Installing a deadbolt comes down to careful measuring. Confirm the backset, mark the door with the template, drill, fit the latch the right way up, line up the strike plate, and test the bolt before final tightening.
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Get the Home Security Checklist →$5.99 · instant PDF downloadWatch the full install · 10 min
Every step, start to finish: 10 minutes. Stay for the no-tape-measure trick at 2:03 and the chisel order at 6:33 that keeps the door from splitting.
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Why install a deadbolt?
Deadbolts add an extra layer of security to exterior doors and are one of the most common upgrades homeowners make. Many older doors have no deadbolt at all, or have hardware that no longer lines up. Installing one is among the most practical security upgrades for a residential door. Curious what’s inside? See how a deadbolt works.
Watch the full deadbolt installation
Installing a deadbolt can look intimidating, but once you understand the layout and measurements it gets much simpler. In this walkthrough, Bill shows how locksmiths install a deadbolt using real tools on a real residential door.
↑ The full 10-minute install video is at the top of this page · Watch on YouTube
Basic tools for a deadbolt installation
- Tape measure
- Drill
- Hole saw kit
- Screwdriver
- Chisel
- Pencil or marker
- Deadbolt installation template
Most people are surprised how straightforward it becomes once the measurements are marked correctly.
Common deadbolt installation mistakes
- Installing the latch upside down
- Drilling the hole too high or too low
- Misaligning the strike plate
- Over-tightening the screws
- Forgetting to check the door’s backset measurement
- Not testing the deadbolt before final tightening
If the bolt binds after installation, use the deadbolt troubleshooting guide to check alignment and resistance before replacing the hardware. Before buying new hardware for a working cylinder, compare when a lock can be rekeyed instead of replaced. New to the house? Run through the new homeowner lock checklist for every exterior door.
Continue your locksmith journey
Ready for another skill? Keep building one step at a time on the Beginner Locksmith Path.
Before you buy parts or book a locksmith
Use the free lock-check checklist to record your symptom, hardware and measurements. Keep it beside the matching repair guide so you buy for the problem you actually have.
Printable guides from Bill
Check every door, not just this one
After you install a deadbolt, these printable checklists help you look over the rest of the doors and entries in your home.
Printable PDFs from Kwikpick Lock and Safe. Instant download, checkout by Gumroad. More for new homeowners on our new homeowner page.
Parts and tools for this problem
Start with the matching checks in Bill’s field guides. Buy only after you identify your hardware and the cause.
Deadbolt and basic installation tools
The installation guide covers measuring, drilling and fastening. Match the door thickness, backset, bore and hardware instructions before choosing a deadbolt or drill accessory.
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