How to Install a Lock on an Exterior Door
The deadbolt lock is the second-most common lock on home exterior doors. The deadbolt uses a bolt to go deeper into the door jamb than standard doorknob locks. This provides for extra security and peace of mind. You can install a lock yourself with little difficulty. Home improvement centers sell a wide variety of deadbolt lock kits. Once you have a kit, it is a matter of drilling a couple of holes and assembling the lock to your exterior doors. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Masking tape
- Deadbolt lock kit
- Nail
- Pencil
- Drill
- 2-inch hole saw
- Wood chisel
- Hammer
- 7/8-inch wood paddle bit
Instructions
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1
Tape the template that comes with the lock onto the door with masking tape. The template will have the center locations for the lock hole as well as the cut line for the strike plates.
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2
Use the template as a guide to mark the center of the holes for the lock and latch. Make a small indention through the template at the center marks of the holes with a nail.
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3
Drill the hole for the lock through the door with the 2-inch hole saw at the template mark. Drill through one side of the door until the hole saw bit just comes through the other side. Pull the hole saw out and finish drilling the hole on the other side. This will keep the wood from splintering.
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4
Remove the hole saw from the drill and place the 7/8-inch wood paddle bit in the drill. Drill the hole for the deadbolt through the edge of the door with the paddle bit at the template mark. Drill the hole through to the hole you cut for the deadbolt cylinder.
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5
Place the latch plate on the edge of the door, lining up the deadbolt hole on the latch plate with the hole on the door edge. Trace the latch plate with a pencil. Carve the wood away for the latch plate on the edge of the door with a wood chisel and hammer. The latch plate should fit flush with the door edge after carving the area out with the chisel.
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6
Set the latch plate into position and secure the plate to the door with the supplied wood screws and a Phillips-head screwdriver. Install the deadbolt assembly into the latch plate fitting the assembly through the cylinder hole.
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7
Assemble the front and back of the deadbolt lock assembly over each side of the door and through the deadbolt assembly. Secure the lock assembly together with the retaining screws. Test the lock with the key to ensure that everything is working correctly.
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8
Place the deadbolt in the lock position and partially close the door. Mark the deadbolt position on the jamb with a pencil. Open the door and hold the strike plate against the door jamb and trace the outline with a pencil. Chisel out an area inside the trace for the strike plate to sit. The strike plate should be flush with the door jamb.
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9
Place the strike plate in the jamb and make a mark on the jamb for the center of the deadbolt. Use the paddle bit to drill a hole deep enough into the jamb to accept the deadbolt when the door is in the locked position.
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10
Install the strike plate into the jamb using the retaining wood screws. Close the door and test the lock operation in the jamb.
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Tips & Warnings
Always refer to manufacturers instructions on specifics for your model of lock.
