Do It Yourself • Doors

Repair or Replacement: Which Is Right for Your Door?

Doors are a vital element of every home or building. A building is never complete without it. Sometimes, your exterior and interior doors may suffer some damage. Such an instance requires quick and effective solutions. Here, you have a choice to either go for doors repair or doors replacement.

This article will help you decide.

Deciding Factors in the Repair or Replacement Debate

It is very important to know what step to take when your front door has a problem. Based on how the door is used and what damage has occurred, you can conclude whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. Door repair is the cheaper of the two options. It also takes little time. However, there are times when the best option is replacement.

Let’s figure out together what to prefer.

Level of Damage

The degree of damage to your front doors determines the solution that needs to be applied. This is the most important thing to consider before repairing doors. Many factors contribute to door damage.

For example, weather changes can cause deformation of wooden doors and door frames.
Prolonged heavy use of the door can also affect its effectiveness: wear and tear, hinges, door handles and locks.

Some problems can be solved by yourself. If more complicated repairs are needed, ask for help from a professional.
Minor problems should be dealt with quickly to prevent more serious damage.

Budget Available

One primary benefit of door repairs versus replacement is cost-effectiveness. While repairs can vary in price depending on the nature and materials required, by assessing the repair work, you can estimate potential expenses.

This, compared with the cost of a new door, can guide your budget-driven decisions. Although door replacement may seem straightforward, additional costs tied to hinges, locks, and other materials can add up.

If DIY isn’t your strength, you can hire a professional, keeping in mind the increased costs for their expertise. Despite a higher cost, a professional assures a secure and proper installation. Remember, your personal budget significantly influences decisions on door repairs or replacements.

Materials Used

Doors come in different styles and forms. These doors are made from a variety of materials. Some of these materials include wood, vinyl, steel, fiberglass, plastics, and so many others. The materials inform the cost of the doors. They also inform the manner of door maintenance.

The difficulty of repair also depends on the material. Some doors are difficult to fix because of the material they are made of. A wooden door, for instance, requires little effort to fix. However, rectifying a dent in a steel door can prove to be considerably more challenging, assuming it’s feasible in the first place. Getting a door replace in Vancouver is swift. It is vital to install a door that can be easily maintained. This will prevent future costs.

Door Placement

For the final decision, you also need to know what you will face if you decide to replace the door, namely the installation of the door.
Attaching a new door can be a daunting task. It becomes even more difficult if it is not done by a professional. Front doors are surprisingly heavy, and this job is especially difficult because of the exact specifications. Doors require perfect positioning to work properly. For a complete door restoration, you may need the services of a professional.
Here are a few tips to help you:

  • Make sure the new door fits the existing frame.
  • Enlist a helper. A friend or neighbor can be helpful.

These tips will help you get the fit right.

Desired Aesthetic

If for some reason your door no longer meets your aesthetic needs, that too can be addressed in two ways: both by replacing and repairing.

  • The first thing you should consider before repairing or replacing is safety. Make sure the door meets the safety requirements of your home.
  • Then you can think about what design you want and consider your options: whether you can make changes through repairs (painting, adding extras, etc.) and whether it will meet the operating conditions or whether it will be easier to replace with a new one.

When to Repair Doors

The extent to which a door is damaged informs subsequent decisions. Door fixing is a critical activity. The decision to either repair or replace a door depends on how faulty the door is. For example, it is worth repairing if you run into:

  • Minor damages such as cracks, dents, and others
  • Faulty hinges, locks and handles
  • Small patches of rot
  • Sagging doors
  • Small drafts
  • Peeling paint

A critical assessment will inform an optimal solution.

Pros vs. Cons of Repairing Broken Doors

There are advantages and disadvantages a renewal can afford you. It is vital to be aware of them to help you make a good decision. Below are the pros and cons of repairing your door.

Pros:

  • Repairing a door restores its quality and functionality. A proper repair will give your door a pristine look.
  • Repairing a door is a cost-effective solution. It is a cheap solution and fits a small budget.
  • It takes less time to repair a door than to replace it. You only need a fraction of the time spent replacing a door to repair it. Some minor repair works may take less than 15 minutes.

