Can You Add A Deadbolt To A Steel Door

Why you should have a single cylinder deadbolt.

Can you add a deadbolt to a steel door.

Sorry the door was installed without a deadbolt. Next check out 10 amazing modern front doors. Adding a deadbolt lock can be a great way to improve the security of your steel door. Step 10 on a new door you ll need to create a mortise a slot in the edge of the door or jamb for the faceplate to rest.

As long as you don t have a steel door installing a deadbolt is a job that you can do yourself including making the cutout to chiseling in the strike. Use a grade 1 deadbolt. If the new faceplate doesn t match the old you can sometimes save time by using the old faceplate with the new lockset assembly if everything lines up and fits correctly. Steel doors are easy to drill into using a bimetal hole saw and an electric drill.

Most home centers carry grade 1 deadbolts such as schlage s maximum security deadbolt but you may have to hunt for them. Kwikset isn t the greatest choice for a steel door. The deadbolt he bought still isn t right for a retrofit without a drive in bolt unless he finds a guy with a squeeze plate to mortise the edge of the door or it gets cut out and the reinforcement tab installed. A deadbolt increases the safety and security of your home.

If all you ve got on your door is a knob lock you can add a second layer of protection with a deadbolt lock positioned 6 8 inches above or below your doorknob. To cut through a steel door make sure you get a bimetal hole saw set. Most moderately skilled amateurs can complete this task in about half an hour. Use a hole saw designed to drill through steel to cut a hole for the deadbolt lock.

Use a spade bit to cut a hole into the side of the door for. Installing a deadbolt lock on a steel door may sound intimidating but with the right tools it s a fairly simple task. Install a deadbolt lock to a steel door with help from a home improveme. Deadbolts have a grade rating of 3 to 1 1 is the toughest.

Most exterior doors are steel sided with wood cores.