Exterior-door-handle-instal

Description

Level of Difficulty: Beginner Do-It-Yourselfer – Easy
Completion Time: 1 Hour
By installing a new handle or lockset on your exterior door, you can both spruce up the overall appearance of your entrance and enhance your home’s security. This is a job for everyone, though it requires a few tools, some basic knowledge, and a certain amount of time. This guide provides you with detailed steps to successfully installing a door handle and deadbolt lock system, the kind of lock that is a major deterrent to burglars. Although door handles come in a variety of sizes and models for all tastes and budgets, the installation process remains essentially the same.

TOOLS

  • Wood chisels
  • Cylindrical drill bit
  • Bit


  • Hammer
  • Drill
  • Screwdriver

MATERIALS

  • Handle and lock
  • Screws
  • Sand paper

BEFORE ASSEMBLY

MEASUREMENTS

If you are renewing the handle and lock in your door, the holes already exist. You will need to carefully note certain measurements in order to buy an appropriate replacement.
Measure the thickness of your door.
Measure the distance between the centers of the holes for the handle and lock.
Measure the diameters of the holes.
Measure between the hole for the handle where the spindle is inserted and the screw hole on the bottom of the handle. If the lengths differ (the length is shorter for the new handle), the holes will be visible, require filling and may still be apparent.
If you are replacing the door, choose your handle and lock at the same time. When you place your order, the manufacturer will drill the necessary holes in the appropriate places.
If you are buying a new door and the holes are not pre-drilled, a drilling template will be provided by the lock manufacturer to ensure holes are drilled correctly.

INSTALLATION

Before you start, compare the dimensions of the holes on the lock and handle with the installation template guide included with the lockset. The drilling template will be a sheet of paper indicating drilling locations for the installation of your deadbolt lock.
Use a cylindrical drill bit (a bit with a set of teeth at one end) to drill the required holes.
Use the image below to clearly identify all the parts of your lockset.

STEPS
  •   STEP 1: DRILL OR ENLARGE HOLES
  • STEP 2: DRILL THE HOLE FOR THE BOLT
  • STEP 3: CHISEL A RECESS FOR THE FACEPLATE
  • STEP 4: INSTALL THE DEADBOLT LOCK
  • STEP 5: INSTALL THE HANDLE
  • STEP 6: CHISEL A RECESS FOR THE STRIKE AND DRILL THE MORTISE
  • STEP 7: INSTALL THE STRIKES

1.1. Place the lock template on the door.

1.2. Attach the template with masking tape.

1.3. Insert a cylindrical drill bit into your drill.
Verify the size of the cylindrical drill bit on the template.

1.4. Drill or enlarge holes where indicated on the template.
Hold the drill level to ensure you drill square through. To avoid creating splinters and damaging the door, drill from one side just until the cylindrical drill bit shows through, and then do the same on the other side. Clean the contour edges of the hole with sand paper.

2.1. Install a spade drill bit on your drill. Refer to the template for the diameter of plug to use.

2.2. Place the drill bit on the door jamb (side of the door) and drill the hole for the latch.
Keep the drill square and level.

2.3. Drill through to the lock hole.
Repeat these steps for the holes for the door handle, if necessary.

2.4. Clean the contour edges with sand paper.

The faceplate is a rectangular metal sheet that surrounds the deadbolt and latch bolt and is mounted onto the door frame. The jamb must be chisel cut to allow the faceplate to sit flush inside the edge of the door, so the door closes properly.

3.1. Insert the bolt into the lateral hole.

3.2. Use a pencil to draw a line around the contour of the faceplate on the jamb.
Withdraw the bolt.

3.3. With a chisel, mark each side with a single cut on the line you have just drawn.

3.4. Score parallel cut lines ¼” apart within the configuration.

3.5. Hold the chisel at an approximately 45° angle, the angled edge pressed into the wood surface, and remove the wood material using the pressure of your hand.

3.6. Repeat for the other bolt, if necessary.

4.1. Insert the deadbolt into the lateral hole.

4.2. Insert part of the lock cylinder containing the outer hole.

4.3. Insert the mounting screws through the mechanism of the bolt and screw the two parts.

5.1. Slide the latch bolt into the lateral hole.

5.2. Place the exterior handle opposite the opening on the exterior of the door.

5.3. From the inside, add the mounting plate and the handle by inserting the spindle assembly into the latch mechanism.

5.4. Insert the mounting screws. These should also be inserted in the latch mechanism.

The strike is the rectangular metal plate, whereas the mortise is simply the hole holding the bolt, thus allowing the door to be locked.

6.1. Coat the latch bolt with powdered chalk or simply rub with graphite.

6.2. Close the door and note the point where the bolt meets the door jamb on the frame. This will determine where the mortise strike of the latch bolt should be.

6.3. With a pencil, draw the contour of the mortise strike on the door jamb. Remove the strike.

6.4. With a chisel, mark each side with a single cut on the line you have just drawn.

6.5. Score parallel cut lines ¼” apart within the configuration.

6.6. Drill a hole with a flat drill bit of the same diameter as your bolt.

6.7. Hold the chisel at an approximately 45° angle, the angled edge pressed into the wood surface, and remove the wood material using the pressure of your hand..

6.8. Repeat for the other bolt, if necessary.

7.1. Attach the strikes intended for the deadbolt lock and handle with sufficiently long wood screws.