Make a good use of space in your home sometimes means using certain unique features. One of the most popular solutions to a spatial crunch is a pocket door. When there is not enough space for an articulated door to swing, pocket doors can be an excellent solution. They slide conveniently out of the path by storing inside the adjacent wall. You get a complete separation when the door is closed and full access when the door is open.
Of course, things are a bit different with this type of door. It does not use a traditional button for opening and closing, which means that it does not lock the same way that an articulated door locks. If you have a room with a pocket door that you have to anchor with a lock, must be locked, there are many products to choose from. Check the PropertyGuardMaster for a buyer’s guide, and then install it according to these five simple steps.
Make sure the motion of the door is coherent
For a lock to work properly, the latch must align with the striking plate. A bad alignment is usually the reason for which a door must be pulled, thrust or lifted to lock properly.
Pocket doors, like any door, can install or move over time. Before installing a lock in an existing pocket door, make sure it rolls well in the track and comes correctly with the frame.
Gate
Your latch will probably include a paper model. This guide is applied to the door to show you exactly where to mark the door to cut. Position very carefully the guide and cume it in place to protect it.
Once the guide is in position, mark the door to cut. Use a pencil for your brands. It is easier to correct it if you get a small target target and you can easily erase remaining visible marks after the completed installation.
Cut the opening
This is where the appropriate marking has entered. Use a puzzle to create an opening according to the locking instructions and in the space provided by the model. Again, review everything before starting to sawn. You can only cut it once.
Use the appropriate tool to cut. The sharp blades will leave exploded edges, so buy a new saw blade to make clean cuts. The cost is minimal and you will end up with excellent opening for the lock with a smooth and professional finish.
Install the lock
You are now ready to install the lock on the door. Once again, the instructions will guide the exact details. Follow them carefully. In general, be sure to completely tighten the screws and test the movement of the lock to be sure that it does not stick, do not bind or roll.
During your lock test, check the lock alignment on the door. Make sure it will go near the center of the face and not to be too close to an edge.
Mark the oriented door for locking plate
Then you will need to repeat the same process for the lock plate, which is the other half of the locking equation. The same rules apply; You want your brands to be accurate, straight and clean, and you will need to use the right tool for work.
Make sure the frame is solid and has no damage that could weaken its maintenance on the lock plate. Cut the wood at a depth of about 1/8 “so that the plate adapts to the color of the rest of the frame, then wore the center for the latch at the depth recommended by the instructions.
Install the lock plate
We reached the last step. Using the screws included with the latch, screw the lock plate into position. Look at it as you tighten the screws; The plate can change a bit, forcing you to hold it up until it is completely mounted.
Make sure the screws are completely tightened and the correct length. Some kits include screws of different lengths. A too short screw could allow the locking plate to come off over time or even dissolve if the door is drawn too hard.
Test
Once everything has been installed, it’s time for a test run. Close the door, lock it and gently pull the handle to make sure the lock is drawn. Repeat this process to make sure that the alignment remains the same.
With the door open, use the latch several times. Make sure it feels solid but moves quickly. Feel for all signs of spare parts.
The process of installing a lock on a pocket door is simply as simple. Now you are able to efficiently use your space while maintaining confidentiality and security.