Cons:

  • Repairing some damages may not be an effective solution.
  • Some repairs may affect the appearance of the door.
  • Some repairs might cause a reduction in functionality.
  • A repaired door might need additional repair work in a short time.

When to replace doors

The level of damage to a door is the determinant of replacement. Sometimes, the extent of damage to a door may be beyond repair. When your door gets this bad, then it is time for a replacement. There are also instances where a door is completely deformed.

  • When the severity of cracks, dents, and rot exceeds the scope of a straightforward repair
  • The expense of conducting these repairs surpasses the cost of a brand-new door or frame
  • When a door exhibits warping, or when noticeable size fluctuations occur due to local weather conditions
  • Any situation that compromises the security of your home

A careful assessment will tell you if you need a door installation.

Pros Vs Cons of Replacing Broken Door

A new door installation will offer you vital advantages. You may experience some disadvantages as well. Here are some pros and cons of door replacement:

Pros:

  • A replacement offers renewed security and functionality
  • A new door provides the home with a lot of aesthetics. Having a new door adds beauty to a house.
  • Choice of a new style of door. You may decide to choose a more gorgeous door for your home.
  • With a new door, you are assured of quality and longevity
  • A replacement will save you money from constant repairs.

Cons:

  • A new door installation will cost you a lot of money. It costs more than a repair.
  • It costs more time to fix a new door than to repair an old one.
  • Finding a new style of a door may be difficult.

Finding a Contractor

If you’ve decided that door replacement is the right option for your needs, it’s important to find a reputable contractor to ensure that the process is completed quickly, efficiently and to the highest standards.

  • Pay attention to those companies that have positive customer reviews and a solid track record.
  • A good contractor will offer a transparent estimate with all possible costs.
  • It’s also important that they have the necessary license and insurance to protect you from any potential liabilities.
  • They have experience with the type of doors you want installed.
  • Do they offer any kind of warranty or after sales service.

Remember, the right contractor will prioritize your satisfaction and make your door replacement journey easy and enjoyable.

Conclusion

A door is the most vital security hardware in any building. It is crucial to treat it with utmost importance and care. Fixing requires some considerations, including cost and energy efficiency. If you are considering fixing your door, this article will help you make critical decisions.

Do It Yourself • Doors

How to Remove A Door Knob That is Stuck

The appearance and usability of your residence’s exterior and interior door knobs are critical. When it disintegrates, unfortunately, it can cause a security concern as well as other issues.

When the inside mechanisms of a doorknob deteriorate, it becomes difficult to unlock the door and gain entry to that specific area in your home. A faulty door knob can cause a variety of issues, including getting caught up inside or outside of a room.

How to Remove A Door Knob That is Stuck

For a wide assortment of conditions, door knobs can become stuck. Temperature, humidity, wear and tear, and a faulty door lock or latch are all variables that can trigger a door knob to jam or break. Temperature-related concerns, on the other hand, will resolve themselves as circumstances shift.

However, there will be times when you will opt to take off a doorknob. Check out the materials needed and do the methods below to see if your doorknob requires to be replaced before consulting a professional locksmith.

Materials for Removing Door Knob

At some point, you might get confused about what materials you need to use since something like a stuck door knob will frustrate you. To lend you a hand, the following materials and tools are needed to perform the indicated methods here:

  • Spray lubricant
  • Wire brush
  • Flathead screwdriver or Phillips head screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Needle-nose pliers

Step-by-step Guide on How to Remove A Door Knob

Try to Jiggle It

Aim to shake unfastened the jammed portion by jiggling the doorknob. The fault could be that the hinges are not correctly linked or that the latch is malfunctioning to compress or expand.

Notwithstanding, don’t apply too excessive pressure or twist the handle too quickly, since this may cause the doorknob to snap even more. While a simple remedy, if the fault is the latches unable to retract or expand into the door frame, it might not be a preferred solution.

Use a Lubricant

To open a jammed door knob, apply lubrication to the doorknob actuator and twist it a several rounds to let the lubricant disperse. Check for corrosion on both corners of the mechanism.

