How to install a deadbolt

ÊMike Yoder /Journal-World Photo Installing a deadbolt

With the right tools and a little patience, you can install a deadbolt in your solid wooden door. If your door has a window in it, choose a double-cylinder deadbolt, one with a key on both the inside and outside. Otherwise, a single-cylinder deadbolt will be fine.

Step 1: Use the template that came with the deadbolt to mark the areas to be drilled. Deadbolts are typically installed 6 inches above the existing door knob.

Step 2: Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes on the front, back and side of the door where the lock and latch are to be installed. Use a 2 1/8-inch hole saw to drill a hole through the back of the door for the lock mechanism. It is best to drill the hole from both the front and back of the door to keep the wood from splitting.

Step 3: Shut the door and press a nail from the inside of the hole you just cut through the pilot hole on the side of the door and into the door jamb. This mark will help you center the strike plate on the door jamb when you are ready to install it.

Step 4: Open the door and use a 1-inch paddle bit to drill a hole through the side of the door and into the center of the 2 1/8-inch hole you just cut. Use the pilot hole to center the bit when drilling.

Step 5: Use the same paddle bit to drill a 1-inch deep hole into the door jamb. Use the nail hole you made earlier to center the bit when drilling.

Step 6: Insert the latch mechanism into the hole on the side of the door and use a pencil to mark the outline of the latch face plate. Remove the latch and chisel away about 1/8-inch of wood beneath the latch plate. Re-insert the latch with the correct side up, as indicated by the manufacturer. Make sure the bolt portion of the latch is retracted and use a hammer to set the face plate into the chiseled area on the side of the door. Make sure the face plate is flush with the door and the latch is level, then tighten the mounting screws

Step 7: Install the exterior portion of the lock making sure the blade of the lock passes through the latch mechanism. Align the interior portion of the lock with the exterior portion making sure blade is correctly positioned into the drive plate on the interior portion. Slowly tighten the mounting screws, alternating from side to side to assure the lock is aligned evenly.

Step 8: Test the locking mechanism to make sure it works properly. Adjust if necessary according to the manufactures directions.

Step 9: Install the strike plate on the door jamb; marking its outline and then chiseling out about 1/8-inch of wood beneath the plate. Make sure the strike plate is flush with the door jamb before installing the mounting screws.