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My cousin has an external door with a knob lock and a double-deadbolt lock. She prefers not to keep the deadbolt locked. If she goes out through that door, she normally turns the knob, leaving the lock engaged, exits, and pulls the door closed, expecting it to lock as it closes.

The problem is that it is possible to close the door such that it feels fully-closed, but isn't quite closed enough to allow the lock to spring into place, and unless she's taking particular notice, it's not obvious to her that the lock hasn't closed. Then, the door remains unlocked, and a strong enough wind later in the day can cause the door to blow open.

The most obvious solution to this problem is simply to be more vigilant about making sure the door is fully closed and locked every time. However, I am wondering if there's some physical modification that she could make to the door that would make it less likely that a momentary lapse in vigilance would result in the door being non-obviously unlocked.

What modifications could be made to this door either to make it so that it's obvious to even an absent-minded user when it's fully closed and locked and when it isn't, or to ensure that it closes fully every time?

If this can be done with a minor adjustment or modification, that would be greatly preferable to any major equipment or structural changes.

Here are photos of the strikeplate, the metal box behind it, and the cavity in the wood behind that. Note the indentation in the wood where the upper-right edge of the strikeplate fits snugly. Note also that there isn't room in the cavity for the base of the metal box to move to the right.

strikeplate

metal box behind strikeplate

cavity in the wood

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    Adjust the latch so that it more easily engages? – Tyson Jun 8 '16 at 15:12
  • Install a door closer on the door. – Tester101 Jun 8 '16 at 15:13
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    I completely agree with @Tyson. This sounds less like a project that needs a new solution, but more that the existing equipment should be adjusted so that it behaves as expected. Sometimes even just adjusting the strike plate can do the job. – BrownRedHawk Jun 8 '16 at 15:15
  • @Tester101 I addressed your first questions with an edit. Is the question still potentially too broad? – Isaac Moses Jun 8 '16 at 15:18
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    @IsaacMoses without a picture it's difficult to say, thus why I asked as a question, meaning is it possible? I've moved the strickplate 1/16" before and it solved the problem you're describing. – Tyson Jun 8 '16 at 15:28
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You should check the hinges, and make sure the screws are tight and that the hinges are not worn out. Evidence of a worn out hinge will be that the door hangs at an angle, which is likely to be visible along the top of the shut door. If the door appears to be crooked, or if it wobbles when you lift it, then you should replace the hinges before moving making further adjustments.

In order to move the strikeplate so that the door shuts, you may need to enlarge the hole. Sometimes the adjustment is minor and you might have trouble putting the screws close to, or half-way overlapping previous screw holes. If you have a wooden door jamb, you can plug the old strikeplate's screw holes with a dowel rod. You should make sure the dowel is tight fitting (maybe requiring a light tapping with a hammer); use a drop of wood glue with the dowel so that the repaired screw holes are nice and solid. Let the glue dry before piloting new screw holes.

Here's a how to video about adjusting a door so that it closes.

Edit- based on pictures above here are some more details: enter image description here

Double check the hinges. If they are okay, then you need to move the strike plate about 1/8" toward 5:00.

Shopping list:

  • Sharp 1/2" chisel
  • Box cutter
  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • 1" paddle bit
  • 1/8" dowel
  • Wood glue
  • Drill
  • 1/8" drill bit
  • Dremel tool with cut-off disk
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  • Thanks very much! How can you tell from the picture which way the strikeplate needs to move? – Isaac Moses Jun 9 '16 at 21:55
  • @IsaacMoses about 1/8" toward 5:00... down and to the right... but be sure to double check the hinges first. a sagging door usually indicates worn hinges – Ben Welborn Jun 10 '16 at 12:06

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