Front Door Lock Barrel Replacement
It is possible to change the front door lock barrel by yourself. This will save you money on the expense of locksmith. You can buy kits that include everything you require for the job.
You'll need an entirely new barrel for cylinder-lock or a screwdriver that is reliable, a hammer or pliers for more grip and lubricant.
Length
There are many lock barrel types to ensure that your front door is as safe as it can be. When you are choosing the type of lock you want to purchase the length could be essential to the security of your home. Cylinders that are too long are susceptible to snapping, and those that are too small can prevent you from turning the key to unlock the door. There are a variety of ways to determine the length of a cylinder to ensure that you purchase a replacement cylinder that will provide maximum security for your door.
To determine the correct size of the cylinder, take out the old cylinder from the door. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the lock cylinder in place. After the cylinder is removed and you are able to determine the distance between the centre of the screw hole on the cylinder up to the edge of the backplate for the handle on the inside of the door. Include the thickness of the plate, too. You can also determine the cylinder size by measuring the length of the threaded spindle attached to the new cylinder.
After determining the length of the cylinder, you can then place it inside your door. Begin by using a drill to create an opening for the face of the door. This is the place where the handle or knob will go and it should be a little larger than the diameter of the new cylinder. Attach the interior knob or handle to the new handle. Make sure that it fits through the spindle of the latch and is turning smoothly.
If you're replacing a deadbolt, you must also consider upgrading your strike plate. The strike plate is the piece of steel that is attached to the doorjamb and locks into the bolt once it's pushed in by a key. It's important to replace this plate with one that is less difficult to break. Choose a strikeplate that has a reinforced metal structure to resist kick attacks. Use screws that are at least 2.5-3 inches long to ensure they penetrate deeply into the doorjamb.
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. It is important to be aware of a few things when selecting the right lock cylinder. For example, it's important to measure the length of your existing lock to ensure you purchase the correct size. Also, you should consider any door furniture such as handles and escutcheons.
Euro cylinder locks come in a variety of styles. Some double cylinder locks provide security on both sides of the doors. They are typically used on doors that require more security than standard locks, and in commercial buildings with a few. If you're looking to purchase a new lock, check that it's British Standards approved and meets the following criteria:
Anti-Snap: A burglar may try to snap the cylinder by applying force on the door's outside. To stop this from happening, an sacrificial strip of thinness is cut into the cylinder.
Anti-Drill - Some burglars try to drill holes into locks and then break into homes. To protect against this the cylinder should be fitted with pins made of steel that has been hardened.
If you're in the market for an entirely new cylinder, you must also think about whether it's anti-drill. This will help to prevent an intruder from drilling into the plug using a power drill and breaking it up.
After you have chosen the cylinder lock you want, you will have to gather all the components you'll need to put it into place. Included in this are a screwdriver suitable for the task, a hammer for extra grip, and pliers. It's important to have some oil on hand to ensure the mechanism is working smoothly. Be aware that changing locks on a uPVC isn't easy. If you're not confident about the job, it is best to call in a specialist or locksmith for assistance.
Keyway
The keyway on a lock is the shape of the cylinder's interface and the key. The key has a series of grooves and ridges that are affixed to its "blade", and when inserted, these align with the cutouts in the pins of the cylinder. The cylinder will only move if it is sure that it is the correct one.
Each brand of lock comes with a unique keyway that permits it to be unlocked or locked with the use of a particular type of key. There are various keyways sizes and shapes within a single brand. This ensures a certain level of security between locks as keys of the same brand cannot be used to open each other's.
In the majority of residential settings, the latch is operated by a lever that can be pulled or lifted to open the bolt. This is more ergonomic than the knob that needs to turn. Certain commercial settings still utilize knobs to provide security.
When upvc door lock replacements is properly put in, a set of spring-loaded of pins move into place to allow the plug to turn. The pins also align with grooves in the blade of the key, which allows them to recognize the correct key and denying access. If the cylinder is operated improperly, or if the key is not a proper fit the pins will shift to the control shear line, instead of the operating shear line, and the lock will be unable to open.
In this case it is likely that the key has been re-keyed. This involves raising the pins to the correct height so that the key rotates freely within the cylinder. This is a common procedure when a key has to be moved from one lock to the next in a dormitory. People often need their locks changed when they move or want to give access to a new roommate or employee without having to change all the locks to the same key. This is a cost-effective way to increase security for a home and can often be accomplished with only the key cylinder.
Installation
It is simple to replace the barrels of locks in the door made of uPVC. The first step is to locate the screw under the lock at the edge of the door, it typically stands out from the other screws due to its different color. Then, remove it with the help of a Phillips screwdriver. Next, take the new barrel and put it into the previous hole. Then, place the knob that was previously used with the new barrel and push rod back into position. It is important to check the direction of each piece (the barrel as well as the push rod and spring / lever housing) before you begin assembling.
Once the knob and handle are removed you can easily access the lock body by loosening the set screw that holds it in place with an screwdriver. Once this is done the cylinder is turned counterclockwise to remove it. You can then either take off the cylinder and have it "re-keyed" or keep it in place. Re-keying does not alter the pins inside the cylinder. It will only shift them into the proper position using the key that matches.
The other option is to remove the cylinder, and replace it with a new. If you choose this option it is important to use the same size as your previous cylinder, and ensure that the pins are set correctly to allow your lock to work correctly. After you have installed the new cylinder, it's a good idea for you to apply lubrication to it to ensure that everything is moving smoothly.
If you have a mortise lockset the process will be slightly more difficult. This type of lock installs inside a pocket (mortise) cut into the edge of the door, so it will require careful measurements and maybe a few attempts to get the latch and bolt sections to align. After that then you'll have to remove the strike plate (which is held in place by screws at the both sides of the door frame) and the latch bolt, which is a difficult task without proper tools.