Front Door Lock Barrel Replacement
It is possible to change the front door lock barrel by yourself. patio door lock replacement can save you money on the cost of a locksmith. You can buy kits that come with all the tools needed.
You'll need a new barrel for a cylinder lock and a reliable screwdriver set, a hammer or pliers for extra grip, and a oil-based lubricant.
Length
There are a variety of lock barrel types available to ensure your front door is as secure as is possible. But, when selecting the right type of lock barrel, the length of the cylinder can be crucial to your home's security. Cylinders that protrude too far are more likely to snap, whereas those that are too small could hinder you from turning your key to unlock doors. There are a variety of methods to determine the right cylinder length, so you can purchase a new one that will give your door the maximum security.
To determine the correct size of the cylinder, remove the old cylinder from the door. Remove the screws holding the lock cylinder. After the cylinder has been removed, you can measure from the centre screw hole of the cylinder to the edge of the handle plate on the inside of the door. Be sure to include the thickness of the plate, as well. You can also take a measurement of the length of the threaded shaft on the new cylinder to determine its size.
Install the cylinder into your door after determining its length. Start by using a drill to create an opening for the face of the door. This is the hole in which the handle will be placed. It should be slightly larger than the diameter of the new cylinder. Then, connect the handle inside or knob to the handle you want to replace and ensure that it is able to pass through the spindle of the latch, and operates smoothly when turned.
When replacing a deadbolt, it is recommended that you should also upgrade the strike plate. The strike plate is a piece of metal mounted to the doorjamb, which locks into the deadbolt when a key is pushed in. The plate should be replaced with a safer version. Look for a strike plate with a reinforced metal design to protect against kick attacks. Also, make sure the screws are at least 2.5-3 inches long to ensure they go deep into the door jamb.
Design
The lock cylinder is a component of your front door lock that you use to open and close the handle. It is equipped with pins that move into place when you insert the key. When it comes to choosing the correct lock cylinder, you'll need to know some things. It is crucial, for instance to determine the length of your cylinder locks that you have in place so that you can order the correct size. It is also important to consider any furniture for doors, like handles or escutcheons.
Euro Cylinder locks come in a variety of designs. Certain double cylinder locks provide security on both sides of doors. They are often employed on doors that require more security than standard locks, and in some commercial buildings. Make sure the lock you are considering is British Standards approved, and meets these criteria:
Anti-Snap: A burglar could attempt to break the cylinder by applying pressure on the outside of the doors. To stop this from happening, an sacrificial strip of thinness should be cut into the cylinder.
Anti-Drill: Some burglars are able to penetrate the lock to gain entry into homes. To prevent this from happening, a cylinder should have pins made of steel that has been hardened.
When you are looking for a new cylinder, you should ensure it is anti-drill. This will stop a burglar from breaking the plug apart by drilling it with the power tool.
After you've selected the right cylinder lock, you'll have to gather the required materials for installing it. Included in this is an appropriate screwdriver for the task, a hammer for extra grip and pliers. It is also recommended to have lubricant to ensure that the mechanism is operating smoothly. Before you begin, keep in mind that changing the barrels of a lock on the uPVC door can be a challenge. If you're not confident about doing the job by yourself, it's recommended to contact a locksmith or a specialist to get help.
Keyway
The keyway on locks is the shape of the cylinder's interface and the key. The key is made up of a series of ridges and grooves which extend along the length of its "blade" and, when inserted, these coincide with the cutouts in the pins of the cylinder. The cylinder can only rotate if it recognizes that it is the correct one.
Each brand of lock has a distinct keyway that permits it to be locked or unlocked with the use of a particular type of key. There are a variety of keyway sizes and shapes within the same brand. This gives a certain level of security to different locks since keys from the same brand can't be used to unlock the other's.
In most residential settings the latch is operated by the lever, which can be pushed or lifted in order to release the bolt. This is usually more comfortable than a knob which requires you to turn it. Some commercial settings still use knobs to add security.
When the key is properly inserted, a spring-loaded set of pins shift into position to allow the plug to rotate. The pins also align with grooves in the key's blade, recognizing the correct key, but denying access. If the cylinder or key is not inserted correctly the pins will be moved to the control shear rather than the operating line. The lock will not open.
In this situation it is likely that the key has been re-keyed. This involves moving the pins up to the correct height so that the key rotates freely within the cylinder. This is a common practice in dormitory situations where the key for one person might require a move between several locks. It's not uncommon for people to have their locks re-keyed when they move houses or if they want to give access to new roommates or employees without needing to change all locks to the same key. This is a cost-effective method to increase the security of the home. It can be accomplished by simply changing the key to the cylinder.
Installation
It is simple to change the barrel of a lock in the uPVC door. The first step is to find the screw under the lock on the edge of the door, it typically stands out from the other screws because it is a different color. Then, remove it using an Phillips screwdriver. Next, take the new barrel and insert it into the hole you removed. Then, place the knob with the new barrel and push rod back into place. Before reassembling, it is essential to make sure that each part is oriented correctly (the barrel and push rod as well as the spring/lever housing).
After the handle and knob have been removed, you can access the lock body by loosening the set screw that holds it in place using an screwdriver. The cylinder can then be removed by turning it counterclockwise. At this point, you are able to either keep the cylinder in place and get your locks "re-keyed" or take it off it. Re-keying does not alter the pins inside the cylinder. It will only shift them into the proper location using the key that matches.
The other option is to simply remove the cylinder and install another. If you decide to do this, it is important to use the same size as your old cylinder and make sure that the pins are placed properly to allow the lock to function properly. After installing the new cylinder, it is a good idea for you to lubricate it to make sure that everything moves smoothly.
The process can be a little more difficult if you have mortise sets. This type of lock is set inside pockets (mortise) that is cut into the edge the door. It will require some careful measurement and perhaps a few attempts to make the latch and bolt sections to align. Once they do then you'll have remove the strike plate (which is held in place by screws on top and bottom of the frame of the door) and the latch bolt, which is an arduous task if you do not have the proper tools.