security measure against unauthorized access to your home. Locks might need to be replaced because of signs of wear and tear, or other situations like moving into a new house or a burglary.
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 allow you to purchase the right-sized lock.
Deadbolt
If you want to make sure your door is secure from burglars, it's a good idea to install a deadbolt. The bolt extends into the strike plate on the doorframe when it is locked, making it much more difficult for a burglar to break in through the door. A single-cylinder deadbolt is activated with a key on the outside and a thumb-turn device that is located inside. Deadbolts are only effective when it's properly installed, though.
First, you'll need to determine if the door has a hole for a deadbolt or if it has to be bored. Mark the location of the hole for the deadbolt on the surface of the door by using the template supplied with your lock installation set. Then, use the tape measure to determine how high the deadbolt needs to be. Mark this height on the door edge. Use a speedsquare to draw a straightline across the mark that you made for the bolt hole.
Then, using an electric drill, bore through the hole until it reaches the opposite side of the door. This may take some time. Then, sand down the hole and the edge of the door so that it is smooth. It's also an excellent idea to stain or paint the door at this point.
Remove any screws that are visible from the deadbolt. This will reveal both the front and rear assemblies of the deadbolt and its bolt inside. Remove the bolt and replace it with an alternative bolt that matches your door hardware. The bolt is often connected to a set plate, which you will have to remove. After this is done, you will need to cut out the space for the strike plate on the door frame.
If your strike plate is not in alignment It could be due to the previous installer didn't mortise it properly, or an installation of a weatherstripping altered the strike's position. You will need to re-mortise the strike plate and possibly even the deadbolt to fix this issue. Once this is completed Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it. Make sure the bolt extends into the strike plate, and then test the key to ensure it opens and closes easily.
Knob
It could make your home or business less secure if the door knob is worn. It can also make opening and closing the door more difficult, so it's recommended to replace it. It shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes. You can use a screwdriver as well as pliers to remove the old knob or handle, but be careful not to scratch any other parts on the door.
Before starting, you'll want to spray WD-40 or some other dry lubricant on the mechanism of the knob on your door. This will help the new lock to slide effortlessly when you turn it. It's important to use the best knob and handle that matches your doors currently in order to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don't have a matching knob you'll need to purchase a new doorknob and latch plate.
Before you begin replacing the knob, examine the old knob to see what screws are that are holding it in place. If there aren't any screws you can use a screwdriver to insert between the cover plate and the plate with hidden screws and remove it.
After you've removed your old knob, examine it for any signs of rust or damage. You'll have to scrub it off if you notice any marks or dents, but you shouldn't have to do anything If the knob is in good working order.
Install the new knob. You should first examine the two knobs to make sure that you've selected the right one for the door. You'll need to select one with an extending rod that locks with the rod mechanism of the second knob. Once you've put the new knob in the hole in the door, carefully place it in the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws downwards and test the spring by pressing down on it repeatedly. The latch should then spring back up every time. Then, put in the new knob and connect it to the rod mechanism on the previous knob. Thread in replacement door lock from the knob's interior through the cylinder hole on the exterior doorknob and lock it in place.
Latch
A latch is a metallic piece that extends into the doorjamb in order to hold it closed. The latch is operated via a knob or handle located inside the door, or by a thumb-turn on the outside. The latch can be secured using deadbolts to prevent thieves from breaking through the door's glass. It also provides protection from the accidental or deliberate closing of the door by children or pets. You can install the latch using either a single-cylinder or double-cylinder deadbolt, depending on your preferred level of security.
Installing a latch involves the same steps similar to installing a deadbolt however, there are a few differences. First, measure the setback of the doorjamb by using a tape measure to be sure the new lock will fit. The setback is the distance between the edge of the doorjamb to the middle of the hole for the latch faceplate. The standard setback is 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.
Next, make a hole for a latch plate into the edge of the doorjamb. Use a chisel for chiseling out the mortise for the latch, making sure it's deep enough to allow the faceplate of the new latch to be flush 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 could push the door back or apply pressure using the tire iron or crowbar. This can also cause the doorjamb to crack. This can be fixed by drilling a new hole through the doorjamb, then chiseling the core out of the old one.
Installing the new strike plate is the last step. This can be done by screwing the new plate over the existing screwholes. Utilize wood putty to fill in any existing screw holes or bolt holes that aren't being used. Once the putty is dry, sand it smooth for an elegant finish.
Strike
An electric strike is the metal piece where the deadbolt and latch engage when the door is shut. It is an essential component of the lock's security because it stops the door from opening and gives additional resistance to force or kick. If a door is fitted with an electronic strike, it will be opened by using keys and the control unit that controls its electrical impulses.
In the past, installing an electronic strike required cutting a portion of a doorjamb in order to remove the latchbolt on a cylindrical lock from the pocket inside the strike. This modification is not just unattractive however, it also exposes the latchbolt mechanism and the keeper to intruders.
Recently, several electric strikes manufacturers have developed a "No Cut" type of strike that doesn't require a cutout for operation. The strikes have a unique design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without causing damage to the faceplate of the doorjamb.
The strike is equipped with an internal ramp that raises the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives a signal from the reader. The latchbolt and keeper are pushed higher up the ramp by the retraction. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.
Installing an electronic strike is a straightforward procedure, particularly in the case of replacing an existing strike. However, if you're upgrading to an electric strike in an access control system, you will need to make sure your new system is compatible with the kind of lock you've chosen to install. It is also necessary to ensure that the strike is properly wired to your access control system and is designed to operate in a fail-safe manner.
One way to protect against access by unauthorized persons is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a robust strike plate. These plates use up to six screws of three inches instead of the standard two screws of three-fourths inch. The longer screws make it harder for people to break the frame and then reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single deadbolt cylinder.