Adding deadbolts to your doors is a sure-fire way to help you achieve the two most important goals of homeowners—to provide the highest level of protection from intruders for your family and property.
When deciding which deadbolt is right for you, there are two main types to choose from, the internal or surface mount. The internal mount provides the highest level of security, but involves a more complicated installation procedure. No matter which type you choose, however, the presence of a deadbolt is considered highly effective protection against intruders.
Not only do they make it significantly more difficult and time-consuming for an intruder to break-in, but the very presence of a deadbolt is also known to act as a deterrent to would-be burglars.
- Initial Stages of Installation for Internal Mount Deadbolts
When preparing for installation, keep in mind that the deadbolt should be placed anywhere from 10 to 12 inches above or below the lockset. Once the location is determined, make sure the area is free from any hardware in the door that would interfere with the installation.
The installation of the deadbolt involves several easy steps. First of all, find the lock template that is included in the kit and tape it on the door in the area of the desired location of the deadbolt. To ensure that the location of the lock will be square with the door, simply tape the template to the door and line it up with a combination square. Once the template is satisfactorily aligned, mark on the door with a pencil the location of the screw and cylinder holes.
Next, drill out pilot holes for the screws, and, finally, use a hole saw to drill out the location of the lock cylinder. Please note that in order to avoid splintering the wood of the door when using the hole saw, stop drilling as soon as the pilot bit goes through the door the first time through, then drill the remainder of the way from the other side.
- Final Steps of Installation of a Surface Mount Deadbolt
First of all, place the cylinder ring around the cylinder, making sure the keyhole is at the bottom. From the outside of the door, insert the cylinder and connecting bar into the cylinder hole. Then, after setting the bolt into the open position, align the bolt case with the connecting bar and attach the case to the inside of the door. You will find that the connecting bar is perforated so that you can snap it off in case the bar is too long for the width of your door.
In order to successfully complete the installation of the surface mount deadbolt, one step remains. Close the door and trace where the strike is on the jamb, then chisel a mortise in the jamb to make a snug fit for the strike. All that remains to be done is to test the lock to make sure it is set correctly and it works properly. Now you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with making your home and family more safe and secure.