11 Ways To Completely Redesign Your Replacement Door Lock
How to Choose a Replacement Door Lock
The door lock is the most crucial element of your home's security. When they wear out or become compromised, it's time to replace them.
Changes to locks can also be a great method to refresh your home decor or give you an additional sense of security following a divorce or blended family. Learn the fundamentals of installing a new door lock.
Replacement vs. rekeying
Changing your locks can improve the security of your home. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of replacing locks or rekeying them.
Generally speaking, rekeying is the best option for those who are not looking to change out their entire lockset. It's a quicker and less expensive alternative to replacing the entire lockset since you just need to change the pins inside the cylinder. Rekeying your locks can cause them to work with a different set of keys, nullifying the old ones and making it more difficult for those with access to your business or home.
This is a popular choice for new homeowners who wish to ensure that previous owners or anyone else who has a copy of the key cannot enter the property without being taken in. This is also helpful to those who are concerned about a rogue office worker, as they can use it to prevent them from gaining access to sensitive information or areas in the building.
However, rekeying only gives you a limited amount of security advantages. It's not much to deter people from physically forcing their way in, and it does nothing to stop them if they do manage to force their way into the premises in any way. If you're concerned about this, consider upgrading your locks to a deadbolt instead of simply changing their keys.
Rekeying locks may be necessary when your locks have been taken. It's a regular occurrence for businesses, and it's crucial to act quickly in the event of a theft. Rekeying your locks can stop thieves from getting access to the sensitive areas of your business. It will also make it easier for you to make a police report in the event that there is a problem.
The most effective reason to change locks is when they're damaged or broken beyond repair. This could be as easy as a stuck bolt that isn't moving or a broken handle that won't let you open. You might want to replace your locks if you have low-quality hardware that is easily altered. For example a lever or doorknob with spring-loaded latches can be removed using credit card.
Take a look at your door
You must first know the dimensions of your door before you select a lock. You can measure these dimensions using the tape, a pencil or pen. The measurements you get using your fingers or arm's length are not accurate. Measure the width of the opening from the top, middle and bottom. Don't include the frame. You can also measure from the floor to the threshold (for an interior door) or the top of the frame.
If your door is already drilled for a mortise locking system you'll need to take some extra measurements. The backset is measured from the edge of the door to the center hole. The most commonly used backsets (or 44mm & 57mm) are 1" & 2". After you've chosen the location of your deadbolt, you'll need to know the depth of the hole in the door, which is measured from the top of the door to the centerline of the latch actuating hole in new installations or from the bottom of the door to the top of the strike in existing openings.
Then, you'll have to decide if your new door is going to be in-swing or out-swing. This is important because certain locks require special installation techniques that are based on the direction of swing.
It's time to go shopping for a new lock now that you have all of your measurements! Keep all of your measurements in a secure place and bring them with you when you go to pick the lock. This will ensure that you have the perfect fit and your door is beautiful! Best of luck and have fun shopping! If you have any concerns, feel at ease to reach us! We're always ready to assist! We're open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 6PM. We can also be reached via Facebook or Twitter. We would love to hear from you!
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You'll need to select the best lock for your home. The best locks are high-graded and provide a good deterrent to would-be thieves. Grade 1 locks are the strongest and recommended for front doors.
Start by visiting the website of the manufacturer. The majority of manufacturers will provide complete installation instructions and have hotlines for customer support. They will also have recommendations on how to install their products in your specific door. This will aid you in deciding if this is something you could do yourself or if a contractor will be required.
If you're installing a new lock it is essential that you choose the right size keyhole. If the hole isn't big enough it will need to be it enlarged or find an alternative style of lock. You will also need to take into consideration the thickness of your doors, as not all deadbolts are compatible with all doors. They usually come with a rating of 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches, but if your door is thicker or thinner you'll need to find a deadbolt that fits correctly.
The lock's materials are important to consider. You don't want to invest in an unreliable lock that could be a simple target for thieves to gain entry to your Burlington, MA, home. Find a lock that has the highest rating from BHMA.
You may need to check the security rating on the knob and lever of your door in case you have a more recent door to make sure they meet your requirements. This is especially true for families with children living in the house, or if the previous owners have keys to your house.
Replacing locks is a relatively simple DIY project. You can replace your locks in less than an hour if you have the proper tools. This is a great method of updating the look of your house without costing you a fortune. You'll also be able to feel secure knowing that your possessions and family are secure.
Install the Lock
Your Burlington, MA home is where you keep your most valuable possessions. You want to protect your family, pets, or items. If a lock isn't doing its job, it's time to replace it.
The replacement of your lock is more expensive than simply rekeying it, but it offers the added benefit of securing your door to the frame. A deadbolt is difficult to pull or pick and the length of the bolt makes it more difficult for a thief to gain access with a wrench. Ask a locksmith for help in case you're not sure which kind of lock is the best for your door.
Before you install your new lock, you'll need take the old lock out of the door. First, remove the interior screws that secure the handle section to the exterior lock sections. Then, use a screw driver to break the two lock halves away. Then, you can take the old latch and knob from the door.
Install the new door lock properly. The latch should be placed in the opening in the latch plate and have a tapered end that fits in the hole for the turning lock. Make sure to align the holes for screws for the deadbolt and latch on the side of the door with the rods that receive the latch on the outside of the door. This will allow screws to be threaded into place correctly and prevent them from loosening as time passes.
If you're using the same lock you can leave the strike plate and latch plate in place. Compare them with the new lock and if you discover that they're not the right fit you can purchase replacements.
Once you have the new hardware installed It's time to put in the lock. Start by placing the deadbolt into its proper place. While doing this, pay special attention to the "up" mark on the deadbolt. This will aid you in remembering that you're inserting it on the right side of the door. Then, screw the interior and exterior plates together using the long screws that are included with the new lock.