Front Door Lock Barrel Replacement
It is possible to replace the front door lock barrel yourself. replace upvc door lock mechanism will save you money on the cost of a locksmith. You can buy kits that come with everything you require for the job.
You will need to purchase a new cylinder-lock barrel or a screwdriver that is reliable, a hammer or pliers, for extra grip and the lubricant.
Length
There are a variety of lock barrel choices to choose from to ensure your front door is secure. When choosing a new lock barrel type the length of the cylinder could be critical to the security of your home. Cylinders that are too long are more likely to snap, while those that are too small can hinder you from turning your key to unlock doors. There are a variety of ways to determine the length of a cylinder to ensure that you purchase a replacement cylinder that provides the maximum security for your door.
To determine the proper size of the cylinder, take out the old cylinder from the door. Remove the screws that hold the lock cylinder. After the cylinder has been removed you can measure the distance from the centre of the screw hole on the cylinder to the edge of the handle backplate on the inside of the door. Make sure you 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 the size.
Install the cylinder in your door after determining its length. Begin by drilling a hole through the door. This is where the knob or handle will be placed and should be a little larger than the diameter of the cylinder you've created. After that, you can attach the interior handle or knob to the new handle and make sure it passes through the spindle of the latch, and turns smoothly when you turn it.
If you're replacing a deadbolt, you should also think about upgrading your strike plate. The strike plate is the piece of metal that attaches to the doorjamb and locks into the bolt when driven in by a lock. This plate should be replaced with a more secure version. Find a strikeplate with a reinforced metal construction to protect against kick attacks. Make sure to 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 the front door lock that you use to open or close the handle. It has pins that move into position when you insert keys. You'll need to be aware of certain things when it comes to selecting the right lock cylinder. For instance, it's essential to determine the length of your current lock to ensure you order the right size. You will also need to think about any door furniture, such as handles and escutcheons.
Euro Cylinder locks are available in a variety of designs. Some are double cylinder locks, which offer security from both sides of the door. They are often employed on doors that require more security than conventional locks, as well as in commercial buildings with a few. Check that the lock you are considering is British Standards approved, and is in compliance with these requirements:
Anti-Snap: A burglar may attempt to break the cylinder by applying force on the outside of the doors. To prevent this the lock must have a thin sacrificial line that's cut into the cylinder's body.
Anti-Drill: Some burglars attempt to drill through the lock in order to gain entry into a home. To protect against this, a cylinder should have pins that are made of steel that has been hardened.
If you're in the market for a new cylinder, you should also consider whether it's anti-drill. This will prevent a burglar from ripping the plug out by drilling into it with the power tool.
If you've decided to purchase the right cylinder lock, you'll require the items to install it. This includes a screwdriver that's suitable for the job, as well as an hammer and pliers to provide added grip. It's important to have lubricant on hand to ensure the mechanism operates smoothly. Before you begin, keep in mind that changing the barrel of a lock on the uPVC door can be difficult. If you're unsure about doing it yourself, you should call a locksmith or specialist for assistance.
Keyway
The keyway is the shape that the interface between the pins of the cylinder and the key adopts. The key has a set of grooves and ridges that extend along the length of its "blade" and, when it is inserted, they coincide with the cutouts in the cylinder's pins. The cylinder can only rotate if it recognizes that it is the correct one.
Every lock model has a distinct keyway, that allows it to be locked or unlocked using the use of a specific key. Within a single brand there are different shapes and sizes that you can pick from. This ensures a certain level of security between locks because keys from the same brand can't be used to open the other's.
In most residential settings, the latch is operated with the lever, which can be pushed down or lifted to open the bolt. This is typically more comfortable than turning a knob which requires you to turn it. Certain commercial settings still utilize knobs to add security.
If the correct key is inserted, the spring-loaded pins are shifted into position, allowing the plug to be rotated. The pins are aligned with grooves on the blade of the key, allowing the lock to recognize the right key. If the cylinder is operated in a way that is not correct, or if a key is a wrong fit, the pins will shift to the control shear line rather than the operating shear line, and the lock will be unable to open.
In the case of this particular image it's possible that the cylinder was re-keyed, a process where the existing pins are shifted upwards to the right height so that the key can rotate freely inside the cylinder. This is common in dormitories where the key for a single person might have to be moved between several locks. It is not uncommon for people to have their locks re-keyed as they move houses, or to grant access to an employee or roommate without having to change all locks to the same key. This is a reasonable option to increase security at home, and is often done with just the key cylinder.
Installation
It is easy to change the barrel of a lock in a uPVC door. The first step is to find the screw under the lock on the outside of the door. It typically stands out from the other screws as it has a different color. Then, you can remove it using a Phillips screwdriver. Then, insert the new barrel into the final slot. Then replace the knob with the barrel and push rod. When reassembling, it's important to check that all parts are positioned correctly (the barrel and push rod as well as the spring/lever housing).
With the help of a screwdriver, you are able to easily remove the knob and handle to access the lock body. The cylinder is then removed by turning it counterclockwise. At this point, you are able to leave the cylinder in place and have your locks "re-keyed" or take it out of it. A re-key will not change the pins in the cylinder, it will simply move them into the position of the key that matches it.
The other option is to simply remove the cylinder and then install a new one. If you choose this option it is essential to use the same size as the old cylinder and ensure that the pins are placed correctly to allow your lock to work properly. After you have installed the new cylinder, it's a good idea for you to grease it to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
If you are using a mortise lockset the procedure will be a bit more complicated. This kind of lock is installed into the pocket (mortise) cut into the edges of the door, therefore it will require careful measurement and perhaps a few tries to get the latch and bolt sections to align. Once the bolt and latch sections are lined up, you can remove the strike plate that is held in place on the top and bottom of the door frame with screws.