Installing a Deadbolt

Position of the deadlock can be about 12 inches above the lockset (typical) or about 6 inches below it. This spacing provides a "double" lock effect one from the lockset and one from the deadlock. However, no instructions have been cast in concrete that say the deadlock has to be in this position. It could be at the top or bottom of the door. The problem here may be inserting the key. Or, you could install two deadlocks-one above and one below the regular lockset.

1. Measure, mark, and position the template for the deadlock on the door. Then X the spot where the point of the auger bit is positioned. If no template is furnished, measure up or down about 12 inches from the lockset. Mark this point.
2. With an auger bit, drill the hole for the cylinder through the surface of the door. Then, mark with a nail point the position for the bolt and drill this hole from the edge of the door to the hole for the cylinder. The size bit you need can vary. Check the size on or in the deadlock package.
3. Install the bolt in the hole in the edge of the door and mark an outline of the plate on the door edge. Remove the bolt. With a chisel, cut a mortise for the plate. The depth of cut should be the thickness of the plate.
4. Insert the bolt in the hole and fasten it to the door with the screws provided.
5. Insert the cylinder, working from the keyed part (exterior) to the thumbscrew (interior). Screw the parts together from the interior. Test the lock with the key and/or thumbscrew.
6. Locate the strike plate as detailed above for a regular lockset. Some deadlocks have a double strike plate. That is, the flush-mounted plate is backed up with a reinforcing plate. If your lock has this feature, drill the hole for the bolt and mortise for the flush-mounted plate. Install the reinforcing plate first, using 3 inch screws driven into the jack stud. Then screw on the flush mounted plate. If the bolt has to be extended to go into the deeper bolt hole, adjust the cylinder and thumbscrew along the bolt where the cylinder assembly goes through. There should be an extra hole or slot for this.

MASTER KEYING DATA:
If you are installing new exterior locksets at your house, you may want to have the locks "master keyed" so one key fits all locks. Some retailers that sell locksets have the equipment to master key. There may be a charge for this.

To master key a lock, one lock must be chosen. The other similar locks are then disassembled and re-pinned to match the prime lock. Depending on the lock manufacturer, master-keying can take an hour or several hours to do.

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