The History Of Repairing French Doors In 10 Milestones
Repairing French Doors
French doors are a popular choice for period homes, but they are susceptible to problems in time. These issues can be anything from minor to serious and could cause damage if they are not addressed promptly.
If you know what to look for it's easy to fix many of these problems. Here are some helpful tips for repairing French Doors:
Misaligned locks
If a lock on a door is not aligned properly, it could be difficult to open and close the door. It could also leave the door and your property exposed. The issue of the door lock not aligning properly could be due to hinges that require to be adjusted, structural settling, or an incorrect installation. There are a few easy fixes that you can do at home.
The first step is to figure out what's causing the latch not be able to engage with the strike plate hole or door frame. You can do this by closing the door and looking for a mark on the strike plate. This will enable you to determine the cause to be fixed.
If the latch contact is above or below the strike plate hole it's most likely to be a sign of hinges that are loose or the frame of the door that requires shims. Loose hinges can cause the door to sag which can cause misalignment. You can fix this by tightening hinge screws and adjusting the hinges. Using shims to support the hinges will help to keep them in place and avoid sliding.
Another common cause of misaligned doors is a seized or stuck lock the cylinder. It could be due to dirt or debris that has blocked the keyway, or it could be due to the worn-out key. In any case the best solution is to lubricate the lock cylinder using graphite powder or a lubricant made of silicone. If the lock cylinder remains stuck, it's a good idea to consult an expert to avoid any further injury or damage.
A latch that is seized can cause issues for French doors, since it stops the door from being opened and closed. This can be a result of a faulty alignment or warping of the door or frame as a result of climate changes. It could also be a sign of faulty hardware. In most instances, a latch that is stuck can be solved by moving the latch and then applying silicone spray to it to lubricate it. If the latch is worn, it may be necessary to replace it. A professional handyman will know how to identify this issue and repair it correctly.
Leaks
If your French doors are installed in accordance with modern standards, then they should not leak. If they leak, you'll need to know the source of the issue so that you can fix it.
There are a few possible reasons why water can enter your door through the bottom. The most common reason is that the seal around the bottom of the door isn't secure enough, allowing water to enter and cause damage over time. A hole or crack may be present in the frame or sill of the door. It's necessary to replace or repair the sill.
If there's no barrier between your French doors and the wind, you could also be experiencing leaks. Strong gusts of winds can easily weaken seams creating leaks that can cause damage to floors and walls. You can avoid this by installing a screen or an awning, or by adding fencing to create an windbreak.
Another reason that leaks could be a problem is that the seals around your replacement french doors doors aren't maintained or installed correctly. You'll require silicone caulking in order to seal the seals. This material is a great adhesive as well as flexibility and water resistance, making it the perfect option for sealing your French doors.
It's also important to ensure that the drainage holes on the bottom of the uPVC French door are not blocked or clogged by debris. This will help minimize heat transfer and air infiltration into your home, which will reduce energy bills.
It's also a good idea, to keep their appearance and function by regularly checking your French doors and clean them using an easy-to-clean agent. Regular maintenance can also extend the life of your doors and increase their performance. Taking these steps can help you avoid costly repairs and enjoy your French doors for years to be!
Warping
French doors are a great way to connect your outdoor and indoor areas while letting in plenty of sunlight. However, as with all doors they may be damaged over time due to wear and tear or poor installation. This is the reason it's so important to have your French doors repaired as soon as you notice an issue.
If your French door locks aren't working, it's likely the lock has been damaged or stuck because of wear. It is necessary to remove the lock and take it off the door to take an inspection of the mechanism.
Another issue with french door repairs doors is that the latch can get stuck or isn't closing properly. This is usually because the doors are not aligned properly either because the hinges have loosened or they weren't set up correctly in the first place. To correct this issue, you should try to open and close the doors as often as you can to determine whether the latch is functioning.
It's also possible that your doors aren't closing correctly because the wood has expanded from moisture. To fix this issue, you'll have to expand the door's frame to allow for hinges. This is a challenging task that shouldn't be attempted without the help of a professional.
It is essential to get your French doors repaired as quickly as you can if you spot any problems. This will ensure that they appear at their best and perform properly. With proper care and maintenance your French doors will last for years.
Chameleon is a specialist in the repair and restoring doors, windows and other wooden features of listed or period homes. We can install new French doors to give your home an elegant and traditional look or repair the ones that are already in place. If your French doors are beginning to look old and worn, contact us today to discuss what we can do to help. We can arrange a free estimate for your repairs and provide you with the top-quality service you're looking for.
Wooden Parts
French doors are gorgeous accessories to any home particularly those with period homes. Over time, they can become damaged and weathered. While this can cause a few minor problems but it's also relatively easy to fix.
If your exterior French doors aren't locking, it's likely that there is something blocking the frame or there is an alignment issue between the latch and door. In the latter case, you need to look for debris, dirt or household items caught between the frame and door and clean them out as needed.
In this case, you may need to tighten the hinges or adjust them. This can be accomplished by locating the lateral adjustment lever on the door hinge (usually hidden behind the cover of plastic or a small plug) and using it to move the hinge away from or toward the frame of the door. You can also grease the latch with silicone spray or oil. However, this could not last very long and you may need to replace french doors with bifold it.
Sometimes, the wood in a french door handle replacement door frame can swell due to humidity changes, which could make the door difficult to open and close. To remedy this, sand the edges of the door frame to adjust the frame. Paint or sealant can be applied afterward.
Another common issue with external French doors is fog accumulation between the two panes glass. This can lower the energy efficiency and cause an absence of light. The most common solution to fog is by replacing the glass panes but this isn't an activity that should be attempted without expert help.
If glass panes are cracked or broken the pane must be replaced immediately for security reasons and to stop outdoor elements getting inside the home. The process of replacing glass on French doors is the same as the procedure for sliding glass doors but requires a little more skill and precision in order to do properly. Make sure you wear gloves that are protective and remove the old glass from the window, measure the opening to ensure the proper fitting of the new glass cut and place the new pane with care, and then reinstall any parts of the glass and hardware for the door.