If it’s rusting, clean it off with a wire brush and lubricate the mechanism to keep it running smoothly. If the condition remains, another little part of the interior of the doorknob may be to blame.

Removing A Door Knob that is stuck

Examine the Latch

The latch could be crooked and hooked on stuff if the door knob will not move when the latch is released. Hit the lock with a hammer while holding a flathead screwdriver or a Phillips head screwdriver immediately over it.

To release the latch, perform the process on its underneath. You could also examine if the strike plate on the door frame is misplaced since this could hinder your entrance from shutting effectively.

Thoroughly Examine the Doorknob Mechanism

To remove a locked doorknob, disconnect it from the door and the bolts from the plate. Examine the mechanism within the doorknob for any blockages or breakage. With needle-nose pliers, eliminate any impediments from the mechanism.

Search for potential loosened springs if your door has a sprung function. Reinstall the knob, as well as any loose bolts, in their proper holes.

Remember that screws should be tightened carefully. Then, to make sure it’s functioning correctly, try operating it. If it is damaged, find a way how to change the door knob for an easier solution.

Conclusion

For many individuals, figuring out how to remove a door knob that is stuck in a difficult undertaking. However, if you understand the appropriate measures to perform, this task will take little effort and time. For such instances that the mentioned methods above do not resolve your stuck door knob issues, replacing it is a one way to go.

If you find removing the door knob too troublesome for you, Top Door Repair is the company to call whether you need fixes, upgrades, or routine maintenance. You can call us right away at (778) 284-1271.

Do It Yourself • Doors

How To Fix A Catching Door That Won’t Close

When a door has been in use for a long time, it shows some signs of wear and tear on the frame. Sometimes it may even stray from its initial position and fail to perform its basic purpose. The result is a door that catches and may or may not make squeaking noises.

And there’s nothing as annoying as having a door that doesn’t open smoothly and squeaks. Such a door that keeps getting stuck in the frame is not something you can decide to ignore and ‘live with.’ This is because the paint on the door and the frame gets damaged.

How To Fix A Catching Door

What Causes Doors to Catch?

We barely pay much attention to the doors in our homes until they start ‘acting funny.’ When the door begins to catch, you need to find out why it’s happening to come up with solutions. To know how to fix a rubbing door, you must first find out why it’s rubbing.

A door can catch or rub against the door frame due to several reasons. Some of the reasons may be more grave than others. Let us take a look at some of the main reasons your door won’t open or close smoothly:

  1. The door is sagging due to faulty installation.
  2. Hinges are too loose or aren’t well lubricated.
  3. The doors become a little too large due to humidity expansion.
  4. Dirt and debris accumulate, causing door obstruction.
  5. The latches are misaligned.

Materials/Tools Needed

  1. Ladder
  2. Screwdriver
  3. Hammer
  4. Sander
  5. Saw
  6. Crowbar
  7. Measuring tape
  8. Marker
  9. Wood filler
  10. Varnish

The Fixes of the Catching/Rubbing Door

This section will tell you how to fix a catching/rubbing door that won’t close. Remember that it’s always advisable to detach the door and all its accessories before starting working on it to make the process easier for you. It’s best if you have someone around to help with the process.

Step 1: Tighten the Hinges

With time, you notice that your doors aren’t as firm as when they were first installed. The reason for this is that the hinges loosen gradually, getting to a point where the door begins to rub against the frames.

The quick fix to this problem is very simple:

  1. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws found in the hinges, one at a time.
  2. Watch out not to over-tighten the hinges because too much pressure would cause the screws to break.
  3. Always ensure that the door is positioned parallel to the jamb and frame and swing it to be sure that it opens and closes freely.
  4. Lastly, it would help if you start by securing the top hinge instead of the bottom one.

Step 2: Adjust Latches to Align

The screws on the latch could also work themselves loose over time. This could potentially cause the latches to misalign, and the quickest fix to this problem would be to readjust them. If the door seems to fit and function perfectly from the hinge side, you need to fix it from the latch side. The latch system can be a little hard to reattach, so if you remove the latch and reposition it, check to see that it aligns before screwing it in place.

