Deadbolt Installation

Why Does Every Exterior Door Need a Deadbolt?

A knob lock alone is not enough. Spring-loaded knob locks (the kind where you push a button or turn a thumb turn on the inside) can be bypassed with a credit card, a flat knife, or even a stiff piece of plastic in about 5 seconds. The spring latch is tapered. Slide something between the door and frame, push the latch back, and the door opens. It's that simple.

A deadbolt is different. The bolt is solid metal, flat-ended, and extends a full inch into the door frame. It doesn't spring back. The only way to retract it is with the key (or the interior thumb turn). There's no shortcut, no credit card trick, no bypass tool that works on a properly installed deadbolt.

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, 56% of residential burglaries involve forced entry through a door. A properly installed Grade 1 deadbolt with 3-inch strike plate screws is the single most effective deterrent. It won't stop a determined attacker with a battering ram. But it will stop the opportunistic burglar who tests doors looking for easy targets. And that's 90%+ of residential break-ins.

What's the Difference Between Grade 1, 2, and 3 Deadbolts?

Grade 1 is the strongest. Grade 3 is the weakest. The ANSI/BHMA grading system tests how much force a lock can withstand and how many open-close cycles it survives. Here's the comparison:

• Grade 1 (best): Survives 250,000+ cycles. Resists 10 strikes of 75 lbs of force. Bolt withstands 300 lbs of end pressure. Used on commercial and high-security residential doors. Schlage B60N, Medeco Maxum.
• Grade 2 (good): Survives 150,000+ cycles. Resists 5 strikes of 75 lbs. Suitable for most residential exterior doors. Kwikset 980, Schlage B60.
• Grade 3 (basic): Survives 100,000 cycles. Resists 2 strikes of 75 lbs. Builder-grade hardware found on new construction. Defiant, Brinks, and most hardware store budget brands.

Most homes in South Florida are built with Grade 3 deadbolts. We install Grade 1 and Grade 2 exclusively. The price difference between Grade 3 and Grade 1 hardware is $20-$40. The difference in durability is 2.5x. The difference in security is even bigger. For the cost of two coffees, you get a lock that's dramatically harder to defeat.

How Much Does Deadbolt Installation Cost in South Florida?

$85-$250 depending on the brand, grade, and whether drilling is needed. Here's our pricing breakdown:

• Kwikset 980 (Grade 2) installed: $85-$120
• Schlage B60N (Grade 1) installed: $120-$160 (our #1 recommendation)
• Schlage B60N + matching lever handle set: $180-$220
• Medeco Maxum (high-security, Grade 1) installed: $250-$350
• Add drilling on a new door (no existing hole): +$25-$50

All prices include the deadbolt hardware, installation, and 3-inch strike plate screws. We carry these in the van. No need to pre-buy anything or wait for a supply run.

How Does Triton Locksmith Install a Deadbolt?

Replacing an existing deadbolt takes 30 minutes. Adding one to a door without a hole takes 45 minutes. Here's the process for each:

Replacing an existing deadbolt: We remove the old hardware (interior thumb turn, exterior cylinder, bolt assembly, strike plate). Check the bore holes for damage. Install the new deadbolt body and bolt. Mount the cylinder and thumb turn. Install the strike plate with 3-inch screws. Test key operation from both sides. Done.

Installing a new deadbolt (no existing hole): We measure and mark the correct placement (standard is 6 inches above the knob centerline). Use a drilling jig for perfect alignment. Drill the 2-1/8 inch face bore and 1 inch edge bore. Chisel the mortise for the bolt faceplate. Install the deadbolt. Drill and chisel the strike plate pocket in the frame. Install with 3-inch screws. Test everything.

We drill through wood, metal, and fiberglass doors. Each material requires different drill bits and speeds. Wood is the easiest. Metal doors need bi-metal hole saws and slower speeds to avoid overheating. Fiberglass doors need carbide bits and careful pressure to prevent cracking. We do all three regularly.

What's a Single-Cylinder vs Double-Cylinder Deadbolt?

Single-cylinder has a key outside and a thumb turn inside. Double-cylinder requires a key from both sides. Most residential deadbolts are single-cylinder. You unlock from outside with a key and from inside by turning the thumb turn.

Double-cylinder deadbolts require a key from both sides. They're used on doors with glass panels or sidelights where someone could break the glass, reach through, and turn a thumb turn. With a double-cylinder, reaching through the glass doesn't help because you still need the key. Florida building code requires double-cylinder deadbolts to have a key left in the interior side during occupancy for fire egress. We explain all of this during installation.

Why Do 3-Inch Strike Plate Screws Matter So Much?

Because they're the difference between a door that holds and a door that doesn't. Every deadbolt comes with 3/4-inch screws in the box. Those screws only grip the thin door frame trim. One solid kick snaps them. The bolt is still locked but the frame gives way and the door opens.

Our 3-inch screws go through the trim, through the frame, and 2 inches into the wall stud. That anchors the strike plate to the structural framing of the house. According to testing by NIST, this simple upgrade increases forced entry resistance by 3-5x. We install 3-inch screws on every deadbolt. It costs us $2 and takes 2 minutes. There's zero reason not to do it.

Which Deadbolt Does Triton Locksmith Recommend?

Schlage B60N for most homes. Medeco Maxum for maximum security. The Schlage B60N is ANSI Grade 1, bump-resistant, available in 8 finishes, and costs $40-$60 for the hardware. It handles everything South Florida throws at it. For satin nickel finish, it resists salt air corrosion well (important for coastal properties in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and the barrier islands).

If you need key control (preventing unauthorized copies) or pick-proof security, step up to Medeco or Mul-T-Lock. More expensive but virtually undefeatable by conventional attack methods.

Where Does Triton Locksmith Install Deadbolts?

Any home in Broward or Palm Beach County. We install deadbolts in Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and 43 other cities. 20-minute average response. We carry all the hardware in the van. Call (561) 524-8500.

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