Nowadays, more and more people choose keyless door locks, especially young people. Because the keyless door lock is very convenient to use, the door lock can be unlocked without a mechanical key. They use keyless door locks everywhere, you can see this door lock anywhere. Such as apartment door locks, office door locks, hotel door locks, or rental property door locks. In addition, it is also very simple to install, if you want to install a keyless door lock yourself, this article may help you. All your questions about keyless door lock installation are answered in today’s guide. Read on to learn more.
1. What you need before installation
When installing any piece of furniture, you need some tools, and door locks are no exception. Let’s take a look at what tools you need before installing a keyless door lock.
- Keyless door lock: Of course, having a keyless door lock ready is the most important thing, because it is your protagonist. You need to choose the right keyless door lock based on your door frame type and your needs. Examples include mechanical keyless door locks or electronic keyless door locks. A mechanical keyless lock is simpler to install because it does not require wiring like an electronic keyless lock. It’s up to you which one you choose.
- Screwdriver: After purchasing a door lock, find out what type of screw head the screws that came with the lock are, and then decide which screwdriver to use. Examples include a Phillips screwdriver, a flat-blade screwdriver, or a flower-shaped screwdriver. For a smooth installation, make sure your screwdriver fits the screw head perfectly. If you’re not sure which screwdriver to use, keep one of each type. In addition, too tight or too loose bolts will affect the normal operation of the door lock.
- Hole punch: A hole punch is not a must-have when installing a door lock. You will need it when you need to make some adjustments to the door frame or punch holes in the deadbolt. In order to complete the installation quickly, it is recommended that you prepare a punching machine. It saves you movement and allows you to easily complete the installation.
- Hammer: It is optional when you need to hit something.
- Chisels: Chisels allow more room for the deadbolt and strike plate. The sizes you can choose from are 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″. It is recommended that you choose a chisel with a comfortable grip to avoid injury during installation.
2. Installation steps
The following are the specific steps to install a keyless door lock.
1) Remove the old lock and door handle
Use a screwdriver to turn the bolt, loosen the bolt, and remove the old door lock. Then try to put the keyless door lock into the original door lock hole for comparison, if it doesn’t fit perfectly, please use a chisel to chisel the hole to a suitable position. Next, open the box that came with your new door lock and take out the accessories, including keypad locks, deadbolts, and mounting hardware.
2) Measure the backrest of the door
Find the setback distance from the edge of the door after placing the keyless lock in place of the old door lock. And keep the new deadbolt centered. Typically, the standard clearance is 1.5 inches to 2 inches. If it does not meet the standard clearance, it will not match your door lock.
3) Install the keyless door lock
Install the retaining plate first, insert the deadbolt’s latch into the side of the door, and screw the bolt plate onto the door.
Second, install the deadbolt, put the deadbolt housing into the door, align the keyless keypad in position, and make sure you can run the wires under the deadbolt. Please install the deadbolt strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, so that the deadbolt can be easily extended and retracted.
Third install the internal hardware, install the internal components by connecting the cables to the connectors, threading the wires correctly through the components, and aligning the holes with the external touch screen assembly latches.
Fourth install the internal screws and install the battery.
Finally, install the battery cover.
4) Adjust the keyless door lock
After the preliminary installation is completed, perform a closing test on the door lock to check whether the bolt of the door lock can be retracted smoothly. If the door is jammed or difficult to open, you will need to remove the lock and repeat the above steps to ensure it is done correctly.
5) Program keyless door lock
Then you can program your door lock, please follow the steps in the manual. This is very important as it relates to access codes for locks, user profiles, and other security features.
6) Test the keyless door lock
After programming, test the door lock. You can try locking and unlocking the door to see if it works. You better try it a few times. PLEASE NOTE: Don’t forget to have spare batteries on hand so you don’t have to fumble if the lock dies.
7) Maintain keyless door locks
Finally, this is the most overlooked step. After all the installation steps are completed, please clean the door lock, this is to prevent falling wood chips from hindering the operation of the door lock. In addition, in order to maintain the normal operation and service life of the door lock, please maintain and maintain the door lock regularly.
3. Frequently asked questions about installing keyless door locks
Here are the frequently asked questions people ask when installing keyless door locks.
1) How much does a locksmith cost to install a keyless door lock?
If you don’t want to install it yourself and want to know how much it costs to hire a professional installer, here’s what iLockey has rounded up:
Door lock installation costs vary based on the type of door, smart lock model, and complexity of installation. Below is the average cost to install a keyless door lock, including labor and equipment.
National average cost | $330 |
Typical price range | $200-$460 |
Very low cost | $125 |
Extreme high-end cost | $1,200 |
Of course, the cost of installing a keyless door lock also depends on other factors, including:
- Installers: Installers are divided into ordinary installers and experts. Expert installation must be more expensive than ordinary installers.
- Accessories: For example, some keyless door locks can be equipped with remote controls so that they can be unlocked while lying on the couch. If equipped with a remote control, you need to add additional costs.
- Battery type: Keyless door locks are powered by batteries, so batteries are essential. However, even the same type of battery can be divided into different prices. If you want a more advanced battery that lasts longer, the more you spend.
2) How to ensure a smooth installation process?
- Buy a lock that matches your door so installation is simple and you can avoid drilling or modifying the door.
- Know what accessories are installed so you know where they should go.
- Prepare the installation manual and check it in time when you encounter difficulties.
- You may have misaligned the strike plate or faceplate on your newly installed keyless deadbolt.  If this is the case, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure you’ve removed the old strike plates and faceplates and put in new ones. Most new locks come with a matching striker plate, not only for style but also to ensure that the lock closes smoothly.
- Have fresh batteries ready so you can test the lock after installation.
- Have your access codes ready in advance so you don’t have a good idea in mind when programming your door lock.
4. Conclusion
All in all, the installation of keyless door locks is a simple process. As long as you follow the steps in the instruction manual, the installation can be successfully completed. The above are the keyless door lock installation steps organized by iLockey for you, I hope it can help you.