How to Install a Deadbolt Lock

A deadbolt lock can be a good investment because it can add a substantial amount of security to an exit door in your home. Another plus is, they're not hard to install. As long as you can read and follow instructions, and use a few tools, you can install a deadbolt lock in less than an hour.

Doing it yourself will also save you quite a bit money. A contractor offered to install deadbolt locks on my home... at a rate of fifty bucks per lock. I didn't have to think twice about opting to do the job myself.

There are basically two type of locks: single-keyed and double-keyed. A single-keyed lock has a keyhole on the outside and a turn knob on the inside. This type of lock needs a key to get in the door from the outside. But, to get out from the inside, all you need to do is turn the knob.

A double-keyed deadbolt lock has a keyhole on the inside and on the outside. This means you not only need a key to get in the door, but you need a key to get out as well. This set up offers the most security, but, if the key gets lost, you and your family won't be able to exit the doors if they're locked.

When you first open up the package, and see all the parts, they might intimidate you. But don't let them. Just follow the steps one at a time, and you'll soon see how it all fits together.

The first step is to decide where on the door the lock will be installed. Professionals recommend placing the deadbolt lock about six to eight inches above the existing lock. Then, you'll need to fold and use the paper template the manufacturer provides in the lock kit. The template will show you where you need to drill the two holes in the door. Mark the door where you need to drill.

The second step is to use an electric drill to bore the holes in the door. The hole on the side will probably be an inch in diameter- check the instructions that came with the deadbolt lock for exact details. A screw bit for wood will do the job well. The long lockset piece will be inserted here.

The second hole, which will be on the face of the door, will probably be 2-1/8 inches in diameter; that's standard. The latch part will be inserted in this hole.

The third step is to place the long latch into the hole on the door edge. Make sure you have the latch in the "UP" position. (The locks I used had the word "UP" stamped in it. That made it easy!) Hold the latch so it's squarely set in the hole. Then, use a pencil and draw lines around its perimeter. Remove the latch and use a wood chisel to carefully remove the excess wood from the hole. The hole will need to be about an eighth of an inch deeper so the latch can lay flush inside it.

Now, install the latch into the door edge and secure it with the screws the manufacturer provided.

The fourth step is to install the strike plate. You'll need to use your electric drill to bore a hole that is probably an inch deep and an inch in diameter. Again, check the deadbolt lock instructions for details. Then, you'll need to use the wood chisel again to make a hole that's deep enough and wide enough to accommodate the strike plate.

Once the hole is made, install the strike plate and screw it into place.

The fifth step in this project is to place the cylinder over the hole on the face of the door. You'll need to make sure the blade is inserted into the latch cross. Also, make sure the mounting holes are lined up.

And finally, here's the step you've been looking for: place the knob side of the deadbolt lock onto the opposite side of the door. Make sure the blade from the cylinder is in the slot. Then use the screws provided to secure the three pieces of the deadbolt lock together.