Ensure that you use a screwdriver and not a drill when realigning the latches. However, you also need to check that they’re firmly fitted for longer service and better security.

How To Fix A Rubbing Door That Won't Close

Step 3: Shift the Door Frames

Altering the door frames is your best bet if you don’t want to compromise the door’s wholeness. This is especially applicable for old or expensive doors whose alterations call for professional skills or if you’re on a tight budget and aren’t looking to expose your door to this kind of corruption.

Use a crowbar to fix the door frame by levering the frame until it fills the gap formed by the wear and tear. Check to see if the door fits before fixing it in place.

Step 4: Sand the Door

This is a pretty invasive method of fixing catching doors, so you need to be very careful to avoid causing irreversible damage to them. Sanding gets rid of the little extra wood that gets caught on the frame.

  1. Mark the area that requires sanding and get started on the process.
  2. If you try to close the door and realize that it still won’t close properly, redo the sanding on the affected area. The goal is to keep sanding until the door closes and opens without friction. You will know that the process is a success when the door stops rubbing.
  3. Don’t get worked up if afterward some areas look bumpy and rough. After sanding, smooth the door out to remove any imperfections and apply varnish to return it to its professionally finished state.
  4. Varnish the door – a single coat isn’t enough, even when you want to add paint on top of the varnish.
  5. Apply about two coats and allow them to dry completely before going in with the paint.

Step 5: Cut the Door Using a Saw

This is yet another extremely invasive solution that requires you to cut a part of the door off. Before you can trim the door, you need to ensure that the hinges are okay and the door is straight and parallel. This method gives a clean cut and eliminates the possibility of bumpy areas on the door.

  1. Takedown the door from the frame by unfastening the screws from the hinges.
  2. The next step is to assess how much trimming needs to be done. Measure the portion that needs to be snipped and mark the area.
  3. Hang the door back in the frame and secure it in place. It should swing smoothly.

Conclusion

If you don’t know how to fix a catching door or don’t want to go through all the trouble, find professional experts to do the repair work. Top Door Repair is a reputable company that will complete the work on time, leaving the greatest possible satisfaction. Reach them via (778) 284-1271 to request a quote or book an appointment.

Do It Yourself • Door lock • Doors • General Information • Tips and Tricks

What to Do When Your Door Lock is Broken

Bolt Addressing

There can be some issues that arise around lengths of metal that leads to a broken lock. A deadbolt can only withstand some much force. A solid length of metal too can bend after a kicking attack, or there can be dislodgement of actuating mechanisms within the lock. Similarly, it can happen to latch bolts that are found in doorknobs and handles. These mechanisms are spring-loaded and can jam as a result of many kinds of misuse consequent of how they are built.

Broken Door Lock

The latch bolts aren’t the locks that give security to a building, but if they break might interfere with closing the door. Because of the significant role which deadbolts play in security, you have to take steps to fasten the broken lock extremely. Ensure that these bolts pull back and expand as they’re intended. Clean-up any debris that is inside the strike plate or within the cross bore holding the bolt. If you get that the bolt is too damaged, you can only replace the broken parts to save on the full cost of changing locks.

You should understand that this kind of re-adjustment can rigorously weaken the bolt if you want to bend bolts to take the right shape. When a lock is broken in this way, it is better to undertake to replace it, than trying to fix it. If the bolt fails to turn properly when the door is open, check it to discover if the issue is with the bolt and not with its alignment with the door jamb.

Alignment Fixing

You can move or widen the opening when a lock is broken because the bolt isn’t entering the strike properly. Cautiously move the strike plate as too subtle of a move can leave the holes for your set screws too wide to secure the strike correctly. Based on the weather, strike plate misalignment has to do with your door changing sizes. A moisture change tightens or widens the door or jam. After the broken lock is taken care of, ensure your door is protected from the elements to avoid the regular return of misalignment issues.

