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20. Fitting Front Door Furniture
from:Changing front door ‘furniture’ can transform your home's appearance for relatively little cost. Security is improved, not only by replacing your existing lock, but also by adding a door chain, security and hinge bolts and a door viewer.
Door locks
The most common types are mortise and cylinder rim locks, although they're often used together for added security on front doors. A mortise lock has to be locked and unlocked using a key from both the inside and the outside, while a cylinder type locks automatically when the door is closed. Cylinder locks can only be opened from the outside using a key or from inside by a knob or key.
Cylinder Locks
1 At the desired height, use the template provided with the lock to mark the drill holes. These vary in size according to the make and model.
2 Once drilled, place the cylinder in the hole from the outside and fix it to the mounting plate on the inside using the screws supplied.
3 Fix the plate to the door using woodscrews. Check the length of the connecting bar projecting through the plate and if necessary cut to the correct size with a hacksaw. Be careful not to over-cut the bar or it will not engage the lock.
4 Mark and cut a recess in the door edge for the lock. Attach it to the door and mounting plate with screws.
5 Mark the bolt on the doorframe and use this as a template to line up the striker plate. Use the striker plate to measure the depth of recess in the frame. Cut and chisel out the recess, insert striker plate and screw into position.
Letter plates
To install a letter plate, position it on the door and mark the letterbox opening and the position of the securing bolts. Drill holes at each corner of the opening, then saw from hole to hole using a pad saw. Drill holes for the securing bolts and attach the letter plate. An interior flap can be added to neaten the appearance of the inside of the door. This has added advantage of providing insulation against draughts through the letterbox. Horizontal letter plates are usually placed in the centre of a door. If the door is mainly glass use a vertical letter plate placed along on the frame.
Door Viewer
A small pilot hole should be drilled first. This hole is then used as a guide to drill the main 14mm hole required to fit the viewer. Insert the threaded lens into the hole at the front of the door. Then slide the back piece in from the other side and screw until the two sides of the viewer fit tightly together.
Always consider safety before you start any DIY project. Look for the 'Be Safe' sign and read the safety advice.
Essentials:
Door furniture
Carpenter's brace and auger bit
Power drill / digsaw and padsaw *
Chisels - one the width of the lock body, one slightly wider
Mallet
Pliers and screwdriver
Adhesive tape
Mini hacksaw
* Warning, care must be taken with these items
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