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One of the most important things to do when you move into your new house is change the locks - especially if your door knobs are like Brigitte’s and have a tendency to fall off as soon as you touch them. If that's the case, it might be wise to replace the knobs as well as the locks.
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DO bring your existing locks and knobs with you when you visit a locksmith. There are lots of styles available and you’ll be able to figure out what will work for you and which lock and knob combinations are safest.
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DO minimize the number of keys you have to lug around on your keychain. Consider having your front and back door locks set to the same key.
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Replacing doorknobs and locks with new knobs and deadbolts
- Unscrew all parts of the lock and knob.
- If the new striker and face plate are bigger than the old one, you’ll have to chisel around it so it will fit flush in the door frame.
- Put your new face plate over the old one.
- Trace around it with a pencil so you will know where to chisel.
- Using your chisel and hammer, chip out the area you just traced. The face place should fit snugly.
- Screw in the striker and face plate to the side of the door.
- Test the knob and face plates on both sides of the door to be sure they fit properly.
- More testing! Try turning the knobs of both sides of the door to make sure you have the spring action on the striker. You may need to adjust the small screw on the underside of the knob to tighten it to the post, but only after you have given your door sufficient spring action. Boooiiiing!
- Once the knobs and face plate fit the way you like them, attach them to the door by screwing them into place.
- Your deadbolt should come with a template to tell you where to drill in the door. Mark these spots for the lock and bolt with a small drill bit or screw.
- Using your power drill with a hole saw attachment, drill a hole through the door for the lock. Switch to a spade bit to drill the hole for the bolt.
- Insert the bolt and face plate into the hole you made for it. The face plate should be flush with the door. If it isn’t, you’ll need to mark around it with a pencil and chisel out a space for it – about ¾ of an inch deep. If you already used the chisel for your doorknob, you should be a pro at it! Once the bolt and face plate fit, screw them into place.
- Starting with the exterior side of the door, test the cylinder and thumb plate for fit. Once they are snugly in place, fasten them with screws.
- Make sure your key works! Try it out, just to be on the safe side. Then, screw in the face plate for the bolt.
- To figure out where you need to drill for the striker plate, mark the bolt with lipstick. (Don't use too much, no one likes a trampy deadbolt!)
- Close the door, making sure it is tight against the frame. Turn the bolt several times to allow the lipstick to leaves its mark on the door frame.
- Using the lipstick marks as your guide, place the striker plate on the door frame. Keep it to the outside of the lipstick marks.
- Mark the edges of the plate so you know where to chisel. (By now, this should need NO explanation!) Before you chisel away, use a spade bit to drill a hole about 1 inch deep in the door frame for the bolt. (The tip of your finger is about one inch long, so that can be your measure!) Once you’ve done that, chisel away!
- Screw the striker plate in place with really long screws - long enough to go into the studs behind the door frame. This will make your lock very secure.
- Screw in the “decorative” striker plate and your project is completed!
- Give keys to everyone who lives in your house. Unless….you don’t want them to come in… but that’s your business!
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