How to Change a Door Lock in 5 Steps

Most new doors are predrilled to fit locks. If you’re replacing a lock, there will be an existing hole that you should measure to make sure your new lock will fit. Otherwise you’ll need to drill new holes in your door.

Door locks aren’t one-size-fits-all, so you’ll want to use your measurements to find a similarly sized replacement. Typically you can shop for the same brand and the sizing will likely be the same. Or you can take a look at our favorite door locks for new options.

Once you’ve chosen a new lock, installation is straightforward. First, slide the bolt into place from the outside edge of the door. When it’s centered, fasten the mounting plate down with the provided screws.

Using the two long screws that comes with the lock, connect the exterior plate to the interior base plate. Before you tighten it, make sure the lock cylinder connects properly to the deadbolt. Then use a Phillips or flat head screwdriver to tighten the lock into place.

If your lock comes with a decorative base plate, attach it after the lock is in place and everything is working smoothly.

Deadbolts are the traditional high-security locks. Door knob locks are fairly secure, but when you add a single or double-cylinder deadbolt above your door knob, you add an extra layer of security that makes the door far more difficult to breach. External doors are often predrilled for deadbolts, making the installation process simpler.

Does keyless entry sound appealing? Or the ability to lock and unlock your doors remotely from an app? Smart door locks can simplify the daily comings and goings to and from your home, including the need to remember your keys. If smart locks sound appealing to you, we have some favorites that stand out against the rest.