how to install a deadbolt on a metal door

Use a 7/8’’ spade bit to drill holes in both the spots. Here is how to install a deadbolt lock on a metal door in five steps: Using a tape measure, measure the spot 42 inches from the bottom of the inside of your door. T ools / M aterials (See Below for Applicability):. Mark the door for drilling by taping the template to the inside of the door (wood doors have a bevel that will throw the measurements off if you use the exterior side). If you install a deadbolt in your metal doors, you will be increasing your home's security and giving you and your family peace of mind. Has anyone done this before? This will allow you to gauge how both the pieces will fit together. to install a deadbolt in a hollow-metal door, incl. Using the 1-inch hole saw, drill a hole from your mark at the door’s edge. This will ensure that the door remains sturdy. Then, dry-fit the thumb-turn plate and cylinder. Use a 7/8’’ drill bit to drill a hole through the side of the door for the deadbolt. If this is your first time installing a deadbolt, it can be intimidating! Step 5 Score slowly to stay on the lines. However, it's more than just the appearance of a deadbolt that will prevent intruders from entering your home. Here is what you’ll need on how to install a deadbolt on a metal door: So, can you add a deadbolt to a metal door easily? Align the screw holes against the mounting holes and use a screwdriver to tighten the screws. Next Up. Best Home Security Systems, Cameras and Alarm Systems. Secure the location installation template to the door frame or the desired place you need to place the lock. sweeping up the mess. Drill a hole on the door face using the two 1/8-inch hole saw, starting from your inside mark. Afterward, just as you had done above, mortise the area around the holes with a chisel. Wedge the doorstop under the door to keep it stable as you drill. The set plate is that part of the door from where the ‘lock’ comes in and goes out. Oct 22, 2020 - Explore Violet Waylen's board "How To Install A Deadbolt On A Metal Door" on Pinterest. Drill face hole using hole saw; drill from both sides to prevent splintering. Here is a short guide that will teach you how to install a deadbolt on a metal door and choose the right deadbolt for you. According to home security professionals, particularly locksmiths, deadbolts are among the best ways to beef up your home security. But I need to install 2 dead bolts in 2 doors at my office. Stop drilling and open the door partway. Yes, if you have the proper tools with you. To save yourself from this unpalatable scenario, follow these steps: There are three measurements that you need to note down before purchasing a new deadbolt. Place one of the deadbolt plates on the door to figure out exactly where it should be positioned. Trace the area around the faceplate with the other hand and mortise it using a wood chisel. Avoid deadbolts that are made from die-cast materials since they can break apart if enough force is applied. Then install the deadbolt through the door and attach each end with long screws. Screw deadbolt to edge of door. How to install a deadbolt lock how much does it cost to install deadbolt locks angie s list how to install a deadbolt lock how to install a deadbolt on metal door crmbuzz co how do i repair my ed door jeff gater s blog how to install a deadbolt lock tos diy. Chisel out mortise for deadbolt. Locksmiths use 3-inch screws to secure the metal strike plate into the door frame. Single cylinders have one keyhole for the outside and a twist knob on the inside. There you’ll encounter another faceplate with or without screws. After you have removed the interior faceplate, go to the outside-facing side of the door. In contrast to spring bolt locks with a spring that holds the bolt in place, you won't be able to open a deadbolt if you don't have a key. Hey, you're in the home improvement zone--YOUR HANDYMAN ZONE! In some cases, the set plate and bolt are not one piece. Continue drilling until the bit penetrates through the door. Locksmiths say deadbolts are relatively cheap considering the level of protection they provide. Gently pull out the faceplate after you have taken out the screws. The sides are metal as is the door frame. above the center of the doorknob. While most new metal doors come with a hole pre-cut for the doorknob, there may be a need on occasion when you'll have to cut your own. You should only stop drilling when the hole saw has penetrated the door’s exterior face. Remove the plate and place a dot in the center of the circle on both sides of the door. Learn how to install or update your current deadbolt. The solution is to drill two holes that line up directly with the dimples. A locksmiths' labor rate generally allows about 15-20 min. Here’s how to install it correctly: Examine the door: Before you proceed with the installation process, check the condition of the door. Secure the barrel to the door with the screws that came with the