Fixing Connections

It might be fixed by going back over the lock installation process. A lock may be sagging or loose, not because a fastener has broken, but because the torque of daily usage has loosened the connections over time. You can fix a lock broken in this way by taking it apart and then re-installing if not completely broken.

There will be a form of replacement to fix a truly broken lock that is falling out of the door. The chance of the sagging is since the set screw housing failing for some reason or another. It’s doubtful that the screws themselves will have broken. Strive to fix the lock together without the door, and troubleshoot the assembly to find out what is not connecting.

We provide service in many cities: Door Repair in Abbotsford, Door Repair in Maple Ridge, and Door Repair in Annacis Island. Call us if you have any questions.

Do It Yourself • Doors • General Information • Tips and Tricks

How to Repair a Broken Sliding Door

When your sliding door doesn’t function at optimum efficiency, then its time you repaired that door. Hiring a repairs technician would be costly, so I will show you a way to fix your broken sliding door by yourself using these tried and tested methods. You might be happy to find out that these methods will save you over $250. Isn’t that great? Well, let’s get to it then.

Sliding Door Repair

Damaged Rollers Problem

Rollers can collect hair, mud, and other dirt particles in the grooves, creating a movement problem on your sliding door. Here’s how to fix that problem. For this task, you will require a set of screwdrivers, silicone spray, denatured alcohol, and paraffin wax in separate containers.

  • Carefully remove the door from the track by turning the screws holding the rollers counter-clockwise to release the rollers then unscrew the doorstop at the top of the frame.
  • Place the door in a slanted position with the bottom facing towards you then unscrew the rollers. Damaged rollers should be easy to replace with spares from any door repair shop near you. If they have accumulated dirt over time, clean them by scraping off the dirt then rubbing alcohol on them before applying silicone spray to ensure dirt doesn’t get caught in them again.
  • Restore your rollers by screwing them into the tracks, before which you should apply silicone spray and alcohol onto the upper tracks, and apply the paraffin wax onto the bottom tracks to prevent rusting of the tracks.
  • Reinstall your sliding door by aligning it to the tracks starting with the upper track while taking care to align the door with the jamb on the latch side.

Problems with Door Alignment

  • Doors often get misaligned with time due to frequent use and to curb this;
  • Remove the door from the top and bottom of the tracks by carefully unscrewing the rollers from the latches.
  • Reinsert the door, starting with the top track as you move to the lower track sliding the rollers on the top and bottom tracks into place.
  • Screw into place the rollers to the latches using the screwdrivers.

Broken Screen

  • The screen of the sliding door may break for various reasons including accidents, and when that happens the procedure varies depending on how the screen is damaged;
  • After ordering for new glass, remove the trim around the glass, taking care to remove any shattered glass remaining around the frame.
  • Install the new glass pane into the frame, ensuring it fits firmly into place using glass adhesive.
  • Replace the trim and secure it with tacks.
  • Wipe off any excess adhesive from the glass.

Broken Seal

  • Bad weatherstrip can create weak seepage points on the sliding door screen. These points can be remedied by:
  • Finding the staples and use a screwdriver to loosen them before pulling it from the door.
  • Removing any residual elements before installing the new weather stripping.
  • Screwing shut the flange along the door edges.
  • After gluing all the strips into place, clean up any excess glue from the edges.

In Summary, prevention is better than cure. Ensure you purchase the best quality door products to reduce maintenance costs in the long run.

We provide service in many cities: Door Repair in Abbotsford, Door Repair in Aldergrove, and Door Repair in Coquitlam. Call us if you have any questions.

Do It Yourself • Doors • Glass door • Tips and Tricks

How to Repair a Glass Door

Glass doors are quite hardy if installed properly, but with time in use and after exposure to weather for a long period, get worn out. The wear and tear may create weak areas such as cracks in the wooden frame rendering the door unable to keep you warm, safe, and secure as before. Glass door repair becomes a necessity of urgency, and with a few steps, you can save a few dollars by repairing the door yourself.

