Repairing French Doors
French doors are popular for period homes. However, they could develop problems with time. These issues could be either major or minor and if not dealt with promptly, they can cause damage.
The solution to many of these issues can be easy if you know what to look for. Here are some tips for fixing French Doors:
Misaligned locks
It isn't always easy to open or close a door when the lock is misaligned. It can also leave the door and your property exposed. Door lock misalignment may be caused by hinges that require adjustment, structural settling or an incorrect installation. There are a few simple fixes you can perform yourself.
The first step is to determine the reason why the latch does not engage with the strike plate hole or door frame. You can do this by closing the door and then looking for an inscription on the strike plate. This will allow you to determine the cause so that it can be fixed.
If the latch contact is located above the strike plate hole or below it that could indicate that the hinges are loose or the door frame requires shims. The door could sag due to loose hinges which will cause it to be out of alignment. This can be corrected by tightening the hinge screws and readjusting the hinges. Utilizing shims to support the hinges can help to keep them in place and stop sliding.
Another common cause of misaligned doors is a jammed or stuck lock cylinder. This could be due to dirt or debris that have blocked the keyway, or it could be caused by an old key. In any case, lubricating the lock cylinder is the most effective solution. You can apply silicone or graphite lubricants. If the lock cylinder is sticking, it's a good idea to consult an expert to avoid further damage or injury.
A latch that is seized can cause issues for French doors, since it blocks the door from being opened and closed. Climate changes can cause the door to swell or to be misaligned. It could also be an indication of poor quality hardware. In most cases, a seized latch can be resolved by moving the latch and then lubricating it with silicone spray. However, if the latch has worn out it might have to be replaced altogether. A skilled handyman knows how to identify this issue and can perform the repair in a timely manner.
Leaks
If your French doors have been set up properly to modern standards, they shouldn't leak. If they leak, you'll need to know the source of the issue so you can address it.
There are a few possibilities for water to enter your door through the bottom. The most frequent cause is that the seal at the bottom of the doors isn't as tight. This allows moisture to enter the door and cause damage. Another possibility is that there's an opening or crack in the frame or sill of the door. You'll have to replace or repair the sill.
Leaks around the French doors can also happen when there is no barrier between the doors and the wind. Strong gusts of wind can easily weaken the seam, which can lead to leaks that can damage floors and walls. To stop this from happening it is possible to put up barriers such as a screen door or an awning, or even put up an adjacent fence to create an windbreak.
Another possible cause of leaks is that the seals around your French doors aren't maintained or installed correctly. In this instance, you'll need to reseal them using silicone caulking. This material is ideal for sealing around French doors due to its excellent adhesion and flexibility as well as being water resistant.
Additionally, it's essential to ensure that the drainage wells along the bottom of your uPVC French doors aren't clogged or filled with debris. This will help minimize heat transfer and air infiltration into your home, which will reduce the energy costs.
It's also a good idea, to keep their appearance and functionality to check them regularly French doors and clean them using a mild cleaning agent. Regular maintenance will extend their life and improve their performance. These steps will allow you to avoid costly repairs and allow you to enjoy your French doors for many years to come.
Warping
French doors provide a great option to connect your outdoor and indoor spaces while letting plenty of light. Like any door French doors are susceptible to being damaged with time due to wear and tear or faulty installation. It is crucial to have your French doors fixed as soon as you can if there's an issue.
If you're French door locks aren't functioning, it's possible that the lock has been damaged or stuck due to wear. If this is the situation, you'll need to take the lock off the door and remove it so that you can take a closer look at the mechanism and fix any obstructions.
Another issue that is common to French doors is that the latch gets stuck or won't close properly. This is usually due to the doors are not aligned properly, either because the hinges are loosening or they weren't set up correctly in the first place. The most effective way to correct this is to open and close the doors as best you can to determine if the latch works or not.
It's possible that your doors aren't closing properly because the wood has expanded due to moisture. To fix this, you'll need to increase the frame of your door to allow for hinges. This is a challenging task that shouldn't be attempted without professional assistance.
french door repairs near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is essential to get your French doors fixed as soon as you can if you spot any issues. This will ensure they look their best and function properly. If you take care of them and provide regular maintenance, your French doors will last for many years.
Chameleon is a specialist in fixing and restoring wooden doors, windows and other wooden features on listed or period buildings. We can fix your existing French doors or install new ones to give your home a beautiful and traditional look. If your French doors are beginning to look old and worn Contact us today to discuss what we can do to help. We'll give you a no-cost quote for your repairs and provide the quality service you deserve.
Wooden Parts
French doors are gorgeous additions to any house, especially period homes. However, with time, they can become weathered and damaged. While this can cause a few minor issues, it is also fairly simple to repair.
If your exterior French doors aren't locking, it is likely that something is blocking the frame or there is an alignment issue between the door and latch. In the first case, you should examine the door for debris, dirt or household items that have gotten caught between the door and frame and clean them out as needed.
In the second instance you might need to adjust or tighten the hinges. You can do this by locating the left-hand adjustment on the hinge (usually hidden behind plastic covers or small plugs) and moving the hinge away or towards the frame. It is also possible to lubricate the latch with silicone spray or oil, however this might not be effective in the long term and may require replacement.
Sometimes the wood in the French door frame may expand due to changes in humidity which could make the door difficult to open and close. This can be fixed by sanding the edges of the frame to adjust them. Be sure to reapply paint or sealant afterwards.
Fog accumulation between glass panes is another common issue with French doors. This can reduce the efficiency of the heating system and result in an absence of light. The glass panes can be replaced to reduce fog, but it is not something that should be performed without professional help.
A cracked or broken glass pane should be replaced immediately to ensure safety and keep outside elements out of the home. The process for 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. Be sure to wear gloves with protection and carefully remove the old glass from the window, determine the opening size to ensure the proper fit of the new pane, cut and install the new pane with care and then put back in the glass components and door hardware.