Fresh installation wood and metal doors
A fresh lock installation refers to the process of cutting the housing for a lock on a brand new wood or metal door. It requires planning, precision, and expertise in order to ensure that your home or office is properly protected.
Here at Reliable Locksmith in Minneapolis, we’ve installed new deadbolts, mortise locks, and smart home locks in a variety of different settings. In this article, we’ll talk about different kinds of fresh lock installations, lock grades, and when to call in a professional locksmith.
Residential lock installation
Wondering what kind of lock to install in your home or guest house? Take a look at these common types of new lock installations for residential settings:
- Rim cylinder lock. Rim cylinder locks are one of the most basic styles of locks for residential settings, and are most appropriate for internal doors, such as master bedrooms and storage closets. They require a housing to be cut in the door as well as in the door frame.
- Deadbolt or door knob. Installing a deadbolt or door knob on your home’s external doors can increase your security significantly! A standard mechanical deadbolt is typically easy to install, requiring your locksmith to cut a housing into the wood or metal door above the knob or lever to hold the deadbolt lock.
- Mortise lock. Mortise locks are a traditional style of lock that you may see on older homes here in Minneapolis. While they may look similar from the outside of the door to a knob and deadbolt combo, they utilize a unique design that takes up a larger area within the door. As such, they may not be appropriate for all doors, as they require sufficient width and strength to house the lock.
- Smart home system. Smart locks are incredibly popular these days. And while the installation of the hardware may be similar to a mechanical lock or deadbolt, your locksmith will also be tasked with installing and testing the software.
Commercial lock installation
The world of commercial fresh lock installation is broader than the residential side simply because there are so many different kinds of security systems for businesses! Here are a few typical lock installations that we see regularly in Minneapolis:
- Electric strike installation. Electric strikes are a type of device that allows for the lock to be engaged and disengaged with a buzzer, alarm system, access card, passcodes or central control system. Not only do they require a housing for the hardware to be installed but they will also require electrical wiring to power the device.
- High security locks. If your commercial space gets a lot of traffic or has high security needs, you’ll need high grade locks that are built to last, such as commercial-grade mortise locks or deadbolts. Typically, high security locks are best-suited for strong metal doors.
- Fire rated or panic hardware installation. Fresh lock installations on fire doors or exit doors for commercial spaces will need to comply with local building codes. Installation for these special kinds of doors will require the lock or crash bar to be precisely mounted onto the door in order to align with accessibility laws and emergency protocol.
Lock grades
When searching for locks to install on your metal or wood door, you’ll have your choice between Grade 1, 2 and 3 locks. This grading system refers to the longevity and durability of the lock.
Grade 1 locks offer the highest level of security and are typically only installed on high strength doors such as metal doors. Grade 2 locks are appropriate for many residential and commercial settings and can be installed on both wood and metal doors. Finally, Grade 3 offers the lowest level of security and durability, but can still be suitable for many residential security needs.
Fresh lock installation step-by-step
Wondering what a fresh lock installation looks like from start to finish? Here’s the rundown for installing a new lock on a wood or metal door:
Step one: Measure and mark the door and frame
In a commercial setting, this will mean referring to local building codes to ensure that door handles are installed at the appropriate height for accessibility laws.
Step two: Carve out the housing
Fresh installations require you to create the holes in the door where the lock will be housed, and where the latch or deadbolt will extend, as well as in the door frame where the strike plate will be mounted. This can be done with a hole saw drill bit and chisel.
Step three: Install the lock housing and strike plate
Now the lock hardware can be placed in the newly cut holes in the door. The strike plate can also be secured to the shallow housing in the door frame.
Step four (for electrified locks): Connect the lock to power
For electric strikes, this will be the time to wire the lock to the power source and hide the wiring within the door frame.
Step five: Test and troubleshoot
Before packing up the tools, it’s important to test the lock to make sure everything turns smoothly and closes securely. Anything that wiggles or is misaligned needs to be addressed.
Smart locks will also need to be programmed and tested to ensure proper installation!
Can you install a new lock by yourself?
If you have the tools and know-how to do most home improvement projects, you can probably install a basic lock yourself. Installing locks on fresh doors requires careful measuring to ensure that the housing perfectly aligns with the strike plate. But, if you’re confident with your drilling skills, this can be a DIY project.
That being said, for commercial projects, electric strikes, panic hardware, or anyone who simply would rather leave their security in the hands of a professional, we would definitely recommend calling in a trusted locksmith. Our team here at Reliable Locksmith in Minneapolis can oversee fresh lock installation for all kinds of security needs.
Our Services
We provide a comprehensive range of locksmith services in Minneapolis. Serving Hennepin County, we can help you combat broken locks, install new locks, access homes and business premises when you’re locked out, and even provide replacement car keys on the spot.
We care for every one of our clients, and we’ll always do what we can to put you at ease. We’re a friendly team and enjoy our work – nothing makes us happier than solving your problems.
Plus, we provide cost-effective quality solutions. Our low prices will certainly be a pleasant surprise.