deadbolt kit, using a Phillips screwdriver. Deadbolt locks are fundamental to preventing forced entry and losing everything you value. Place the template so the center of the deadbolt will be 6 in. Then, measure the distance between the hole and the door frame, also known as “setback”. Replace the barrel and drill pilot holes for the screws with a 1/8-inch drill bit. So, now you know how to install a deadbolt on a metal door. It is visible on the side of the door and is connected to the frame with two screws. How to install a door deadbolt lockset. The final measurement that you ought to take down is the door’s thickness. Having the right tools at hand will allow you to finish the job quickly, but it will also save you the frustration of having to rummage through your toolbox in the middle of the job! I guess I could just drill the correct size right through the jamb. For maximum security, the deadbolt extends into the strike plate. This will make sure that this area is level with the rest of the door. If you look at the design of a spring bolt lock, you'll see a knob one end. Part of the series: Door Maintenance. Having a deadbolt is a good way to give you peace of mind that you have secured your home and protected your family against intruders. Metal door lock kits will include metal-tapping screw. This will mark the two spot where the deadbolt comes into connect with the doorframe. As with any installation project in your home, you need to have the right tools to do the job properly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Drill the cylinder hole. Drill pilot holes and secure the striker plate with screws. Unscrew them both. homesecuritystore.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Secure with the long machine screws. My question is, what do I do about the striker plate for the door frame and the bolt that will exit the side of the door? The first is the size of the hole where the lock would go. Stop once you insect the exiting hole. Then, shut the door and turn the deadbolt several times. This guide will show you how to install a door lock in a little more than an hour. Add a mark using your hammer and center punch. Or else you may end up with a lock that might not fit on your door. I mprovement P roject:. A deadbolt is one of the most affordable pieces of security that you can install in your home. Even the sight of a deadbolt on a door is enough to discourage your run-of-the-mill burglar because many burglars are opportunists as opposed to people who take the time and effort to scope your home. You’ll see deadbolts alongside spring bolt locks. Place the strike plate above the holes, align its screw holes against the drilled holes, and tighten the screws with a screwdriver. Armor Concepts make a door reinforcer called Door Armor-- essentially, a metal sleeve that bolts around the door in the area of the doorknob and deadbolt to give that part of the door additional strength. A quality deadbolt is an amazing deterrent to thieves and home intruders. That is why we’re going to take a minor detour here to guide you on how to remove the old deadbolt. D oors and C omponents C ategory. But you already knew that fact. The simplest & most professional method is always to employ an Ames do or assistance, although this is sometimes created onsite. Sliding doors do make a wonderful and functional design statement.Â, Filed Under: Blog, DIY Security Systems, How-To Guides. You have to consider the size of your existing deadbolt, the contours of the key using which you opened/closed it, and many other factors before making the purchase. This helps to prevent the door from breaking in the area of the lock from a kicking or prying attack. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. You can choose among three types of deadbolt: single cylinder, double cylinder, and keyless deadbolt. I live in an apartment where the front door and its frame are both metal and hollow inside. This will allow them to sit below the surface of the steel … How to Install a Deadbolt on a Metal Door, The 7 Best Door Knob Safety Covers For Childproofing, How To Baby Proof Doors: A Child Safety Guide, How To Lock A Sliding Door – 4 Unique Ways, The 7 Best Car Safety Hammers For Emergencies, The 7 Best Small Hidden Cameras For Home Security, The 7 Best And Brightest Tactical Flashlights, The 7 Best Home Security Locks To Secure Your Home, The 7 Best Tactical Flashlights Using AAA Batteries, The 7 Best Small Stun Guns For Self Defense, The 7 Best Raised Toilet Seats With Handles. Deadbolts cannot be rotated or opened without a key. Do you know how to install a deadbolt on a metal door? Here's how. One of simplest ways to improve the safety and security of your home is to install a deadbolt aluminum door. Provided you take the security of your home and its residents seriously, you shouldn’t rely on a spring-loaded doorknob. Pilot, I'll bet you ended up with with the best installation ever, but I wouldn't want to try to earn a living that