Glass Door Repair

Wood Cracks in the frame

  • The wood making the frame gets cracked, you can fix this with a few tools such as wood glue, wood chisel, stain marker, sticky tape, and a suitable knife.
  • Insert the knife tip into the crack and insert the wood chisel tip into the crack to pry the crack further open.
  • Inject wood glue into the cracks following their pattern as you remove the knife and chisel gradually.
  • Apply sticky tape across the sealed cracks in a horizontal pattern and apply some pressure to ensure the tape holds firm.
  • Leave the setup for about six hours before removing the tape.
  • After six hours, remove the sticky tape carefully and any excess glue while staining any glue on the cracks with a stain marker.

Broken Glass

  • The glass on the door is cracked or broken. Then you will need these tools to repair the problem; wood chisel, knife, lightweight hammer, replacement glass, glass cutter, measuring tape, rubber gloves, masking tape, door sealant, and some paint.
  • Wear your gloves for extra protection of your fingers.
  • Cover the remaining broken glass on the frame with masking tape to prevent you from getting cut by the glass particles when you are removing them.
  • Remove the sealant covering the remaining glass pane with a knife.
  • Remove the glass panel frame by gently prying it loose with the wood chisel
  • Note down the frame dimensions.
  • Remove the remaining covered glass carefully and dispose of them safely.
  • Clean the grooves where the glass was by scraping it with a chisel tip while following the groove lines.
  • Measure the glass opening left and note down the dimensions.
  • Using a glass cutter, cut the glass using the dimensions but making the cut one-eighth of an inch smaller to allow for expansion and contraction due to weather change.
  • Place the cut glass in the opening while applying the masking tape to the edges entering the grooves to hold the glass in place temporarily.
  • Reinsert the wooden glass frame while removing the masking tape and secure the frame with nails.
  • Apply door sealant to both inner and outer edges of the frame, ensuring you fill the holes left by the nails.
  • Leave the setup to dry for about six hours.
  • Paint your door with two coats of paint.
  • Leave the paint to dry before using the door.

Your door should be as good as new after you apply these procedures. The result will leave you satisfied, and you will have saved some money in the process of fixing your glass door.

We provide service in many cities: Door Repair in Abbotsford, Door Repair in West Vancouver, and Door Repair in Kitsilano. Call us if you have any questions.

Do It Yourself • Doors • General Information • Tips and Tricks

How to Repair a Vinyl Door

Doors made of Vinyl, also known as Polyvinyl Chloride, are popular due to the following reasons.

Vinyl Door Repair

  • They have low maintenance requirements as they are not prone to rot like their wooden counterparts.
  • They come in several styles, which are pocket-friendly and easily installable.
  • Require less input to install, such as painting as they have the coating, which provides effective cover and color to your door.
  • Vinyl doors are excellent insulators providing energy efficiency leading to savings in energy management costs in your home.
  • Vinyl can also be combined with wood to create a protective weatherproof door making it a versatile material.

Prolonged use can expose your precious door to cracks that can significantly reduce their security if not repaired in time while allowing weather elements to cause chaos in your home.

Sliding vinyl doors’ frames are also easily affected by hot weather, which causes the door to stick, reducing its mobility. In the evening, when it becomes cooler, the door contracts. This makes the door to move smoothly. With time, this expansion and contraction generate a crack on the vinyl door frame requiring door repair. When it is winter, the door frame contracts considerably, allowing cold air in and serious energy loss in your home. The frame may also be susceptible to warping after a long period of exposure to changing weather. This movement can jeopardize your very security by weakening the door panel leaving a loophole to intruders who will prey on this weakness to pry your door open.

Cracks in your vinyl door can let in crawling insects, rodents. Without proper care given in time, the crack can degenerate the door into destruction, requiring a replacement, which would prove costly. Intruders can have a field day with those cracks if not sealed, which is a great risk to allow.

The following tips prove useful to repair your vinyl door before bad gets to worse.

