Why do Commerce homeowners need a deadbolt installed or replaced?
Commerce is a small city with a distinctive layout. Most of the roughly 12,000 residents live in a few compact pockets of modest 1940s and 1950s single-family homes, around Rosewood Park, Bandini and Bristow Park, with industrial districts wrapped around them. Houses of that age often still carry hardware from decades ago: a spring-latch knob lock that a plastic card can slip, or an early deadbolt that has worked loose in its bore, held to the jamb by a strike plate with short screws biting into soft wood.
The calls we get about deadbolts fall into a few familiar groups. Some doors never had a deadbolt at all. Some people have just moved in and want hardware whose keys they control. Some deadbolts have started to stick, so the key turns hard or the bolt only partly extends. Some were damaged in a break-in attempt and the door frame is cracked around the strike. And some people simply want a stronger lock than the one the builder or a previous owner chose.
We'll be straight about what a deadbolt does. It does not make a house impenetrable. What a properly sized, properly fitted deadbolt with a well-anchored strike does is make the door take real effort and noise to defeat, and that is usually enough to send an opportunist elsewhere. The key words are properly fitted. A good lock in a sloppy installation is a weak lock, and most of our work is about getting the installation right.
Single-cylinder or double-cylinder deadbolt: which should you choose?
A single-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on the outside and has a thumbturn on the inside. A double-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on both sides. Double-cylinder deadbolt installation is the less common request, and we like to talk it through before anyone commits, because the extra security comes with a real trade-off.
The case for a double-cylinder lock is a door with glass in it, or a narrow window beside it, within arm's reach of the inside thumbturn. Someone who breaks the glass can reach in and turn a thumbturn, but cannot turn a keyed inside cylinder without the key. The case against is safety. In a fire or other emergency, everyone inside needs the key in order to leave, and a key that is not in the lock, or a panicked person who cannot find it, becomes a serious problem. Building and fire codes restrict keyed-both-sides locks on exit doors in many situations, and rental or shared buildings can have their own rules, so check with your landlord or the relevant authority if that applies to you.
- Single cylinder is the right choice for most front and back doors, because the inside thumbturn lets anyone leave quickly.
- Double cylinder makes sense mainly where glass sits close to the lock and the code and safety questions have been answered for that specific door.
- If you do choose double cylinder, keep a key in a consistent, known spot near the door, not hanging in the lock where it defeats the purpose.
- Often a single-cylinder deadbolt with a solid strike, plus a change to the glass or the door design, is the better overall trade. We'll tell you if we think so.
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Call (213) 577-1366How does a deadbolt installation work, step by step?
Whether we are adding a deadbolt to a door that has none or replacing an old one, the sequence is the same. We do not rush the measuring, because that is where most poor installations go wrong.
- Look at the door and frame. We check the door's thickness and material, whether a deadbolt hole already exists, the condition of the edge, and how solid the jamb is. Wood that is split, rotted or swollen gets addressed before hardware goes on.
- Choose the hardware with you. We go over the security grade, finish, single or double cylinder, whether you want the deadbolt keyed to match your existing lock, and the backset your door needs. Most residential doors take either a 2-3/8 inch or a 2-3/4 inch backset.
- Prepare the door. For a new installation we mark and drill with a jig, not by eye: a cross bore for the lock body, usually 2-1/8 inches, and a smaller edge bore for the bolt, usually 1 inch. For a replacement we measure the existing holes and match the new lock to them instead of enlarging them.
- Fit the bolt and the lock body. We seat the latch in the door edge so the faceplate sits flush, then connect the cylinder and the thumbturn through the door so the two halves pull together without binding.
- Install the strike. We mortise the strike plate into the jamb so the bolt enters its hole dead center, and we use long screws that reach the framing behind the jamb, not just the trim. This step does more for real-world strength than most people expect.
- Test it properly. We cycle the lock with the door open, then closed, then again with the door pulled and pushed. The bolt should extend fully with little effort and no scraping. We hand over the keys and show you how everything operates.
