Mount the template on the door according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A double-cylinder deadbolt requires a key to lock or unlock the door from either side.īefore you start drilling holes, check the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you have all of the lock’s required parts (including the keys!), and pull out the template that was included with the package. In a single cylinder deadbolt, a key is required to unlock the door from the outside from the inside, the lock operates with a thumb turn. When the correct key is inserted, it aligns a series of pins, allowing the cylinder to rotate. The cylinder is the locking mechanism of a deadbolt.The thumb turn is the small oval or crescent-shaped knob on the interior side of a single cylinder deadbolt that locks or unlocks the door.The bolt is the piece of metal that extends from the lock body into the strike plate in the door jamb, preventing it from being opened.The lock body is the metal casing that holds all of the locking components together.Vertical deadbolts are better able to resist prying forces than standard deadbolts, but because they mount on the surface of the door, they are bulkier. In a vertical deadbolt, the mechanism is mounted on the interior surface of the door, and the locking bolts operate vertically instead of horizontally. Vertical: This style of deadbolt is less common than the single- or double-cylinder deadbolt, but it operates in a similar manner.Because this type of deadbolt requires a key to unlock it from the inside, it can be dangerous in the event of a fire or other emergency when residents need to exit the home quickly. That said, only install a double cylinder deadbolt lock when necessary. This type of deadbolt is ideal for locks that are in close proximity to a window, as is the case with a front door that’s flanked by sidelights. Double: A double-cylinder deadbolt requires a key to lock or unlock it from either side.From the inside, the door can be locked and unlocked with a thumb turn.
Single: The simplest type of deadbolt lock has a single cylinder that is operated from the outside of the house using a key.There are three types of deadbolt locks you can install on your home’s exterior doors: RELATED: 7 Things to Know Before Replacing Door Locks Types of Deadbolts Even if your insurance company doesn’t give you a break, the fact that you have a deadbolt should decrease the likelihood that your home will experience a break-in, thus reducing the odds that you’ll have to file an insurance claim that could increase your premium. Some homeowners insurance companies provide discounts for homes with deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. Prying open a door with a deadbolt latch is also harder because a deadbolt extends a full inch into the door jamb as opposed to the half inch of a spring lock. Deadbolts, on the other hand, use a locking device that is impossible to force back into the door. Even the highest quality spring bolt door lock can be easily defeated by the average burglar. There’s a reason most exterior doors have a deadbolt lock. Measure carefully and be sure you’re using the proper size hole saw before you start drilling. If you measure incorrectly, you could end up drilling a hole in the wrong spot, ruining the door in the process. Adding a deadbolt to a door involves measuring and drilling holes to fit the deadbolt lock. Although installing a deadbolt lock is a job most DIYers can handle, there is risk of damage to the door if you’re not careful.