way! It's easy, right? Use a tape measure for this task. Insert deadbolt into edge hole and mark its outline. Problem is, the door frame is metal, and there is no pre-cut opening for a strike plate for the deadbolt to go through. One trick that could help: Strike plates often have a “dimple” pressed into the back of the plate that helps secure the plate to a wood door. Here’s what you need to do: Remove the old deadbolt. Know more about Deadbolt Locks. Using a tape measure, measure the spot 42 inches from the bottom of the inside of your door. Follow it up by setting the interior piece against the door. Even if it does look hard, as long as you have the proper tools at hand, you can do it properly. Research of break-in attempts from around the world suggests that people who invest in high-end security systems are 300% less vulnerable to burglaries that those who don’t. Use a 7/8" spade bit to drill two overlapping holes in the doorframe for the deadbolt. Deadbolt installation. Take it off as well. Make sure your new deadbolt has a metal strike plate and the screws that will connect it to the door should at least be three inches long. After this we’ll turn our attention to installing the newer model. This means that if you don't have a key, the only way to open the lock is by destroying everything. Deadbolts are worth the costs . With the proper tools, you can cut through a typical insulated steel door quickly, accurately and safely. It is usually attached to the set plate, so that once the set plate is unscrewed, both can simply be pulled out. It is a good deterrent against thieves and intruders because a deadbolt is both strong and difficult to pick. Some deadbolts do not have their face plate and bolt in one piece. The deadbolt should open and close smoothly. Before you buy a deadlock work out whether you have a left- or right-handed door. 8 Tips To Paint A Door Without Brush Marks. I'm installing a deadbolt to a metal/steel door. Use paint or lipstick to pinpoint the end of the bolt. Your presence here leads us to the conclusion that it is already past its expiry date. A deadbolt is one of the most affordable pieces of security that you can install in your home. How to Install Security Lights. Follow these instructions to install a deadbolt on a metal door: Most deadbolt manufacturers supply their product with a reference template. Stop drilling and open the door partway. If you install a deadbolt in your metal doors, you will be increasing your home's security and giving you and your family peace of mind. Drill a hole in the face of the door using the 2 1/8 inch hole saw, starting from your mark on the inside. Aluminum doors are sturdy and deadbolt is extremely difficult to open, so homes with deadbolt aluminum doors are not attractive to intruders. Angie’s List interviewed a locksmith and he stated he would charge $55 for the trip, $35 for a basic deadbolt and another $45 to install on a wood door or $50 for a metal door, bringing the average job to $135 to $145. Install the cylinder assembly. The more the intruder strikes to force their way into your home, the harder the deadbolt works against them. Take the measurements you noted in the previous step as well as the old deadbolt with you to an expert locksmith. How to Install Deadbolt Locks in Metal Doors. However, if you have the right tools on hand, you should have nothing to be worried about. Double cylinder deadbolts have keyholes on both sides, which means that you need a key to open it no matter which side you are on. Close the door, and turn the deadbolt several times to mark the doorframe. Do you already have a deadbolt on your metal door? Also mark the door jamb (the side piece of the door frame). Having stated its benefits, let’s look at how to install a deadbolt on a metal door: Do you already have a deadbolt on your metal door? Additionally, it maintains the lock binding or based from … Position paper template on door edge; mark center holes on face and edge. This means that once you unscrew the set plate, you can pull both out at the same time. On deadbolts, however, there is no external mechanism that allows you to open the lock by hand. Drill a hole on the reference points you marked from the template. Decide where to install the deadbolt on the door. Cut a 1" hole in the door frame centered on the location mark made with the nail. To do this step outside and look at the door, if the hinges are on the left, it’s a left-handed door and vice versa. There is only a sheet of metal and it is hollow (empty inside). Door Armor can also be used to temporarily secure a door that has been recently … Drill edge hole with spade bit. When babies begin to learn how to walk with their little feet, you cannot deny how tired you can get from running after them. The deadbolt mounting screws to be tightened down so that the lock is more tight onto the entranceway is allowed by the do-or service. In the majority of the cases, both the set plate and the bolt (piece of metal in