Deadbolt replacement, new installation, or something else?
These are different jobs, and picking the right one can save you money and trouble. A deadbolt replacement swaps an existing lock for a new one in the holes that are already there. It is generally the simpler job when the door is sound. A new installation means drilling the door and frame for a lock that was never there, which takes more time and care.
If your current deadbolt works smoothly and the only problem is that you do not know who has keys, you may not need a new lock. Rekeying the lock changes the internal pins so old keys stop working, and it is usually the more economical route when the hardware itself is in good shape. If the hardware is worn, damaged, or of a type you would rather not keep, a replacement is the better answer, and our broader lock replacement work covers knobs and handle sets as well.
Some people want more than a standard deadbolt. If your concern is picking, drilling or bumping, ask about high-security locks, which use tighter tolerances and hardened parts. If you would rather open the door with a code or your phone, our smart lock installation page explains how those lock bodies differ from a traditional deadbolt. And if you are currently standing outside your own door while reading this, house lockout service is the first call, and we can often talk about the deadbolt upgrade once you are back inside.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What affects the cost of deadbolt installation in Commerce?
We don't quote numbers on a web page, because the honest answer depends on your door. What we can do is tell you exactly what moves the cost up or down, and then give you a clear figure once we know what you have. We explain the cost before we start work, and we do not add surprises afterward.
- Hardware grade and brand: a basic residential deadbolt and a heavier, more pick-resistant one are very different products, and that difference carries through to the cost.
- Single or double cylinder: double-cylinder locks involve a second keyed cylinder and are less commonly stocked, which can affect cost.
- New installation or replacement: drilling fresh holes and mortising the door edge takes more labor than swapping a lock into holes that already fit.
- Condition of the door and jamb: a cracked jamb or a hollow, damaged door may need reinforcement or repair so the new lock has something solid to hold onto.
- Strike and reinforcement choices: longer screws, a wider strike or a jamb reinforcement add materials and time, and are usually worth it.
- Number of doors and keying: setting several deadbolts to the same key takes a little more planning than one lock.
- Time of day and travel: after-hours calls and distance both factor in. We serve Commerce from our Westwood storefront and mobile vans, roughly 19 miles away, and we account for that honestly.
What does deadbolt installation look like across Commerce?
Our deadbolt work in Commerce, within ZIP code 90040, is mostly residential, and it splits along the city's geography. In the older pockets around Rosewood Park, Bristow Park and Bandini, we are usually dealing with 1940s and 1950s wood doors, often with decades of repainting, and a door frame that has settled over time. A very common call there starts as a house lockout or a rekey and turns into a deadbolt conversation, because once someone is looking closely at the door, the weak points are obvious: a lock with no deadbolt, a strike plate fastened with short screws, or a bolt that barely reaches the jamb.
Summer heat matters here too. Commerce sits in an inland basin with hot, dry summers and little marine moderation, and heat can swell wood doors on older tract homes. A deadbolt that slides easily in March can bind in August because the door has grown against the frame. When we install or replace one, we check the alignment with that in mind and correct the cause, whether that is the strike position, the door edge or the hinges, instead of simply forcing a lock that will keep fighting you.
Newer townhome infill, such as Rosewood Village, brings a different situation. If your home has the original builder-supplied hardware and you want something sturdier, or you want a matching set of keyed-alike locks on several doors, that is a straightforward upgrade we can do on site.
Much of Commerce is warehouses and distribution buildings along Washington Boulevard, Telegraph Road and Atlantic Boulevard, and that is a separate type of work with heavier hardware. This page is about residential deadbolts. For tenant doors and commercial buildings, our commercial door hardware page is the better starting point.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for a deadbolt?
We have been in business since 1987, and a lot of what we know about deadbolts comes from fixing other people's installations: bolts that miss the strike by a fraction, holes cut crooked, screws that never reached a stud. We know what a clean job looks like and we try to deliver it every time.
