Can I install my own door locks?
Andrew Rivera
Updated on March 25, 2026
Can I install my own door locks?
Replacing door locks is a relatively simple DIY project. If you know your way around a basic screwdriver, you should be able to tackle it in under an hour. Full installation instructions come with the new locks and customer support hotlines are often available to answer any questions.
What are the parts of a door lock?
Parts of a door lock
- Trim: Sometimes called a rose, the trim is a decorative plate attached to the door under the knob or lever.
- Deadbolt:
- Escutcheon:
- Faceplate.
- Backplate:
- Latch bolt:
- Spindle:
- Strike plate:
Do you change the locks when you buy a house?
When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
What is the difference between a deadbolt and a deadlock?
Well, deadlocks and deadbolts are the same in that they both need a key to lock. However, while a deadlock can only be unlocked in deadlock mode with a key, deadbolts can be locked and unlocked with a key and have a metal lock that extends from the door into the wall.
What size hole do I drill for door latch?
The standard sized bore hole is 2 1/8″ in diameter. Through the edge of the door there is a 1″ cross bore that extends from the edge of the door through the bore hole. This cross bore is where the latch is installed. In addition to the two cross bores, a door can be prepped for one of 3 different types of latches.
What is the portion of the door lock located in the door jamb called?
The cylinder, or lock body, is the part of the door lock where you insert the key. When it’s locked, the cylinder engages a series of spring-loaded pins which keep the cylinder from turning. When you insert a key, the uneven edge pushes the pins upward to fit the key’s height in that location within the lock body.
What is the inner part of a lock called?
The lock body, or lock cylinder, is the core of a door lock. The lock body turns to engage or disengage the lock’s bolt or latch when the appropriate key is used. In a mechanical lock, the lock body uses a series of spring-loaded pins to allow or stop the turning.
