Residential Locksmith
Deadbolt Installation in Southeastern PA and Northern Delaware
Deadbolts installed with the strike set so the bolt throws cleanly, across Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and northern New Castle County, DE.
- 3 years in business
- Open 6 days a week
- Cars, homes and businesses
What deadbolt installation covers
A door with only a knob lock has one locking point. Installing a deadbolt adds a separate lock that secures the door to the frame, rather than relying on the latch in the knob.
We install single and double cylinder models on exterior entries. The single version uses a key outside and a thumb turn inside, so you can unlock it from indoors without searching for anything. Near glass, the thumb turn may be within reach through a broken pane. The double version requires a key on both sides, limiting access through broken glass but also requiring it to get out.
The bolt needs room to extend fully into the frame. We position the strike so the bolt lines up with its opening instead of catching against the metal or stopping short. The door should close and the lock should turn without you having to force it. Thickness and available space also matter, since not every model fits every entry. We also look at whether the new lock can be keyed to match your other locks. Matching is possible only if the lock designs are compatible. Otherwise, the new lock will need its own key.
Signs you need deadbolt installation
If your entry door has only a locking knob and no separate deadbolt anywhere on it, the knob is doing all the locking.
A keyhole in the handle alone does not mean there is a second lock. Look along the edge for a bolt that moves independently of the latch. If there is none, that entrance may be a candidate for installation. Glass close to the lock is another detail to note. A single cylinder has an interior thumb turn that could be reached through broken glass, while a double cylinder requires a key on both sides.
An existing deadbolt that stops short of full extension may also need attention. With the door open, turn the lock gently and see whether it extends fully. If it does so open but stops short when closed, the strike or its opening in the frame may be out of alignment. Scrapes around that opening, or a need to push or pull the door to lock it, are other clues. A misaligned lock may need adjustment rather than replacement, while a damaged or missing one may call for a new installation.
How the work goes
When you call, tell us what is on the entry door now and whether you want the new deadbolt to match your other locks.
We look at the door's thickness and the space available before settling on a placement. You can choose a single cylinder, which uses a key outside and a thumbturn inside, or a double cylinder, which requires a key on both sides. Near glass, the second option limits access through a broken pane, but it also means you need a key to get out. Consider who uses the entrance and whether everyone can operate it safely.
We mark and prepare the opening, fit the new hardware, and set the strike in the frame so the bolt has room to extend fully. We check its travel with the door open and closed, then make any needed adjustments to its alignment. If you want the new lock to match your other locks, we check whether the hardware uses a compatible keyway before setting it to match. We also show you how to operate it from each side and check that you are comfortable using it.
- You callWhich door and which lock.
- A few questionsWhat happens when you use it.
- The plan, firstRepair, rekey or replace.
- Tested with youKey, latch and bolt.
Deadbolt Installation by town
We are based in West Chester and install deadbolts in select towns in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, as well as select towns in northern New Castle County, Delaware.
Service is not available in every location within those counties. You can give us the street address of the entry door you want fitted so we can check whether it falls within our service area. A mailing address and the municipality where a property sits do not always have the same name, so the full address gives us a clearer way to identify the location.
Chester County
EasttownDowningtownWillistownEast WhitelandEast MarlboroughNew GardenWesttownTredyffrinFrazerKennett TownshipPhoenixvilleEast CalnWest ChesterEast GoshenPaoliWest GoshenLionvilleChesterbrookCaln TownshipMalvernWest BradfordUwchlanEast BrandywineUpper UwchlanKennett SquareCoatesvilleExtonEast Bradford
Delaware County
FolsomRidley TownshipYeadonDrexel HillDarbyUpper Providence, Delaware CountySwarthmoreRadnorRidley ParkNewtown SquareWoodlynUpper DarbyLansdowneConcordBroomallWayneSpringfield, Delaware CountyHavertownAstonChesterVillanovaNether ProvidenceBethelMiddletown, Delaware CountyBrookhavenThornbury, Delaware CountyCollingdaleMediaUpper Chichester
Montgomery County
CheltenhamWest NorritonLower ProvidenceLimerickConshohockenAudubonUpper DublinLower MerionLansdaleKing of PrussiaUpper Providence, Montgomery CountyNorristownArdmoreWhitemarshPottstownAbingtonWhitpainPlymouth Township
New Castle County, DE
Berks County
Lancaster County
Bucks County
Not on the list? Call (484) 488-7719 and ask.
Deadbolt Installation questions
My entry has only a locking knob, what does adding a deadbolt change for me?
A separate deadbolt gives you another way to secure the entrance instead of relying on the knob alone. You choose when to engage it, so it is worth making that part of your routine when you leave or secure the entrance from inside. The existing hardware can stay in place if it works as you need it to.
There is glass beside my front door, should I choose a single or double cylinder?
We recommend weighing access and security before choosing. A single uses a key outside and a thumbturn inside. A double requires a key on both sides, which limits someone reaching through broken glass to operate the inside control. The tradeoff is that you need a key to get out, so consider how everyone would leave in an emergency.
How do you make sure the bolt extends fully into the frame when the door is closed?
We position the strike so the bolt lines up with its opening and has enough room to reach its full extension. The hole behind it also needs enough depth, or the mechanism may stop short even when the turn feels complete. We check its movement with the entrance closed, not just while it is open.
I want the new lock to match my other keys, is that always possible?
We check whether the new hardware and your existing locks use a compatible keyway. If they do, we may be able to set the new one to work with what you already carry. If they do not, keeping a separate key or replacing hardware with compatible models are choices to consider. The condition of the existing hardware also matters.
My entry is metal, what should I know before choosing hardware for it?
We check the material, thickness and available space before selecting a model. Some products fit a range of thicknesses, while others need a different size or configuration. Existing openings matter too, since their position and diameter affect what can be installed. If the surface has decorative panels, their shape may limit where the new hardware sits.
More residential locksmith services
Lock Replacement
New knob locks, levers, deadbolts and handle sets for your doors.
Lock Repair
Locks that stick, drag, spin or fail to latch, repaired on site.
Smart Lock Installation
Keypad and app locks installed, fitted and set up with you.
Lock Rekeying
Your locks rekeyed so old keys stop working and new keys open them.
Door Lock Repair
The lock on your house door put back in working order.
Mailbox Lock Replacement
New mailbox locks and keys for houses and cluster boxes.
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Questions about your lock?
We take calls Sunday to Thursday from 7 AM to 10 PM and Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM.
Call (484) 488-7719