How to Install a Door Toe Lock

Many people like to install a door toe lock as a safety feature for French doors that open to the outside of the home. Or, they can be used on interior French doors when you just want one door open. Some like them on single doors for safety reasons.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Install a door toe lock flush (even) with the bottom of the door. Come in about 1 inch from the side of the door. Most door toe locks usually come with four screw holes. Mark four screw holes with a pencil in the position where the lock is going.

2. Drill a small pilot hole in each marked spot. Doing this allows the screws to go in straight so that they don't slip and damage the door when you install a door toe lock.

3. Place the lock back on the door, aligning the screw holes with the pilot holes you've drilled. Use the four screws furnished with the door toe lock to install the lock to the door.

4. Shut the door. Flip the lock lever down. When flipped down, it has a bar that comes down, touching the floor or the threshold. Use a pencil to mark around the bar for a reference where the hole needs to be drilled. Raise the lock. Open the door.

5. Take a 1/8-inch drill bit and drill a pilot hole in the center of your mark. If your bar is ¼ inch in diameter, use a 3/8-inch drill bit. Drill in the center of your pilot hole. This will allow your bar to travel freely up and down when you install a door toe lock.