  • You will need a door sealant, preferably mastic liquid-based, a caulk gun for applying the sealant, and a small metallic scoop to smoothen out the sealant after applying it.
  • Clean the area using a damp cloth to remove any dust particles, dirt, and other particles and allow the door a short while to completely dry up.
  • Using the caulk gun, which you have filled with the sealant gently, apply the sealant on the crack from the upper to the lower part. Take care not to use too much sealant.
  • Take the scoop and use it to smear the sealant evenly around the surface of the crack until it is completely sealed off. Ensure you don’t leave a lot of wasted sealant at the sides of the crack since this may make the door appear unattractive.
  • Leave the door about two days to dry up before using it.
  • Vinyl doors have numerous pros, thus making it a good choice when you wish for a low-cost energy-saving door option and repairing it is also easy.

We provide service in many cities: Door Repair in Abbotsford, Door Repair in Fort Langley, and Door Repair in Fleetwood. Call us if you have any questions.

Design • Do It Yourself • Doors • General Information • Tips and Tricks

How to Choose a Door Handle

Choosing a door handle is determined by factors such as style and how you want it to function, plus where you want the door handle to be. Door handles come in two styles; knobs and lever handle, while depending on which one you require.  Both need due consideration when selecting the right one for your doors. Door levers handles have been touted as the less difficult to use and come in a myriad of shapes and sizes. But how then, do you choose the right one? Below are five factors to consider before making your decision.

Metal Door Handle

Cost of the handle

This has to be a fundamental consideration for anyone, as you would love to have the best handle the market can provide. You would not wish to stray from your specified budget. Numerous times poor choice in handles can lead to additional unforeseen costs, especially for door accessories. Handles latches and other accessories are often sold separately when purchasing doors, and thus, consideration should be made to avoid disappointment. If you are purchasing replacement handles, it is important you only buy what fits into your door.

Look of the handle

The theme in your home will affect this consideration; for instance, the type of door in your home will affect your choice in handle style. If you have similar doors all around, you will need only purchase one type of handle. On the other hand, if your doors are different for every floor or section, you will have to mix styles, selecting the more stylish ones for rooms most often used.

Handles can add some flair to the overall look of the door, by complementing the style of the door and your home in general.

Door Setup

The type of door can influence your choice of the handle in numerous ways. Some doors are reinforced with heavy wood and, thus, require handles that can handle that weight without getting broken after minimal use. Certain doors, such as exterior doors, cannot handle hardware like handle sets, which come in sets of a handle and a deadbolt, which requires an additional hole to fit in.

Door Function

This aspect is vital since you will need to find out the expected frequency of particular door use, whether the door can be use used by the old and young. This consideration will help you choose a door handle that will suit the door while enabling easy access to the room behind the door. Some handles are best used in the front entrance while others suit furniture doors only.

Security

Some handles offer better security than others. A Mortice style lock system uses the strength of the door to secure it from intruders. During installation, a small aperture is created on the edge of the door where the lock is fitted. This provides far greater security than any other locking system in the market, such as tabular or rim locking systems. These are preferred by installation technicians due to their ease of installation and door repair. Mortice locks are drill resistant and have a heavy-duty mechanism preventing any weakness due to frequent use that intruders can capitalize on. The system also has a special type of cylinder that offers up to two thousand different key combinations, making it impossible for a thief to carry one master key to open this type of locking system.

We provide service in many cities: Door Repair in Abbotsford, Door Repair in Clearbrook, and Door Repair in East Vancouver. Call us if you have any questions.

Do It Yourself • Door lock • Doors • Tips and Tricks

How to Repair a Door Lock

Deadbolts and handles are some of the door hardware, so when we talk about repairing doors, it is the hardware that can be repaired. There are different types of doors, and their locks may vary.

There are doors’ locks that can only be repaired by locksmith and their expertise though it is a good thought to try and repair it yourself before calling them. Listed below are a few guidelines that will assist you in repair door locks.

Door Lock Repair

If Key Turns But Lock Doesn’t Open

When the key turns, but the door is still locked, then disassemble the lock and check the bolts if the cam and tang are not in alignment then realign them. The lock the problem will be solved after checking for this reassemble

When Cold Weather Impact Your Door Locks

The lock is likely to be frozen when living in a very cold country, and therefore the key is not getting into it. In such a scenario, heat the key by rubbing between your palms and then slowly insert it into the keyhole and replicate the procedure until the ice in the lock melt.

