Before buying a new lock and changing the one on your front door , you might as well know the jargon used to understand how a lock works and replace it without making mistakes.
A lock consists of a cylinder, also called barrel or barrel, which passes through the door. The hole you insert the key into is called the rotor. The latter is mobile while the stator, in which the rotor rotates, is fixed.
When you turn the key in the lock, it activates the bit, also called the gear, which, by turning, locks or unlocks the lock. The latter is also made up of a bolt, a moving part that goes in and out in the strike plate (metal part) to open and close a door without locking it with a key.
The lock mechanism is hidden by a so-called cover plate, which also makes the lock more aesthetic.
The different types of locks
There are many models of front door locks. They can be classified into two categories: on the one hand, visible locks, called surface locks, simply placed on a door, and on the other, mortise locks which are concealed inside the door. the door. Their installation is a little more complicated than that of exposed locks, but they are much more aesthetic.
The locks are then classified according to their locking system and in particular their number of anchor points in the door which defines their level of security. Multipoint locks (usually 3, but also 5, 6 or 7) are the most resistant to break-in attempts and it is these models that are used for entrance doors.
Finally, the locks can be opened and closed in different ways: using a key (so-called mechanical lock), a code or even an electric card, either magnetic or with an electronic chip. With new technologies, new types of locks appear, including those that open using the fingerprint of the owner of the premises.
Steps to changing a front door lock
The choice of a lock is made according to many criteria because all the locks do not adapt to all the doors. You must first respect the dimensions of your current lock, as well as those of the elements that make it up. The thickness, material and opening direction of your front door, as well as the location reserved for the lock must also be taken into account to make the right choice of lock. Finally, you must choose the desired degree of security or meet the standards required by your insurance. In this case, the A2P standard (Assurance Prévention Protection) gives you indications on the resistance in duration (5, 10 or 15 minutes) of a lock in the face of a break-in.
Materials needed to change a lock
All you need is a few do-it-yourself basics to be able to easily replace the lock on a front door and to be equipped with the right hardware. The latter depends on the type of lock you want to install, but you still need a screwdriver, screws, a pencil, a drill and wood filler if your lock does not have the same dimensions as the ‘Ancient.
Replace your front door lock step by step
By following these few steps scrupulously and after having checked that your new lock works perfectly before installing it, you will be sure to change the locking system of your front door without problems.
This type of lock is the easiest to disassemble and install since it is a box that is simply screwed onto the front door. To dismantle it, unscrew the door handle, the lock case, the cover plate, the face plate – that is to say the visible face of the lock intended for fixing the mechanism in the edge of the door. – and waste it.
Then position the case of the new lock on the inside of your front door and mark the locations of the fixing screws with a pencil. Make holes using a drill in these places and screw the lock case. It then remains to embed the striker plate and screw the faceplate in line with the lock. Your installation will be complete when you have screwed in the cover plates and the door handles.
To do this, unscrew the forend, then insert your key in the lock by turning it gently while gently pulling the cylinder towards you.
To install the cylinder of your new lock, start by aligning the bit with your new key and then inserting the cylinder. Before screwing the faceplate back on, remember to check that your lock is working properly.