How To Install Door Lock Plate

If you are simply replacing a door lock check out our article how to replace a door lock learn to.

How to install door lock plate.

A mortise or recess must be made in the door jamb to accept the strike plate. Two screws are installed inside the strike box to add strength. Install the strike plate photo by david carmack. In this article we teach you how to prepare a door for a fresh installation of a new door lock that is how to drill the door.

See photo 6 mark the center of the old deadbolt strike. We opted for a more secure strike box plate that features four screws instead of two. Drill pilot holes for the strike plate s two screws with a 3 32 inch bit then screw the plate in place. If it s not remove the strike plate and chisel out more wood until it s deep enough.

Tape measure pencil flat drill bit for wo. So take the time to mark and cut carefully. The measurement is usually 2 3 8 inches for interior doors and 2 3 4 inches for exterior doors. The mortise needs to be as deep as the strike plate is thick.

Next a hole must be drilled in the jamb to accept the door lock bolt. Install the strike plate and test that the deadbolt is working properly and that the hole in the door jamb is deep enough to accept the entire bolt. Install a heavy duty door strike plate lock to strengthen the doorjamb. Using the technique described in steps 6 and 7 chisel out a mortise as deep as the strike plate is thick.

Tools needed for this job. We didn t use the strike plate lock that came with the deadbolt. Whether you re installing a lock plate also called a strike plate for a deadbolt lock or a standard lockset you first must install the lock or lockset onto the door following the manufacturer s instructions. The tolerance on doors and locks often is very small.

Hold the strike plate over the mortise and score its outline with a utility knife. If you install your strike plate and find that it is too far from the latch try adding wooden shims behind the plate to bring it closer to the lock. Installing a door lock can be rather complex but with the right guidance any homeowner can install a door lock. This video is about how to fit a door latch and door handle in an interior door.