Replace the door lock part

Try and disassemble the door lock if it is not working well and confirm whether any part is broken if so, then you can replace that part instead of purchasing a whole new door lockset.

Jammed door lock

At times dirt gets accumulated in the lock, which may further hamper the key from rotating smoothly. In this case, clean the dirt, and your door lock will start working again smoothly. You can as well add some graphite in the lock by rubbing graphite on the key.

Doorknob may become loose

Loose doorknob may be as a result of the knob not in alignment with the latch to bind. Here, confirm if the spindle has been damaged than changing it. Nevertheless, try to hold the knob on the other side of the door and turn it smoothly in a clockwise position and tighten the screw until it rests alongside the flat side of the spindle.

The key turns but won’t unlock the door

When both the key and doorknob turns, but still the lock bolt isn’t working, then the problem is with the mechanism. In such circumstances, disassemble the lock and check the worn-out parts and replace them. You can as well replace the entire lock if there is more than one part that is worn out for the best results.

These are a number of useful and simple steps to repair your door locks. Also, in case the key is broken and stuck in the lock, you can try to use a needle nose to take out the broken piece. But if the problem with the lock is complex, it is always a good idea to contact a locksmith and get specialist help.

The tightening of screws and adjusting strike plates do the job if the door lock is not clicking into position.

Construction • Do It Yourself • Doors • General Information • Tips and Tricks

Guide to Replace a Patio Door

Replacing your patio door becomes very necessary, especially if you have been putting up with a rusty, sticky, foggy or broken patio door or if you are buying a home or if you just want to improve the face of your home. Doing a patio door replacement by yourself may appear scary at first. However, it is a simple do it yourself process, which saves you up to 300 dollars on expert costs. This guide will take you through a step by step process on how to install a new patio door. If you are in Vancouver and you need our help, then you can always turn to Top Door Repair Vancouver.

Patio Door Replacement

Before you venture into the replacement process, you need a checklist of the required tools and equipment plus the right side of the door. This will save you time as you will have everything handy. The following tools will be required; utility knife, table saw, tape measure, reciprocating saw, pry bar, miter saw, level, hammer, finish nail gun, drill, clamps, and a 4-in-1 screwdriver. You will also need a new sliding patio door, flexible flashing, silicon caulk, wood shims, PVC cement, and PVC still pan.

  1. Begin by getting the door opening measurements of width and height. Using the tape measure, get the length between the door frames from stud to stud right next to the old door jamb. The height should also be measured from the subfloor to the top right at the top end of the door. Take these measurements the local door dealer and go through the door catalog, compare the rough door opening requirements with your figures, and choose the right standard door.
  2. Unscrew and remove the old sliding patio from the frame. Do this by latching the door and removing the top screws to loosen and remove the inside head stop before you tilt the top of the sliding panel to the inside and lifting it off the track. You may need help from a second person if the door is heavy. Proceed to remove the stationary panel by removing angle brackets and the door frame.
  3. Clean the door frame area, check for level, and fill any voids with caulk. Apply flexible flashing on the opening sides over and below. Install a special vinyl sill pan over the flashing. Use PVC cleaner to clean the joint overlaps and seal the seams with PVC cement.
  4. Join together the new door frame as per the manufacturer’s instructions, apply silicone caulk along the length of the frame, and tip it into the opening. Centre the door frame in the opening. You can use a level and shims to ensure the frame fits squarely into the opening. Screw it in place.
  5. Tip the stationary panels and the operable panels into the door frame. Tip the stationary panels first sliding it to about ¼ inch of the side jamb, top, and bottom. Install angle clips, trims, and weather-stripping appropriately. Once this is done, rest the sliding panel wheels on the tracks and tip it into the opening. Screw the head top and slide the door about ¼ inch from the frame while checking the gap from top to bottom. Adjust to ensure the gap remains even and the door can roll freely.
  6. Install the handle and the locking hardware.

We provide service in many cities: Door Repair in Abbotsford, Door Repair in Oakridge, and Door Repair in Kitsilano. Call us if you have any questions.