If you are searching for various methods to install a deadbolt on a metal door and unable to find the best guide then this article can help you a lot. Here we have a complete step by step guide to resolve the installation issue. You can refer these steps without any issue.
Methods To Install A Deadbolt On A Metal Door
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Now that you know that you can install a deadbolt by yourself, the question is how to do it? Installing it for the first time can be a time-consuming task but it will be worth it in the end. Make sure you have all the tools so you don’t lose the pace in between the work while trying to search for something. Read the stepwise guide thoroughly so you don’t miss any step or do it wrong.
1. Measure The Door
Mark a spot 42 inches above the bottom of the door using the measuring tape on the inside of the door. Use center punch and hammer to mark it distinctly. Make another mark at the same point on the center of the edge of the door. Make sure that the marks at the back and front are equidistant from the edge.
2. Drill A Hole
Starting from the mark on the inside, drill a hole on the door using a 1/8 inch hole saw till it goes across the door. Put a doorstop to keep the doorstop stable and drill the same way from outside using the first hole as a guide.
3. Drill Again And Intersect First Hole
Now drill at the edge using a 1-inch drill bit and continue drilling till you meet the first hole.
4. Install The Bolt
Take out the bolt assembly from the set and set it into the hole at the edge. Secure it using the screws provided in the said set.
5. Install The Cylinder
Put the cylinder assembly and secure it. The key side must be on the outside.
6. Place Thumb Latch
The thumb latch must be on the inside. Secure everything with screws. Check the working of the lock by locking and unlocking using the key, it should be smooth. Deadbolts are more secure than spring-loaded locks.
They get jammed if someone tries to force their way into it. Deadbolts work best when made of steel, brass, or bronze. There are three types of deadbolts: single cylinder, keyless deadbolt, and double cylinder.
Tools:
- • Drill Set
- • Drill With Cord
- • Screwdriver
- • Combination Square
- • Protective Gear For Ears And Eyes
- • Measuring Tape
- • Extension Board/Cord
- • Hammer
- • Center Punch
Materials: NA
Methods To Install On A Hollow Metal Door
Installing a deadbolt in hollow core doors is easier since little effort is needed to make room for the components of the lock. The drilling part can be a bit tricky but that is explained later in the article.
A. Mark The door
Using a pencil, trace the borders of the plate on both sides of the door to mark the position of the locks. Make a dot in the center of both the circles drawn.
B. Measuring
Measure the distance from the edge of the door to both the dots in the center of the circle and make sure they are equidistant. Do the same from the top of the door to the dots.
C. Sawing
Drill through the dot from one side of the door and hold the drill steady while doing and be slow. Repeat the process from the other side of the door as well.
D. Deadbolt
Assemble the pieces of the deadbolt from the set which include a tailpiece, a secure plate, and a thumb turn plate. The thumb turn plate contains the lock piece.
E. Secure The Deadbolt Pieces
Secure the plate on both sides and the tailpiece. Also, set up the lock mechanism in place. Make sure the bolts line up with the lock and tighten them with a screwdriver once yin is sure of the position.
F. Thumb Turnplate
Put it over the secure plate. The holes must line up with the secure plate and secure them with screws using a screwdriver.
How Do You Screw Deadbolt Into A Metal Door?
Drilling into metal doors requires different techniques than drilling into wooden doors. You need to keep the speed of the drill slow and use a smaller drill bit (1/16 inches or 3/16 inches). If you need to use a larger drill bit, reduce the rotations per minute.
- You can put the metal layer between two wooden sheets to keep the metal sheet stable while you drill.
- Make sure you clamp them together before you start.
- You can use a step bit to get a precise and clean hole. They are mostly used for electrical boxes and steel sinks.
- They can be costlier than normal bits.
- The drill press is a viable and appropriate solution for metal drilling. They are equipped with various height and width adjustments and can drill a perfect hole.
- Make sure you wear protective gear for your eyes while drilling into metal.
- Use fluids or oils to lubricate the bits as it makes the job easier. It’s not necessary for thinner metals.
- Always use two clamps while trying to drill in metal. Stability is necessary to prevent accidents.
- Always start with drilling a smaller hole and then increase the size as per your need.
How To Replace An Old Deadbolt On A Metal Door?
Sometimes your deadbolts need replacing, it could be due to wear and tear or some defect that requires it to be open. This job can be done easily using the following steps:
- Remove the plates by loosening the screws so you can access the lock. Use a screwdriver to take out the screws.
- Take off the plate from the outer side as well.
- Unscrew the set plate as well which is visible on the side of the door and is connected with the door frame.
- You have now removed the old lock and it’s ready for you to install a new one in its place.
- You can consult a locksmith after measuring the distance between the hole and door frame for buying a new deadbolt.
- You can just follow the same steps as installing a deadbolt for setting up the new deadbolt.
Final Talk
By reading this article you have saved yourself the cost of labor and learned a new skill. If you are doing it for the first time, it might take a little bit more time than usual but you should never rush into things. You might end up doing more damage than good if you don’t do it properly. There is a step by step guide given in the article which must follow accurately. Once you are familiar with the steps, you can do it faster and better next time.
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