How does your front door look? Here are some useful tips for updating your home’s entry locks.
How does your front door look? Is it showing the wear and tear of years of weather exposure? Let’s say that you came home from vacation and your entry locks are suddenly out of place. Nothing else seems amiss, but it’s possible that your front door hardware finally failed while you were away. Here are some useful tips for updating your home’s entry locks.
Taking Off the Old Entry Locks
The first step in updating your home’s entry locks involves removing the currently-installed ones. Unscrew the doorknob that is on the inside of the door. Turning the door handle could give you easier access to the screws supporting the doorknob.
Once you have removed these screws, both of the knobs will come loose, so be ready for that. Dropping any components of the lock can cause the entire process to take longer than you might expect. Then you need to use your screwdriver to dislodge the latch for the entry lock. Once the latch comes free, the existing lock should come off right away.
Putting In New Ones
Now it is time to put the new entry locks on your front door. You can also follow this advice if you need to change the locks on your side entry doors as well. Begin by putting the new latch where you found the old one. Next, determine where the new doorknobs should go, making sure that the knob with the screw holes is the one that is placed on the inside of the door.
Use the long screws to attach the knobs and the short screws to fasten the latch onto your door. You’ll also need to ensure that the strike plate is attached properly, also using the shorter screws. Once all the pieces are where they belong, test how easily you can open and close your front door, and how much effort it takes to lock and unlock it.
Choosing the Correct Replacements
In the end, it’s important to choose the correct replacements when it comes to front door hardware. You won’t need to replace your entire door unless the damage is too severe – sometimes all you need is a new handle, deadbolt, and lock system.
Many manufacturer’s locks will fit the same way your existing one did. Usually it’s as simple as taking a smartphone photo of the lock you want to replace, with the door ajar so that the latch is visible. Take a photo of the strike on the door jamb also, in case there’s anything unusual about it. Then stop in and show the photos to us at WalterWorks Hardware, and we’ll set you up with a replacement that fits.
Choose Your Front Door Hardware From WalterWorks
No matter what type of front door hardware and entry locks you choose, WalterWorks Hardware has the expertise and supplies you need. We are well known through the Maryland, Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia area for our fantastic hardware and unbeatable knowledge. For more information, please call us at (410) 263-9711 or contact us online. For more tips on choosing hardware for your home, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Houzz, Google+, and Pinterest.