We are one company, not a dispatch service. The person who answers (213) 577-1366 works for us, the technician who arrives works for us, and nobody hands your job to a middleman who has never seen your door. We run a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans that come to you in Commerce, so the hardware you need is usually on the truck. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work and the standards we follow.
We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. A deadbolt is not always a convenient-hours problem, especially after a break-in attempt, when the door has to be secured before you can sleep.
How do you know a locksmith is legitimate?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, called a BSIS LCO license. That applies to everyone you might call, and you should ask for the license number before anyone touches your door. A legitimate company will give it to you without hesitation, and you can verify it with the state. Also pay attention to whether the company gives a local business name and address when it answers, whether the technician arrives in a marked vehicle, and whether you get a clear explanation of the cost before work begins.
If you own rental property in Commerce, deadbolts on entry doors are a routine part of keeping a unit secure between tenants, and California rental law sets expectations for security hardware that are worth reviewing for your situation. Our page on locksmith services for landlords covers how we handle multiple doors and turnover work.
What should you have ready when you call?
A few details let us arrive with the right hardware and give you a more accurate idea of the work. None of this is required, and if you are not sure about something, we will work it out at the door.
- Whether the door already has a deadbolt, and whether you want to keep the same keying or start fresh.
- What the door is made of: solid wood, hollow-core, metal, or wood with glass panels.
- Whether there is glass or a window near the lock, which affects the single or double cylinder question.
- Any damage to the door edge or the jamb, including splits from a past break-in attempt.
- The finish you prefer, such as brass tones, nickel or black, so the lock suits your other hardware.
- Whether this is one door or several, and whether you want them all to use the same key.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to install a deadbolt?
A replacement into existing holes on a sound door is usually the quicker job, while a new installation that needs drilling and a mortised strike takes longer. A damaged jamb adds to it. We can give you a better idea once you describe the door on the phone.
Can you install a deadbolt on a door that does not have one?
Yes. We drill the cross bore and the edge bore using a jig so the holes are square and correctly sized, then fit the bolt, the strike and the cylinder. Doors that are very thin, hollow or already damaged may need reinforcement first, and we will tell you if yours does.
Is a double-cylinder deadbolt a good idea for my Commerce home?
Sometimes, but not often. It makes sense mainly when glass sits within reach of the inside thumbturn. The downside is that you need a key to get out during an emergency, and codes restrict these locks on some exit doors. We will go over it with you before installing one.
My deadbolt sticks in the summer. Do I need a new one?
Not necessarily. Heat can swell older wood doors, which pushes the bolt out of line with the strike. Often the fix is adjusting the strike, the door edge or the hinges. If the lock itself is worn, we will replace it, but we check the alignment first so the new lock does not fail the same way.
Should I rekey my deadbolt or replace it?
If the lock works smoothly and is in good shape, and your concern is who has copies of the key, rekeying is usually the lighter-cost option. If it is worn, damaged, or a weak type you want to move away from, replacement is the better route.
Can you make several deadbolts work with one key?
Yes. We can key multiple deadbolts alike so one key opens the front, back and side doors. Tell us how many doors you have and whether you want to match an existing lock.
Do you install deadbolts after hours or on weekends?
Yes. Our phone line at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. After-hours work can affect the cost, and we will explain that before we begin.
How do I know your technician is legitimate?
Ask for the company's BSIS LCO license number, which California requires of locksmith companies, and ask any locksmith the same. You can also check that the company gives a real local name and address. Ours is Wilshire Lock & Key, 10740 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Can a deadbolt be added to a door that was damaged in a break-in attempt?
Usually yes, once the damage is dealt with. A cracked jamb or split door edge has to be repaired or reinforced so the new bolt and strike have solid wood to hold. We will look at the damage and explain what the door needs before we install anything.
More locksmith help in Commerce
Deadbolt Installation near Commerce
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.