How to Install a Deadbolt Lock in 9 Steps
Protect your home and belongings with a deadbolt lock
- Tape measure
- Tape
- Electric drill
- 1/8-inch hole saw
- 1-inch spade bit
- Deadbolt
- Installation kit
If you’re looking to add more security to your home, installing a deadbolt lock is a great place to start. Luckily, installing a deadbolt can also be your next DIY project. Learn more about the types of deadbolt locks available and follow these eight steps to add a deadbolt to your door yourself.
Removing an Existing Deadbolt
Photo: photovs / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesTake off your old deadbolt by removing any screws that attach it to your door. Remove the lock and thumb turn assembly first, then remove the deadbolt. Then, you can skip to step five, as you don’t need to determine placement or drill new holes.
Determine Deadbolt Placement
Usually, deadbolts are installed 6 to 12 inches above the doorknob or lever, or roughly 44 inches from the bottom of the door. Use your tape measure to mark the spot on the edge of the door and draw a line on the interior part of the door, designating where you will install the deadbolt.
Using the same measurements, mark the same spot on the frame.
"Deadbolt locks are probably the best entry deterrents," says Bob Tschudi, Expert Review Board Member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. "It’s really hard to overcome a deadbolt lock, so it’s a necessary addition for all homes."
Place Your Paper Template
Nearly all deadbolts come with a paper template for installing deadbolts. Use this template to mark the recommended backset (the distance from the door’s edge to the center of the hole to be drilled). You can do this by taping the template directly onto the door at the horizontal line you drew in step one or by simply reading the recommended distances and marking them without the template.
Drill Lock Hole
Line the center of the hole saw with the recommended backset mark. Then, drill out a cylinder hole with the 2 1/8-inch hole saw.
After the hole saw’s pilot bit pokes through the opposite side or reaches about halfway through the door, flip the door over and finish drilling the cylinder hole from the exterior side. This step will prevent chipping and splitting.
"After all these years, drilling a 2 1/8" lock hole in a new door is still daunting," Tschudi says. "It always works out, but it’s a big first step in the process."
Drill Latch Bolt Hole
Attach a 1-inch spade bit to your drill. Use this to cut a round hole into the edge of the door that directly dissects the larger lock hole.
Install Faceplate
Cut a 1/8-inch-deep mortise using a chisel and hammer, allowing the faceplate to be flush with the door. Then, place the faceplate and bolt into the mortise (ensuring the bolt is facing the correct direction) and screw it into place.
If you want, you can add lubricant to the moving pieces of the joint now, where it’s easier to access.
Insert Latch Bolt
Insert your latch bolt. Then, push the lock portion through the hole so that the tailpiece extends through it.
The holes for the screws should line up with the exterior so that you can secure the two sides together.
Install Door Jamb
Shut the door, which now has the latch bolt and faceplate installed, and mark where the latch bolt hits. You can do this with a pencil or with lipstick, as some professionals like to use.
Then, trace a cut a mortise on the doorjamb using the strike plate as a template. Using your spade bit, drill a hole in the center of the mortise. Once you make the hole, screw the strike plate into place.
Test the Lock
With everything in place, it’s time to test. Shut the door and try turning the lock into place. If it doesn’t latch easily, adjust the screws until it does.
Types of Deadbolts
Not all deadbolts are created equal, and you can choose from a few different types when installing a new deadbolt lock. Some options are more affordable and straightforward, while others may be more expensive but come with additional features that are better for your specific situation.
Single deadbolt: This option is a simple, single-cylinder deadbolt operated with a key from the outside. Inside, the deadbolt can be locked and unlocked with a thumb turn.
Double deadbolt: This type is a double-cylinder deadbolt that requires a key to lock or unlock it from both inside and outside. These types are ideal near a window, where someone could break the window to unlock the deadbolt manually. But, double deadlocks may be unsafe in the case of an emergency.
Vertical deadbolt: This type has a vertical locking mechanism mounted on the interior surface of the door and frame. These deadbolts are bulkier but offer more security than standard deadbolts.
Smart deadbolt: You can also opt for an electronic deadbolt that can be operated via smartphone, anywhere in the world, without the use of a key. Keyless locks are just as good and durable as a single deadbolt but are the most expensive option.
DIY Deadbolt Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
You can hire a local locksmith to install a deadbolt, and this usually costs between $50 to $100, not including the cost of the deadbolt itself. But for some homeowners, the peace of mind that comes with hiring a professional may be worth the added cost. If you’re unsure of your abilities or simply don’t have the right tools at your disposal, a professional locksmith is a great resource to ensure the safety of your home.
"While contractors can install deadbolts, we often delegate it to a licensed locksmith," Tschudi says. "That’s because we know that they will always do it right and we have someone to call in case there is a problem."
That being said, since most deadbolts come with an installation template, it’s a fairly simple DIY for semi-handy homeowners. Because of this, you may want to try your hand first and then decide if you need to bring in professional help.
Cost to Install a Deadbolt
It can cost anywhere between $40 and $200 to install a deadbolt lock, depending on the type of deadbolt you choose and if you get professional help. The average cost to hire a locksmith is $50 to $100 an hour, with emergency services averaging $75 to $125 an hour.
The type of deadbolt lock influences the cost, too (including both DIY and hiring a professional). A single-cylinder deadbolt, which is the most common type found in homes, costs $40 to $70, while double-cylinder deadbolts (which need a key to unlock both sides) are $40 to $80, not including the cost of labor.
Sara Coleman contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most deadbolts purchased from a home improvement store include a step-by-step installation template that is easy to follow, even for novice DIYers. One of the most important steps for successful deadbolt installation is having the proper tools to start with and carefully measuring prior to any attempts at installation.
Yes, as long as it’s thick enough for the deadbolt. Most interior hollow core doors are at least 1 1/2-inches thick, which is usually the minimum requirement for a deadbolt. You’ll want to find the lock block first before installing. Also, most hollow doors require additional reinforcement for locks, such as a reinforcement plate or plywood block.
The lock block will either be built-in on the side of the door or run from the top to the bottom. Usually, there is a marking that indicates its location. You can also tap the door with the back of a screwdriver to find the lock block like you would find a stud in a wall.