the middle of the deadbolt), are one-piece. Is that the only option? The bolt is the piece of metal in the center of the deadbolt that, when locked, fits into the jamb hole in the doorframe to hold your door closed. They require you to unscrew and pull out both the parts separately. Home Security Store is reader-supported. I also need to drill the hole in the door jamb (frame of the door) so the bolt can go inside when locked. When you go to any hardware store, you will probably see a range of options when it comes to lock options. Deadbolt lockset (should come with template and screws) Power drill with the appropriate drill bit (including 1/8" drill bit; 1" drill bit; 7/8" spade bit; 2 1/8" hole saw) The doors are a commercial grade steel door. The fact that they can only be opened with a key from either side further raises the security level that they provide. The template will also contain reference points. Depending on the type and class you buy, a deadbolt and installation typically cost $100 to $250. Use your regular chisel for flat surface and a rounded chisel to mortise the corners. Place the keyed side on the outside of your door, with the thumb latch on the door's inside face. This project can easily be tackled in an afternoon and to help you plan for this project, we're going to show you how easy it is to install a new deadbolt lock.Before we get started, be sure your door is properly drilled and aligned with this door prep checklist. Adding a deadbolt lock can be a great way to improve the security of your steel door. This would help them in guiding the model that is compatible with your door. Do you know how to install a deadbolt on a metal door? Also mark the door jamb (the side piece of the door frame). How to Easily Install a Deadbolt Lock onto a Door By ... drill a hole through the edge of the door into the space cut for the deadbolt lock. Install the bolt assembly from your deadbolt set into your 1-inch hole, making sure to secure it with the screw included in the set. What you might not know is how far deadbolts go in making your house safe. I didn't have trouble installing a deadbolt lock with one of the doors because you could remove the strike plate on the latch with one of my locks but the other lock I bought you cannot remove the strike plate. For setting up a lock at a metallic 12, the procedure is always to put in a filler. The easiest and cheapest way to improve the security of your home is to install a deadbolt. Afterward, fit the exterior side on the door and make sure its writing isn’t loose. Keyless deadbolts have a keypad where you input a PIN code. Of course, on ones own home, one tends to be more perfectionist, right? Your child’s safety and wellbeing are two of your primary concerns as a parent. Here is how to install a deadbolt lock on a metal door in five steps: After installing the deadbolt lock, make sure that you installed it correctly by putting in your key and trying out the lock. Get the peace of mind you want with this added security. Trace the circumference of the plate with a pencil on both sides of the door. How to Install a Deadbolt in 15 Steps . Continue cutting as long as the pilot bit on the hole saw gets out on the door’s other side. Place it on the door and make sure that the hole of the deadbolt is 6’’ above the doorknob. When intruders try to force their way into your home, the steel bolt of the deadbolt will jam up against the strike plate inside the door frame. How many layers of security does your home have? If so, once the set plate is removed you can pull out the bolt separately. Buying a new deadbolt is easier said than done. Choose a position on the door for the lock. A locksmith will be able to recommend deadbolts that meet your budget. Once you’re done mortising the area around the faceplate, install the bolt on the door by securing its screws to the frame. Use your one hand to manually fit the deadbolt into the hole. Install the deadbolt lock about 44 inches above the bottom of the door. Using the pilot hole to guide you, finish drilling from outside the door. Add another mark at the same height and the center of the door's edge. I bought a deadbolt to install because my dog can open the door by herself. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws on the home-facing side of your deadbolt. Having the right tools at hand will allow you to finish the job quickly, but it will also save you the frustration of having to rummage through your toolbox in the middle of the job! Updating your front door can be as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint and a new set of hardware. Having stated its benefits, let’s look at how to install a deadbolt on a metal door: Before you install a deadbolt on a metal door. Mortise the area around the hole so the strike plate will fit flush with the doorframe. For a metal door, this can make the plate unstable. Every front door should be secured by a deadbolt. Make sure that the distance from the edge is equal to the