Want to turn your home into a real fortress? In this case, take care not only of a high-quality metal door, but also of a good locking mechanism. Installing a lock on a metal door requires certain skills. However, if you do not want to spend money again, you can try to put the mechanism on your own. Then your primary task is to determine the type of castle.
Types of castles
A wide range of door devices is presented on the building materials market. They differ among themselves in the installation method, level of reliability, secrecy.
According to the installation method, the mechanisms are divided into:
- Overhead. A feature of this device is that most of the structure is on the outer surface of the canvas. When mounting this type of lock, difficulties rarely arise.
- Mortise. They are inserted into the body of the product after preliminary sampling.
- Embedded. This type of lock is mounted in the door body by the manufacturer at a certain stage of production. Therefore, installing it with your own hands is almost unrealistic, since you have to disassemble the entire sash.
According to the level of security and secrecy of the product, there are:
- cylinder;
- levers;
- crossbar;
- disk
- code;
- electronic;
- magnetic.
The most popular cylinder and level products.
A cylinder lock is a device consisting of a larva and an internal mechanism. Products are characterized by a high rate of secrecy and are mortise, overhead. The advantage of the mechanism is that if you lose the key, you can do without removing the old lock, but only by replacing the larva.
The levers consist of a bulky core and code plates. The safety level of the device is determined by the number of levers. The more there are, the more difficult it is to crack it.
Recently, electromechanical and electromagnetic locks began to be in demand. They have a higher degree of protection. Electromechanical products are a combination of a mechanical device, electrical components and an electronic mechanism.
Electromagnetic products have a housing with an electromagnet and a metal screwdriver. They are durable and characterized by a high degree of reliability.
How to choose a lock
Before buying a device, it is advisable to consult with people who are versed in this topic or have already had experience buying and installing a metal door.
In order not to make a mistake with the choice, also use the following recommendations:
- Choose models of popular brands. Examine the reviews on websites, forums and choose the option that suits you best.
- Do not chase the cheapness of the goods. Remember the proverb about who pays twice.
- One castle is good, and two is better. Therefore, purchase two different types of devices.
- Consult the seller about the operation of the product, device mechanism. Only a clear understanding of the characteristics of the product will allow you to make the right choice.
- Focus on burglary resistance classes:
- First-class products have a low level of reliability. They do not fit the front doors, but are designed more for interior rooms, cabinets.
- Goods of the 2nd class are characterized by an average degree of protection.
- The most reliable devices of the third and fourth classes are recognized. They close safes, suburban mansions, banks, that is, premises in which large-scale material assets are stored.
Necessary tools
For the installation of a new or replacement of an old lock in a steel door, no specific tools are required. You will need the standard set that any host has:
- Bulgarian;
- drill;
- punch;
- pencil with tape measure;
- screws and screws;
- screwdriver;
- screwdrivers;
- file;
- tap for threading.
Having collected everything that is required for work, take up the installation.
Installation technology
The complexity of the job lies in the fact that you are dealing with a very durable metal. In addition, the installation technology itself is different depending on whether you install a lock model or a mortise lock model. Also, before starting, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the general recommendations for installing locks on entrance doors.
Install mortise model
To mount a product of this type, it is necessary to drill openings for the handle, well, and also the mechanism.
This process is very laborious, requires strict adherence to the instructions:
- Measure with a tape measure a height of 1–1.5 m and put a pencil mark in the place where the castle will be.
- At the end of the sash, mark the borders of the groove. At the edges of the marking, make recesses with a drill and cut a notch with a grinder. Walk along the edges of the groove with a file and remove the formed jagged. To prevent the drill from slipping and stepping aside, mark the marks.
- Place the mechanism in the body of the blade and mark the location of the fasteners. Drill holes for the screws and thread them with a tap.
- From the front and back side of the door leaf, set the exits for the well and the handle. Lock the door and mark the holes. Install the mechanism.
- Check how the device works. If there is no problem, fit the handle and pad. Lubricate the core with a special tool and rotate the crossbars.
- Drill recesses for the crossbars on the door frame. Attach the answer on top.
To prevent the device from shifting during operation, it is necessary to check after each action how the mechanism works.
Mounting a padlock
It differs from the installation of the previous model in that almost the entire device is not in the body of the door, but on its surface.
To put the invoice mechanism, adhere to the following scheme:
- After attaching the device to the canvas, mark the places for fasteners, pins, borehole and other elements. Keep in mind that the attachment mechanisms are mounted higher than the mortise ones, so that it is convenient to use the latch.
- Place pins for fasteners on the iron door.
- According to the marked markings, make an opening for the well to enter the outer surface of the canvas.
- Secure the attachment with pins on the inside of the door.
- Test the operation of the mechanism. If there is no problem, screw the housing onto the door. On the opposite side, install the pad.
- Drill a recess on the counter side of the box, make a thread and screw on the patch block. It serves to fix the crossbars. It is important not to make a mistake with the location of the otvetka, otherwise the crossbars will not fall into the grooves prepared for them.
Installing the locking mechanism on a metal door requires a certain amount of experience and knowledge. If you want to do this for the first time, then it is better not to take risks. Otherwise, having made a mistake, the matter will end not with installation, but with dismantling of the front door lock.