The deadbolt on my front door was older than my car and the key stuck halfway. I watched one video, bought a $25 deadbolt, and had the new one working in under an hour. If I can do it with a single screwdriver, so can you.

Installing a keyed deadbolt is one of the easiest security upgrades you can make.

What You Need

A new deadbolt kit, a Phillips screwdriver, and a tape measure. Most deadbolts come with two keys and all the screws you need. If you are replacing an existing deadbolt, you usually reuse the same hole.

If your door has no deadbolt hole at all, you will need a drill and a door lock installation kit. That adds about 30 minutes.

Remove the Old Lock

Open the door and remove the two screws on the interior side of the deadbolt. Pull the interior and exterior halves apart and slide the latch bolt out of the door edge.

Keep the old screws somewhere safe in case you need them. I have a jar of door screws that has rescued me more than once.

Check the Fit

The new latch needs to fit the existing hole in the door edge. Hold it up and check that the bolt lines up with the strike plate hole in the door frame.

If the new latch plate is a different size, most kits include a cover plate for the old screw holes. A little filing with a metal file fixes minor mismatches.

Install the New Deadbolt

Slide the latch into the door edge with the bolt facing the frame, and screw it in place. Then slide the exterior half through the door, align the tail piece, and screw the interior half on.

Test the key before you tighten everything. If the key turns smoothly and the bolt throws, tighten all the screws.

Adjust the Strike Plate

If the bolt does not slide fully into the strike plate, the door is misaligned. Loosen the strike plate screws and move it slightly, then retighten.

A file can also open up the strike hole a tiny bit if the bolt rubs. My door sagged slightly and the strike needed to drop by an eighth of an inch. Five minutes with the strike plate screws fixed it.

Test It From Both Sides

Lock and unlock from inside and outside several times. The bolt should slide smoothly and the key should turn without resistance.

Install a second deadbolt on the back door while you are in the mood. Mine took 40 minutes the second time.