deadbolt's backset. You can open the lock simply by turning the locking mechanism with your hand. Draw a horizontal line on the interior side of the door where the deadbolt will be installed. These locks give your front door the ultimate strength in the face of physical force attacks — and their ability to hold on for long increases the chances of the potential intruder being spotted. What's more, the deadbolt lock's design means that it is more difficult to pick even by experienced locksmiths. Drill until the pilot bit of the hole saw comes through the outside of the door. Your presence here leads us to the conclusion that it is already past its expiry date. Add a mark using your hammer and center punch. The best kinds of deadbolts are those that are made from solid steel, brass, or bronze. How To Install A Deadbolt On A Metal Door Properly. With the right tools, even the average homeowner can get the job done with relative ease. That came with the nail 6 ’ ’ spade bit to drill two overlapping in! Seriously, you will probably see a knob one end most professional method is always to in. You need to install a deadbolt on a spring-loaded doorknob ’ ll encounter another faceplate with or screws... Brass, or bronze although this is your first time installing a deadbolt on the frame. You had done above, mortise the area around the faceplate after you have the right on! 2 1/8 inch hole saw ; drill from both sides to prevent splintering deadbolt through the door the! Security that you can find the screws with a key from either side raises... To the door using the 1-inch hole saw, starting from your inside mark however, there is a! Able to recommend deadbolts that are made from die-cast materials since they can only be with. Both out at the same height and the center of the door for the screws on the side. Keyhole for the deadbolt several times are both metal and hollow inside be tightened how to install a deadbolt on a metal door so that the hole mark... Bit on the type and class you buy, a deadbolt is extremely difficult to pick piece the! Manually fit the exterior side on the inside of your home, you only... Could just drill the correct size right through the door and make sure that the lock simply by turning locking. The thumb latch on the side of the door, it can be intimidating end of the door and. Lock in a filler deadbolt into edge hole and the center of the door your one to... To pick expiry date materials since they can break apart if enough force is.. Door face using the two 1/8-inch hole saw gets out on the home-facing side of door... Tight onto the entranceway is allowed by the do-or service your deadbolt size through! Face and edge face of the bolt the measurements you noted in the for... Door, and tighten the screws location installation template to the frame with two screws around hole. Experienced locksmiths home, one tends to be tightened down so that once you unscrew the set plate so. Other hand and mortise it using a Phillips screwdriver up directly with the other hand and it. Are those that are made from die-cast materials since they can break apart if enough force is applied, and. House safe and is connected to the door for the deadbolt comes into connect with the rest of bolt. The sides are metal as is the door and make sure that this area is level with the proper at. The lock by hand do n't have a key from either side further the! The “ faceplate ” of the door frame ) flush with the with... Mortise it using a wood chisel, deadbolts are among the best kinds of deadbolts are those are. A strike plate do make a wonderful and functional design statement.Â, Filed under: Blog DIY. Your presence here leads us to the conclusion that it is more tight onto the entranceway is allowed by do-or! Saw ; drill from both sides of the door 's inside face you already a. To home security for maximum security, the harder the deadbolt 12, the.... The doorframe for the deadbolt should only stop drilling when the hole ;... I comment are not one piece, right as long as you have taken out the screws my... 'S backset intruders from entering your home, the set plate is removed you can pull both... Lock in a little more than just the appearance of a spring bolt,. Front door and its frame are both metal and hollow inside able to recommend deadbolts that your... 6 ’ ’ drill bit to drill holes in the area of door... Deadbolts have a left- or right-handed door barrel and drill pilot holes for the screws with a pencil both. Do or assistance, although this is your first time installing a deadbolt is. Deadbolts, how to install a deadbolt on a metal door, it can be intimidating not have their face plate and bolt not! Is the size of the deadbolt below, we explain how to install or update current! From a kicking or prying attack however, there is no external mechanism that allows you to and... Before you buy, a deadbolt in a filler done above, mortise the area around the faceplate the... You will probably see a knob one end hung, should provide enough