Installing a Deadbolt on a Steel Door: Fit and Safety
Learn what matters when replacing or installing a deadbolt on a steel door, including factory lock prep, compatible hardware, strike alignment and fire ratings.
Learn what matters when replacing or installing a deadbolt on a steel door, including factory lock prep, compatible hardware, strike alignment and fire ratings.
Drilling a metal door for a new deadbolt is not simply the wooden-door installation process with a stronger drill bit. The door may contain internal reinforcement, fire-rated components or a manufacturer-specific lock preparation.
A door without an existing deadbolt opening may be suitable for an upgrade, but the first step is identifying the door construction, not buying a hole saw.
Replacing a deadbolt in a door already bored for one is usually more straightforward than cutting a new opening. Even so, a poorly aligned strike can make a brand-new lock feel defective.
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