fresh wood door lock install
By Locksmith Tucson Commercial Locksmith • Locksmith Services • Residential Locksmith • Tips & Tricks • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

How To Do a Fresh Lock Installation on Wood & Metal Doors

Replacing an existing door lock and handle is a fairly simple process if you have the right tools and correct hardware. But what do you do if you want to install a lock on a new door or on a door that never had a lock, handle or knob? A fresh installation will require cutting and drilling both the door and into the door-frame. This process will require the right tools and precise measurement and drilling; any mistakes could end up being very costly. Listed below are the basic step for a fresh wood door lock install.

Tools needed for a fresh lock installation (wood door):

  • Hammer
  • 1” chisel
  • 2-1/8″ hole saw
  • 1” hole saw
  • 1” spade bit
  • Small drill bits
  • Electric drill/screwdriver
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Measuring tape
  • Template
  • Tarp
fresh wood door lock install

Steps for a wood door fresh lock installation:

  1. Lay down a tarp. While not necessary, it’s recommended that you start by laying down a tarp on the floor under the area where you will be working to make the cleanup of wood chips and dust much easier.
  2. Measure and mark your cuts. Most locks will come with a template to show you where to install the lock. There are also lock installation kits that you can purchase from any home improvement store that you can use as a guide for the lock installation.
  3. Cut a hole for the lock and/or knob. Once you’ve marked where you need to drill, you’ll need to use a power drill with a hole saw bit. If installing on a metal door it’s recommended that you go slow, use a variable speed drill, and make sure the bit you use is designed for cutting metal. Use a pilot tip on your how saw, cut through one side until the pilot bit pokes through and then, using the hole as a guide, complete the hole by cutting through from the other side of the door.
  4. Drill hole in the door edge. Using a spade drill bit you will next need to start a hole for the lock bolt by cutting into the edge of the door. Make sure you drill at the correct and straight angle. You can then use the 1” hole saw to complete the all the way through for a nice clean cut.
  5. Mortise area for the faceplate. Using a hammer and wood chisel you will need to cut a recess into the door edge around the bolt hole to install the lock faceplate.
  6. Install the faceplate and bolt. Drill pilot holes for the faceplate screws so that you don’t split the wood. and install the faceplate and bolt. Make sure the faceplate fits snugly and is flush with the door edge.
  7. Install the lock and/or knob. Install the door knob and lock making sure everything lines up correctly and then using your electric or hand screwdriver tighten the screws making sure that the screws are on the inside and not outside of the door ?
  8. Install the strike plate. You will need to measure and mark where on the door jam you will drill the holes and install the faceplate. Drill pilot holes for the strike plate screws so that you don’t split the wood jam when you put in the screws.
 
 

The instructions above were specifically for a wood door. Metal doors with a wood core may be a very similar install but commercial metal door may require different steps and tools.

Of course, here at Discount Locksmith we always recommend having a professional locksmith technician do any fresh lock installation for you! Our professional locksmith have the tools and experience for any door lock install and can do it quickly with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Brands of door locks we install and service:

  • Prime-line
  • First Watch Security
  • Schlage
  • Kwickseet
  • Everbilt
  • Baldwin
  • National Hardware
  • KOCKiT!
  • LockState
  • Anderson
  • Ajustco
  • Privex
  • IDEAL Security
  • Yale
  • Stanley-National
  • Global Door Controls
  • M-D Building Products
  • Toledo Fine Locks
  • Barton Kramer
  • Design House
  • Richelieu Hardware
  • Defiant
  • Faultless
  • Tell
  • Bilco
  • Gordon Cellar Door
  • ResortLock
  • Holmes
backyard shed security
By Locksmith Tucson Tips & Tricks 0 Comments

5 Easy Tips for Backyard Shed Security

Your backyard outdoor shed can be an attractive and easy target for thieves since they can be easy to get into and usually contain valuable, easy to move items such as tool, bikes and mowers. Here are five simple tips to help improve your backyard shed security.

5 easy & inexpensive tips for backyard shed & outbuilding security:

  1. Shed Structure – Inspect your shed. Plastic and metal sheds may be more secure as long as they are assembled properly and all connecting sections and bolts are tightened but a wooden shed may have loose boards or sections that may be easily pried open. Make sure your shed is maintained and the structure itself is secure.
  2. Shed Door – Strengthen the shed door. Locks and chains won’t help a weak, flimsy or rotting door that can be easily pushed or kicked open. A strong door won’t help if the decorative hinges have the bolts on the outside that can be easily removed. Make sure your shed door is in good condition, reinforced, and uses strong and properly installed hardware.
  3. Shed Lights – Add lights to your shed. Sheds are usually in remote section of the backyard, obscured from view and not well lit, if at all, making it a tempting target. Installing a floodlight or, if you don’t have access to power, solar powered motion detector lights can help deter burglars.
  4. Shed Alarms – Install security alarms. You can easily install wireless alarms to the door and windows on your shed. Vibration sensing alarms may scare away thieves before they can get in. Alarms that are triggered after a door or window is opened may scare them away empty handed or at least with less booty than they planned on stealing!
  5. Shed Locks – Lock up your valuables. It’s only common sense to have a high-quality lock on the shed door but what if that doesn’t stop the burglar? Use ground and wall anchors with locks and chains for the more valuable individual items in your shed. You can also lock items together to make them more difficult to carry or wheel away.

Want to add more shed security or upgrade repair or rekey the locks on your shed, outbuilding or storage unit? Call Discount Locksmith today for professional locksmith service. Our mobile locksmiths are available 24 hour a day 7 days a week! Click here to find a locksmith near you or call now toll free (855) 766-8899.