Door Lock Replacement - What Are the Different Parts of a Door Lock?
A damaged door lock could make your home a target for burglars. Changing your lock can be an inexpensive way to improve security without making your doors inaccessible.
A lot of locks come with a cardboard template that you can wrap around the edge of your door to make sure it will fit properly. This will ensure that you don't buy the wrong lock.
The Cylinder
The cylinder is the primary component of a mechanical door lock. It houses a set of spring-loaded pins that keep the door locked when no key is inserted into the hole. When a key is placed into the doorknob the uneven edge presses upwards on the pins inside of the cylinder, fitting them to their correct positions. When the pins are in place, they allow the bolt (also called the latch) to move forward, engaging the inside of your doors.
The bolt extends from the cylinder into a hole in your door frame called the box. The box is designed so that the bolt can't be easily pulled out. A clip spring keeps the bolt in place when the door is closed. When you twist the handle, a spindle is designed to rotate inside the cylinder. Once it's completed rotating the slanted side of the bolt is retracted into the doorframe. The bolt is positioned in the carved-out area of your doorframe, keeping the door shut until you need to open it once more.
A faceplate is an internal metal plate that is fixed to your door on either side of the hole for the deadbolt. Its function is to protect the mechanism of locking from damage caused by the knob's continual inserting and removal. If you're installing an entirely new lock, ensure that the faceplate aligns with the hole in the door frame and that it's securely secured to the plate and to the latch bore.
When replacing the lock on a door make sure that the deadbolt is properly seated by sliding it in the the strike plate. After that then screw the strikeplate as well as the the lock's core into the hole. Be careful not to over-tighten, as this can cause damage to the latch and stop it from sitting in its groove properly. You can test your new lock by rotating the key with the lock in the locked position. If you find any issues, like loose latches or a noisy deadbolt, it's time to replace your old lock with a brand new lock.
The Faceplate
A faceplate is a huge flat plate that is attached to the headstock of a lathe in order to hold the workpiece. The screw thread is wound into the wood via several screw holes. Faceplates can be used to support different shapes, but they are more difficult to utilize than a chuck since they must be placed in a fixed position, balanced, and fixed.
A typical faceplate is fitted with a variety of mounting holes. In this case three holes are located at 120 degrees to receive the mounting screws 18 in FIGURE. 2. The screw holes can be machined either through an interchangeable insert 16 or directly into the faceplate body. The faceplate features an incline in the middle that acts as an index mark to locate the exact location of the blank workpiece.
Repair My Windows And Doors stepping area has been designed to be resistant to abrasion so that the fastener won't harm the chisel that you use to cut it. The body's surface of the faceplate is different properties from that of the surrounding area and machining into this region alerts the turner of possible impending contact with a fastener and gives the turner enough time to react.
Screws used to hold a faceplate into place must be of a size that fits inside the screw hole, leaving only a little free play. There should be no space left behind the screw once it is tightened on the block of glue, as this may allow the block to move when turning. A screw with a greater gauge will also seat more securely on the faceplate. The screw should also pass through the middle of the screw hole in order to reduce the possibility of the screw head coming into contact with the workpiece.
The Strike Plate
The strike plate is an important element of the door lock. It is what prevents the bolt from sliding out when you close the door. The strike plate is also what helps to reinforce the strength of the lock and stop intruders from breaking in by using force against the jamb and latch bolt.
A strike plate is a large metal plate that installs in the doorjamb (the vertical portion of the frame) with a hole that allows the deadbolt or latch to pass through. When the cylinder is turned the bolt is released from the strike plate into the doorjamb and keeps it closed.
There are many different kinds of strike plates based on your needs. If you need a strike plate to fit with your lock it will be listed with the information for the product. Otherwise, most strike plates are the same and will work with most standard locks and latches.
Standard strike plates are usually equipped with ovular screws and the "C"-shaped piece that functions as washer. They are usually used on doors with rounded corners. They are available in a variety sizes to match your door.
You can enhance security by using a strike plate with no lip, which is designed for deadbolts. This is a good option for areas that require to be secured quickly, like stairs. It's also a great choice if you need to protect equipment or documents in your home.
Installing a box strikeplate will increase the security of your doors. It gives more thickness to the strike plate, and also strengthens it. This makes it more difficult to get into the door through the deadbolt or latch. It's usually required on commercial doors with a security lock.
If your strike plate is not aligned with the latch bolt, try spraying it with a good lock lubricant. If this doesn't work, then you'll need to adjust the strike plate by drilling new screw holes and enlarging the hole for the catch. Be careful not to make too many adjustments to the strike plate, since repeated and extreme adjustments can weaken it to the point that it's no longer effective.
The Deadbolt
A deadbolt is a metal bolt that binds the door to the doorjamb frame. Deadbolt locks differ from a spring-latch found in doorknobs. Instead of being able to be loided with credit cards, or with professional tools like latch slips, it can only be locked using a key, thumb-turn, or electronically. They are simpler to use and require less maintenance. They also offer greater protection against forced entry methods such as kick-ins.
The bolt extends from a socket in the doorjamb, which is strengthened by a strike plate to provide extra security. The bolt should be minimum of 1 inch in length to make it harder to remove the door. It is also recommended to select deadbolts with an ANSI rating, which shows how secure the lock is.
The strike plate also helps to hold the cylinder in place. Three holes should run along the bolt. The one in the middle connects the facepiece to cylinder, and the other two are on either side of the central hole. These are where the screws connect the cylinder to the bolt. The screws should come standard with the new deadbolt. Some locks have decorative covers that snap onto the facepieces. Check the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure that they are properly installed.
Selecting the best lock for your home requires considering your lifestyle and what security level you need. Single cylinder deadbolts are the most popular type of lock are used on many exterior door. Keyless deadbolts may be more secure but more difficult to use. Smart deadbolts allow you to lock and unlock them using voice commands or an app on your mobile.
A professional locksmith can help you determine which lock is suitable for your home, and then install or replace it. Upgrading your front-door locking system is a low-cost method to increase your home's security. For an added layer of protection, think about adding a reversible double-cylinder deadbolt on the inside of your door, too.