Installing a Door Lockset

Whether for external or internal doors, installing any lockset tends to follow a similar process. The ideal outcome is a latch or lock which is tidily fitted, with minimum damage to the other areas of the door and frame, is secure, works well and can be easily operated.

Some Early Considerations

New or replacement. If you are for example drilling into a new door you will need to allow more time than for replacing an old lockset and you are likely to need more tools or equipment for example a router, chisel and perhaps a template for fitting or installing the lockset.

If it is a new door make sure you fit the lockset at a practical and comfortable height from the floor and at a height that keeps the door secure.

Tools Needed

You will need a drill with a hole saw bit of the right size for the lock cylinder. You'll also need drill bits of the right size to drill pilot screw holes. You may also need a router to help cut the mortice area into door to allow the faceplate of the bolt or latch part of the lockset to fit flush against the edge of the door. A good, sharp chisel will be needed to help cut the mortice area tidily. You will also need a pencil for marking out, and a square and ruler.

The Backset Size

This is a vitally important thing to know to buy and fit the right lockset. Essentially the backset is the distance from the door edge to the centre of the lock cylinder where a handle spindle passes through a door.

Fitting the Lockset

Mark out the back set distance for the door edge with the pencil and ruler or square. Draw a line round the door edge and check that it is square too so that the bolt or latch will line up in the right spot.

You will also need to mark out the proposed mortice areas and a template may be provided with the lockset for this. Mark out the position on the door frame too for the strike plate.

Use the appropriate size saw hole bit to drill out the hole for the cylinder in the door. You may want to clamp a piece of ply to the other side of the door while you're drilling in order to stop the edge splintering. Drilling from both rather than just one side can also protect from splintering.

Put tape around the drill bit to the required depth for the bolt and drill straight into the edge of the door up to the tape line.

Use a router and chisel to cut out the mortice area and drill pilot screw holes.

Fit the barrel and bolt into the holes as per the lock instructions and screw into the door.

On the door frame use the appropriate sized hole saw but for the jamb in the strike plate and use a router, chisel and drill bits to cut out the mortice area for the strike plate and for the pilot screw holes. Screw everything in and test the lockset.