Deadbolt Installation in Frazer, PA

A door to your garage or basement may have only a locking knob, leaving no separate deadbolt to secure it.

In Frazer, we install that added lock on entry doors. Its bolt needs enough room to extend fully into the frame, rather than stopping short against the opening. We position the strike so the bolt moves cleanly when you lock up. If the opening does not allow a full throw, we explain what is getting in the way before proceeding.

A single cylinder model takes a key outside and turns by hand from inside. With a double cylinder, you need a key to lock or unlock it from either side. Near glass, that keyed interior makes it harder for someone who reaches through broken glass to operate the lock, but it also means you need a key to get out. For your Frazer home, we can check whether the new lock is compatible with your existing keys and set it up to match when the hardware allows.

We start by looking at the door, its frame and any glass beside the entry.

The door's thickness and the space around the existing knob affect where the new hardware can fit. We explain the available choices and their tradeoffs before making any openings. A single cylinder is keyed on the outside and has a thumbturn on the inside. If nearby glass is damaged, someone may be able to reach that thumbturn through the opening.

A double cylinder needs a key on both sides, which removes the exposed thumbturn but also means you need the key to get out. We explain whether the new hardware can be keyed to match your other locks, since that requires compatible parts. During installation, we set the strike to line up with the bolt. Together, we try the key and inside control against the closed door and confirm that the bolt reaches full extension into the frame without forcing it. We also test the hardware with the door open to distinguish its movement from any alignment issue.

With your new deadbolt in place, the knob lock is no longer your only way to secure the front door.

Check that the bolt reaches its full travel with the door closed, just as it does when open. If it stops short, feels stiff or requires you to pull or lift the door, avoid forcing it. Those signs can point to a mismatch between the bolt and the opening in the frame.

Keep your keys clean, and use a lubricant recommended by the lock manufacturer if turning becomes rough. Use only a small amount, and do not put household oil into the keyway. Try your copies from both sides if you have a double cylinder model. If a key sticks despite cleaning, or the cylinder feels loose, call us to inspect it rather than forcing the mechanism.