Add a Deadbolt Door Lock
Making your door more secure gives you peace of mind knowing it's a strong line of defense against an unwanted intruder. A good choice of door lock to install is a deadbolt which can be easily installed above the existing lock. The reason a deadbolt is easy to install is that you're not required to make a lot of tricky saw cuts in the face of the door. Instead, you only have to make 2 holes through the door. Most manufacturers of deadbolt locks offer a line of locks designed for a homeowner to install, which are sold with complete installation instructions and templates to layout the job. Be sure to follow those directions carefully.

Here's how most deadbolts are installed. First, cut out the mounting template and tape it to the door with masking tape. The template is adjustable to the thickness of the door so be sure to measure the thickness of your door and then crease the front of the template along the corresponding thickness line. This line is clearly marked on the template. Mark the center of the hole on the face of the door and on its edge by piercing the template with a sharp object like a awl, nailset, or even a large nail.

Most deadbolts require a 2 1/8-in. hole be bored through the door. The best tool for the job is an inexpensive hole saw attachment for an electric drill. You must also drill a hole in the edge of the door for the latch, so check the installation instruction for the exact size.

On some locks, you must make a mortise or slight pocket to recess the latch bolt face plate. If this is the case, put the latch into its mounting hole in the door edge and outline the shape of the plate with a sharp knife. Then use a 3/4-in. wide chisel to remove the wood inside the outline to a depth of about 1/16 in. You may have to do the same for the strike plate mounted on the door jamb opposite the latch bolt. At the very minimum you will have to drill a hole in the jamb to allow the latch bolt to extend through it and into the jamb.

The latch assembly is inserted into the hole in the door edge and then installed in the hole you bored through the door. Tighten the screws that hold the latch bolt in the edge of the door, but insert the key into the lock assembly and check for easy movement of the latch bolt before tightening the screws that hold it together.


written by the editors of HouseNet
Copyright HouseNet, Inc.

Back to Home Improvement Preview Lawn And Garden Preview Home Decorating Shopping Center