Installing a Deadbolt Lock

Every home should have installed a good deadbolt lock on their outside doors. They are better for security purposes and for peace of mind. If you decide you do want deadbolt locks on all of your outside doors it is possible to do it yourself; rather than hiring a professional to do the job for a much higher cost.

Replacing a deadbolt lock is a lot simpler than installing a new one as no drilling is needed; but following these simple steps will make it easier for you whether you’re installing or replacing.

You need to install the deadbolt higher than the door handle; the locks come in a variety of finishes to match any existing door hardware you have. The deadbolts on the inside should be around 6”-12” higher than the door handles.

Items Needed

• A deadbolt kit
• Variety of wood chisels
• A variable speed drill and also the bits and attachments (including a spade bit)
• A good pair of safety glasses
• An awl or a pencil
• A good make of hammer
• A set of screwdrivers

Step by Step

1. You need to remove any old dead bolts out of your door with a decent screwdriver, then you need to remove any screws that are on the inside of the deadbolt lock.

2. Hold both sides of lock face and then pull them securely and carefully from your door.

3. Then take any screws from the deadbolt lock plate that is located on the edge of your door.

4. Then you need to measure the diameter of the hole that is already in your door, or take the old deadbolt to a hardware store to make sure that you have all the right size parts before you start.

5. Then put the new lock in the existing hole on your door. You need to be perfectly sure that the arrow is pointing upwards and is facing outwards before you insert the lock. Also you will need all the other bits and pieces to line up perfectly with all the holes for proper installation.

6. You need to work both inside and outside halves of deadbolt lock cylinder into correct placement with each other. Make sure you adjust the dead bolt latch and then make any adjustments that are needed for your spacing before you actually insert the dead bolt latch. If you see that the latch plate is not level with the edge of the door, you need to then make it deeper or shim the cutout. Then you need to screw the plate in place and remember to set the dead bolt to the unlocked position.

7. Once you have the dead bolt into assembly and the latch plate lined up properly, you need to fasten the dead bolt into the right place with all the screws that are provided.

8. You need to be sure that your bolt plate is right on the edge of your door and that it is flush mounted on the wood. It could be necessary to make the hole bigger with your wood chisel for the plate to sit flush.

9. Then drill a hole right in to the frame of the door for the dead bolt cylinder to go into. For this you will need to use a spade bit that comes with your drill. Then drill the hole deep enough that the dead bolt fits totally into the frame of the door. Then test the location of the hole and also the depth of the deadbolt, and then tighten all of the screws.

10. Then begin to chisel a proper mortise for a strike plate to go on the frame of the door. Then make it properly flush with the frame.

11. Drill the pilot holes for the plate. Then go on to put the strike plate into a mortise that you made earlier and then go on to mark where your screws will then go. Then you need to attach your strike plate with all your screws that are provided.

12. Finally test the completed lock for correct operation.

photo by Tim Samoff / CreativeCommons