Safety Living: Install a Deadbolt Lock

Installing a Deadbolt Lock

Tools & Materials

• Drill/driver
• Hole saw
• Tape measure
• Hammer
• Safety goggles

• Dust mask
• Wood chisel
• Combination square
• Deadbolt

The First Steps (For Internal or External Deadbolts)

Tape the surface mount deadbolt template to the door

1. An internal deadbolt should be 6"-12" above, or at least 6" below, the lockset. Check the area where you intend to place the deadbolt to make sure it won't interfere with any other door hardware. An external deadbolt can be placed anywhere on the door.
2. There will be a template for the lock in the package. Tape the template to the door according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a combination square to make sure that the template is square with the door.
3. Mark the location of the screw holes and the cylinder hole on the door. Drill pilot holes for the screws, and use a hole saw to drill the hole for the lock cylinder. Stop drilling when the pilot bit comes through the door, and finish drilling from the other side. Drilling from both sides should keep the face of the door from splintering. For steel door installation, us a bi-metal hole saw.

Install a Surface Mount Deadbolt

1. Place the cylinder ring around the cylinder with the keyhole at the bottom. Insert the cylinder and connecting bar into the cylinder hole from the outside. Set the bolt in the open position and attach the back plate to the inside of the door.
2. Align the slot in the bolt case with the connecting bar and attach the bolt case to the inside of the door. If the connecting bar is too long, snap it off at one of its break points. Test the bolt from both sides of the door.
3. Secure the strike in the bolt case. Close the door and trace the strike's outline onto the jamb. Chisel a mortise in the jamb for the strike. Test the strike in the mortise and deepen or shim if necessary. Secure the strike in the jamb and test the lock.

Install an Internal Deadbolt

1. Use a spade bit to drill the hole in the edge of the door for the bolt. Some locks require that the bolt hole be extended into the far side of the cylinder hole—check the instructions and drill accordingly. The manufacturer's instructions will give bit sizes for the cylinder and bolt holes. Take care to keep the drill squared to the door.Close the door and trace the inside of the bolt hole onto the doorjamb. You will need to reference the traced line later.

Good idea: Don't lock the drill in the ON position while using the hole saw. If the bit were to bind, the drill could be wrenched from your hands.

Mortise in door to receive the latch plate.

Latch bolt sliding into place.

Install strike box in the door jamb

2. 2. Slide the latch bolt into the bolt hole and trace the outline of the latch plate onto the edge of the door. Remove the bolt and chisel a mortise for the latch plate. Fit the bolt and latch plate back in place.
   If the latch plate isn't flush with the edge of the door, deepen or shim the mortise as needed. Screw the latch plate in place and set the bolt in the unlocked position.
3. Place the cylinder into the cylinder hole from the outside face of the door. All deadbolts are slightly different, so check the instructions to align the cylinder with the latch bolt.
4. If the lock has a thumb latch, align it with the cylinder and secure it to the inside of the door. Check the bolt to make sure it operates properly.
5. Drill a hole for the bolt as marked in the doorjamb. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the diameter and depth of the hole.
   Place the strike plate over the hole and trace its outline on the doorjamb. Chisel a mortise for the strike plate and screw the plate to the jamb.
6. If the deadbolt has a strike box, enlarge the bolt hole in the jamb to accommodate the strike box. Chisel out the mortise for the strike box and strike plate, and screw them to the jamb. Test the lock for proper operation.