Door Lock Replacement - What Are the Different Parts of a Door Lock?
A broken door lock can make your home an easy target for burglars. Changing your lock can be an inexpensive method 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 it will fit properly. This will help you avoid purchasing the wrong lock.
The Cylinder
The cylinder is the main component of a mechanical door lock. It is made up of a set of spring-loaded pins that hold the door shut even when there is no key in the hole. When the key is inserted into the hole, the uneven edge of the knob pushes the pins of the cylinder back into their proper position. Once the pins are in place, they allow the bolt (also called the latch) to move forward, connecting to the door's interior.
The bolt extends from the cylinder into the door frame called the box. The box is designed to fit the bolt securely, so that it can't be pulled open easily. The bolt retracts by a spring clip when the door closes. When you twist the handle, a spindle is designed to rotate inside the cylinder. The slanted end retracts into the frame of the door once the spindle is finished rotating. The bolt rests on the carved-out region of your doorframe, securing the door shut until you are required to open it again.
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 shield your locking mechanism from damage that could result from the repeated insertion and removing of your knob. If you're installing a new lock, ensure that the faceplate aligns with the hole in your door frame and that it's securely fastened to the plate and to the latch bore.
When replacing locks on doors make sure the deadbolt is correctly seated by sliding it in the opening of the strike plate. When you're finished, screw the strike plate and the core of your new lock into the hole. Do not over-tighten because this could damage the latch or prevent it from fitting into its groove. It's a good idea to test the new lock by turning the key while it's in the locked position. If you find any issues, like a loose latch or a loud deadbolt it's time to replace your old lock with a new lock.
The Faceplate
A faceplate is a flat plate that mounts to the headstock of a lathe to hold the workpiece. The screw thread is wound into the wood through the series of screw holes. Faceplates can be used to support various shapes but they are more difficult to employ than a chuck as they need to be positioned in a fixed position, balanced, and fixed.
A typical faceplate comes with a number of mounting holes, in this instance three placed at 120Adeg spacing to receive the workpiece mounting screws 18 of FIG. 2. These screw holes are made by using an interchangeable insert 16, or directly into the faceplate body. An intermediate portion of the faceplate is a stepped area which serves as an index to pinpoint a specific location on the workpiece blank.
The stepping region is resistant to abrasion so that the fastener does not cause damage to the chisel that is that is used to cut into it. The faceplate's body has different properties from the surrounding region. The cutting of this area warns the operator of impending contact with fasteners and allows them time to react.
Screws used to hold a faceplate into place should be of a size that seats within the screw hole area with only a tiny amount of play. There shouldn't be any space left behind the screw when it is tightened onto the glue block, since this can cause the block to shift during the turning. It is also an ideal idea to use a heavier gauge screw since it will be more secure within the faceplate. The screw should be inserted into 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. It's what stops the bolt from falling out when you shut the door. The strike plate can also help to strengthen the lock and stop intrusions by putting force against the latch and jamb.
A strike plate is a heavy metal plate that is positioned in the doorjamb, the vertical part of the frame. It has a hole through which the deadbolt or latch can pass. When the cylinder is turned the bolt shoots out of the strike plate into the doorjamb and keeps it closed.
There are different kinds of strike plates to choose from, depending on your needs. If you require a strikeplate to fit your lock, the information will list the type of strikeplate you need. Most strike plates are the same and work with standard latches and lock.
Standard strike plates are typically equipped with ovular screws and a "C"-shaped piece that acts as washer. They are typically used on doors with rounded corners and come in a variety of sizes to match your door.
For added security, you can choose strike plates that have no lip and is made specifically for deadbolts. This is a great choice for areas where security needs to be achieved quickly such as stairs. This is a great option when you need to protect the equipment or documents in your home.
replace window locks to upgrade the security of your door is by installing the box strike plate which adds thickness and reinforcement to the strike plate. This makes it much harder to gain entry through the deadbolt or latch. It is usually required on commercial doors that have a security lock.
Spray a lock lubricant on the strike plate in case it isn't aligned to the latch bolt. If this does not work, you'll have to adjust the strike plate by drilling new screwholes and widening the hole for your catch. Be careful not to make many adjustments to the strike plate since repeated and extreme modifications can weaken the plate to the point where it's no longer effective.
The Deadbolt
A deadbolt is a metal bolt that connects the door to the doorjamb frame. In contrast to spring latches used in doorknobs, which can be used to loid (jimmied) using credit cards or other tools like latch slips, a deadbolt is locked using keys, thumb turns or electronically (in the case of smart and keyless deadbolts). They offer better protection against forced entry methods like kick-ins, and they are simple to use and require minimal maintenance.
The bolt extends through an hole or socket in the door jamb, which is then strengthened by an insulated strike plate to give additional security. The bolt should be a minimum of 1 inch of length to make it more difficult to remove the door. It is also recommended to select deadbolts that have an ANSI rating, which indicates how secure the lock is.
The strike plate also holds the cylinder in position. There should be three holes that run along the bolt: one, in the center, connects the facepiece to the cylinder. The two other holes are to the left and right of the central hole. These are where the screws connect the cylinder to the bolt. The screws should come standard with the new deadbolt. Certain locks come with decorative covers that snap on to the facepieces. Check the instructions supplied by the manufacturer to ensure that they are installed correctly.
Choosing the right lock for your home involves considering your lifestyle and what security level you need. Single cylinder deadbolts are the most commonly used lock type, are found on many exterior doors. Keyless deadbolts are safer however they can be difficult to operate. Smart deadbolts allow you to lock and unlock them using voice commands, or through a mobile application.
A professional locksmith can help you determine what type of lock is appropriate for your home, and then install or replace it. Upgrade your front door locking system is an inexpensive way to improve your home's security. Consider adding a double-cylinder or reversible deadbolt on the inside of your front door to provide an extra layer of security.