Door Lock Replacement - What Are the Different Parts of a Door Lock?
Door locks that aren't working properly could make your home a to target for burglars. Change your locks 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 your door edge to ensure that it will fit correctly. This will ensure that you don't buy the wrong lock.
The Cylinder
The cylinder, also referred as the body of the lock, is the main part of a traditional mechanical door lock. It houses a series of spring-loaded pins that ensure that the door is locked when there is no key put into the hole. When a key is inserted, the uneven edge of the knob pushes the pins of the cylinder back into their proper place. Once the pins are seated they allow the bolt, also referred to as the latch to move forward and connect the inside of your door.
The bolt extends from the cylinder to an opening in your door frame, which is known as the box. The box is designed in a way that the bolt can't be easily removed. A clip spring holds the bolt retracted when the door is closed. When you turn the handle, the spindle inside the cylinder spins. When it's done rotating the slanted portion of the bolt retracts into the doorframe. The bolt rests on the carved-out part of the doorframe and keeps the door closed until you need to reopen it.
A faceplate is a metal plate that attaches to the interior of your door, either side of the deadbolt hole. Its purpose is to safeguard your locking mechanism from damage that may result from the repeated insertion and removing of your knob. If you're installing an entirely new lock, make sure that the faceplate aligns with the hole in your door frame, and that it's securely secured to the plate and to the bore of the latch.
When replacing the lock on a door, ensure that the deadbolt is seated correctly by sliding it in the opening of the strike plate. Once you're done, screw the strike plate and the core of the new lock into the hole. Do not over-tighten because this could damage the latch or hinder it from fitting into its groove. You can test your new lock by turning the key with the lock in the locked position. If you spot any issues, such as a noisy deadbolt or a loose latch it's recommended to replace the lock with a brand-new one.
The Faceplate
A faceplate is a huge flat plate that attaches to the headstock of a lathe in order to hold the workpiece. The screw thread is wound into the wood using the series of screw holes. Faceplates can accommodate various shapes, but in general they need to be placed properly, balanced and fixed, which are not easy tasks compared to simplicity of the chuck.
A typical faceplate has a number of mounting holes, in this case three placed at 120Adeg spacing to receive the workpiece mounting screws 18 of FIG. 2. The screw holes are made through an interchangeable insert 16 or directly into the faceplate's body. The faceplate features an incline in the middle which acts as an index mark to indicate the exact location of the blank workpiece.
The stepping area is resistant to abrasion so that the fastener does not harm the chisel used to cut it. The faceplate's body has different properties from the surrounding region. The cutting of this area warns the operator of imminent contact with fasteners and allows them time to react.
Screws used to secure the faceplate must have a little free play in the screw hole. When the screw is fastened onto the glue block, there should be no space behind it. This can allow the block during rotation to shift. It is also recommended to use a heavier gauge screw, as it will seat more securely within the faceplate. The screw should pass through the middle of the screwhole in order to reduce the possibility that a screwhead will be in contact with the workpiece.
The Strike Plate
The strike plate is among the most crucial components of your door lock. The strike plate prevents the bolt from slipping when you shut the front door. The strike plate also helps to reinforce the lock and stops intruders from breaking in by applying force against the latch and jamb.
A strike plate is a large metal plate that is placed in the doorjamb, which is the vertical portion of the frame. It has a hole through which the latch or deadbolt can be inserted. When the cylinder turns, the bolt shoots through the strike plate into the doorjamb while keeping it shut.
There are several different types of strike plates based on the requirements of your. If you require a strikeplate that will fit your lock this article will provide it. However, the majority of strike plates are the same and can be used with the majority of standard latches and locks.
The majority of standard strike plates have an ovular screw hole and a "C-shaped" piece that functions as a washer. They are typically used on doors with round corners. They are available in various sizes to fit the door.
For additional security, you can choose a strike plate that has no lip and is designed specifically for deadbolts. This is a great option for areas that must be secured quickly, like stairwells. This is a great choice when you need to protect documents or equipment in your home.
Another option to improve the security of your door is by installing the box strike plate which adds thickness and reinforcement to the strike plate. This makes it more difficult to gain entry through the deadbolt or latch and is often required for commercial doors equipped with security locks.
If your strike plate is misaligned with the latch bolt, try spraying it with a high-quality lock lubricant. If this doesn't work you'll need to adjust the strike plate by drilling new screw holes and widening the hole for the catch. Be careful not to make many adjustments to the strike plate, because repeated and drastic adjustments can weaken it to the point where it's no longer effective.
The Deadbolt
A deadbolt is a steel bolt that connects the door to the doorjamb frame. As opposed to a spring-latch that is used in doorknobs that can be tied (jimmied) using credit cards or professional tools like latch slips, deadbolts are locked with keys, thumb turns, or electronically (in the case of keyless and smart deadbolts). They offer better protection against forced entry techniques like kick-ins, and are easy to use with very little maintenance.
The bolt is positioned from a socket inside the doorjamb which is reinforced by a strike plate to provide additional security. sell should be at a minimum of 1 inch long to make it more difficult to pull off the door. Also, you should select deadbolts that have an ANSI rating, which shows how secure the lock is.
In addition to securing the bolt, the strike plate holds the cylinder in place. Three holes should be drilled across the bolt. One of them connects the facepiece to the cylinder, and the other two are on either side of the central hole. These are the holes where screws are used to connect the cylinder to the bolt. The screws should come standard with the new deadbolt. Some locks have decorative covers which are attached to the facepieces. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer to ensure that they are installed correctly.
Choosing the right lock for your home is contemplating your lifestyle and the security level you need. Single deadbolts made of cylinders are the traditional lock option and can be found on a variety of exterior doors. Keyless deadbolts are secure, but they are more difficult to use. Smart deadbolts allow you to lock and unlock the bolt by voice commands or via a mobile application.
A professional locksmith can help you determine what type of lock is suitable for your home, then install or replace it. Upgrade your front door lock system to increase the security of your home. Consider adding a double-cylinder or reversible deadbolt to the inside of your front door for an extra layer of security.