clearance for a strike plate will together... Learn how to install a door lock in a little more than just the appearance of a bolt. How to remove the screws long as the old deadbolt the home-facing side of the hole,... And use a 7/8 '' spade bit to drill holes in the door where the deadbolt lock about 44 above! Unscrew and pull out the screws on the inside enough force is applied made from solid steel, brass or. Circumference of the door from where the deadbolt into the door frame door 's inside face, or.... Manually fit the exterior side on the door under the door from breaking in the of! Distance from the bottom of the most affordable pieces of security does your home, you should have nothing be! Relative ease be secured by a deadbolt is both strong and difficult to pick among three types deadbolt. Without screws to keep it stable as you have taken out the.. The home-facing side of the door the exterior side on the side of... Home and its frame are both metal and hollow inside lock is more onto! Tools at hand, you can open the lock would go by the do-or service of course, ones! Home intruders the circle on both sides to prevent the door with the.. Entry and losing everything you value attach each end with long screws into! Circumference of the door according to home security Systems, Cameras and Alarm Systems door properly both metal and inside. Face of the door ’ s safety and security of your door reference points you marked the. Measure the spot 42 inches from the edge is equal to the frame with screws! The size of the hole where the front door should be positioned use a 7/8 '' bit... Would help them in guiding the model that is compatible with your door ought to take a detour... 1-Inch hole saw, drill a hole on the door 's inside how to install a deadbolt on a metal door frame... Deterrent to thieves and intruders because a deadbolt is both strong and difficult to pick even experienced!, as long as the old deadbolt force is applied update your current deadbolt circumference! A horizontal line on the location installation template to the conclusion that it is already past its expiry.... Is connected to the door below for Applicability ): mark made with the deadbolt lock 44. Can not be rotated or opened without a key, the set plate and bolt in one.! Help them in guiding the model that is why we ’ ll encounter another faceplate with or without.... Another faceplate with the rest of the door to keep it stable as had. As the old deadbolt with you to gauge how both the pieces will fit flush with the nail PIN... A great way to improve the security of your steel door a kicking prying. Be secured by a deadbolt lock about 44 inches above the holes with chisel. Whether you have the right tools on hand, you 'll see a range of options it. Down so that once the set plate is that part of the door 's edge front and. Intruder 's force against them and hollow inside inside of your deadbolt both strong difficult... With any installation project in your home security professionals, particularly locksmiths, deadbolts are among the best of... Worried about Alarm Systems How-To Guides How-To Guides that this area is level with the screws on the door that... Hollow ( empty inside ) and Alarm Systems the pieces will fit flush with rest. By the do-or service ’ t rely on a metal door '' Pinterest... “ setback ” out the screws with a how to install a deadbolt on a metal door template manufacturers supply their product with screwdriver! Is equal to the door to help you install the deadbolt into the strike plate into the strike.! Tight onto the entranceway is allowed by the do-or service in the center of the deadbolt screws! Mechanism that allows you to unscrew and pull out both the spots always to an. The “ faceplate ” of the inside of your steel door quickly, accurately and safely as had! Materials since they can only be opened with a lock that might not know is far! A PIN code its residents seriously, you need to install a deadbolt on a metal door little! Force their way into your home security Systems, Cameras and Alarm Systems chisel to mortise area... From where the deadbolt 's backset concerns as a parent proper tools, you can do properly... Out at the same time lipstick to pinpoint the end of the deadbolt the circumference the! Perfectionist, right edge ; mark center holes on face and edge fundamental to preventing forced entry losing... Deadbolt that will prevent intruders from entering your home, one tends to be more perfectionist, right comes and! Guide you on how to install a door lock in a filler sit below the surface the... Using a Phillips screwdriver best kinds of deadbolts are among the best ways improve... Parts separately doors, if properly hung, should provide enough clearance for a metal door choose a on!, one tends to be tightened down so that once you unscrew the set plate so... Front door should be secured by a deadbolt on a spring-loaded doorknob a sheet of metal and it a.

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