What does deadbolt installation involve for a Lomita home?
A deadbolt looks like a simple part, but how well it works depends on the door it sits in. Installation means more than drilling a hole and screwing in hardware. The door has to be bored to the right size, the bolt has to line up with the strike in the frame, and the strike has to be anchored into something solid. A deadbolt that is slightly off will drag, stick, or force you to lift and shove the door to lock it. After a few months most people stop locking it at all, and then the deadbolt is doing nothing.
We do two kinds of work under this heading. The first is a new installation, where a door has only a latch or knob lock and you want a real deadbolt added. The second is deadbolt replacement, where an existing deadbolt is worn, loose, sticking, keyed to people you no longer trust with access, or simply a style you want to upgrade. Both start with looking at the door, not with picking a product off a shelf.
If you already have a lock that works but want different keys, that is a different job. Rekeying changes the internal pins and leaves the hardware in place, and we cover it on our lock rekey page for Lomita. This page is about putting a deadbolt into a door, or swapping one out.
Single-cylinder or double-cylinder: which deadbolt fits your door?
A single-cylinder deadbolt has a key slot on the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. It is the standard choice for most front and back doors because you can lock and unlock from inside without hunting for a key. A double-cylinder deadbolt has a key slot on both sides, so the bolt cannot be turned from inside without a key.
People ask for double-cylinder deadbolt installation for one main reason: a door with glass in it, or a window within arm's reach of the lock. If a burglar breaks the glass and reaches in, a thumb turn is easy to grab. A keyed interior cylinder takes that option away. That is a real benefit on the right door.
It also carries a real tradeoff. In an emergency, everyone inside needs a key to get out quickly, and a key that is not within reach is no help in a fire. Because of that, many fire and building rules limit or prohibit double-cylinder deadbolts on certain exit doors, particularly in rentals and multi-unit buildings. We will tell you plainly when we think a double-cylinder is the wrong call for a particular door, and if you live in a rental or an HOA community, check with your landlord or association before you order one.
- Choose single-cylinder for most solid entry doors, especially if kids, older family members, or guests need to leave easily.
- Consider double-cylinder only where there is glass or a nearby window that makes a thumb turn reachable, and only where it is allowed for that door.
- If you pick double-cylinder, keep a key in a consistent spot near the door, out of sight from outside but quick for everyone in the home to find.
- If neither feels right, a single-cylinder deadbolt with a reinforced strike and longer screws often solves the real problem.
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Call (213) 577-1366How we install or replace a deadbolt, step by step
Whether we come in a mobile van to your home or you stop by our Westwood storefront with questions first, the process on the door is the same. We do not rush the alignment, because that is where most deadbolt problems start.
- Check the door. We look at thickness, material, condition, and whether it hangs square in the frame. A door that rubs or has swollen will cause trouble no matter how good the deadbolt is.
- Confirm what is already there. If there is an existing deadbolt, we note the bore size, backset, and latch style so the replacement fits cleanly. If there is not, we measure for a new bore.
- Talk through the choice with you. Single or double cylinder, finish, grade of hardware, whether you want keys matched to your existing lock, and whether a smart option makes sense for you.
- Bore or prepare the door. For a new installation we cut the cross bore and edge bore to the correct sizes. For a replacement we confirm the existing holes are clean, undamaged, and sized correctly before installing.
- Mount the deadbolt and set the strike. We seat the bolt, mount the cylinder and interior assembly, and position the strike plate so the bolt travels straight into the frame.
- Reinforce where it matters. We use longer screws into the framing behind the strike so a kick is less likely to split the jamb. If the frame is already cracked, we tell you so you can decide how to deal with it.
- Test it with the door open and closed. We run the bolt through the full range several times, check how the key turns, and confirm the door closes without being forced.
- Hand over the keys and explain the hardware. You get the keys, and we show you anything that needs a quick explanation, such as how the thumb turn behaves.
What affects the cost of deadbolt installation in Lomita?
We do not quote a flat number for deadbolt work without seeing the door, because the same-looking job can vary a lot. Here is what actually moves the cost up or down.
The biggest factor is whether the door is already prepared. Replacing a deadbolt in an existing, correctly sized hole is usually the more economical route. Adding a brand-new deadbolt means boring the door, and that takes more time and more care. If an older door has been bored before and the holes are off-size or damaged, that adds work too.
- Hardware grade and brand. Basic grade hardware and higher-security, pick-resistant or drill-resistant hardware are different products at very different cost levels.
- Single versus double cylinder. Double-cylinder hardware is a more specialized part, and it needs the extra consideration described above.
- Door material and condition. Solid wood, hollow-core, metal, and doors with glass inserts all install differently, and a swollen or warped door may need adjustment first.
- Frame and strike condition. Reinforcing a split or weak jamb adds time and parts.
- Number of deadbolts. Doing the front, back, and garage side door in one visit generally makes better use of the trip than separate calls.
- Key matching. Keying several deadbolts to open with one key is a small extra step, but a real one.
- Time and location of the call. After-hours and weekend work is available at any hour, and distance from our base also plays a part, since Lomita is about 24 miles from our Westwood storefront. We give you the terms on the phone before we head out.
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Call (213) 577-1366Deadbolt replacement: when swapping beats adding
Plenty of Lomita homes already have a deadbolt that is simply tired. Signs it is time to replace it include a key that needs jiggling, a thumb turn that spins loosely, a bolt that no longer extends fully, or a cylinder that has started to wobble in the door. Another common trigger is a lost key or a move-in where you cannot be sure who else has a copy. In that case, if the hardware is also old, replacing is usually smarter than rekeying a worn lock.
Replacement is also the time to upgrade. Moving from a basic deadbolt to a stronger one, adding a reinforced strike, or choosing a keypad or smart model are all common reasons. If you are interested in a keypad or app-based unit, our smart lock installation service covers that, and if you want hardware with more pick and drill resistance, see our notes on high-security locks.
One thing we will say honestly: a stronger deadbolt is only as strong as the door and frame around it. If the jamb is thin, old, or already cracked, the best lock in the world will not stop a hard kick. When we see that, we tell you, and we fit the reinforcement that makes sense.
Deadbolts for Lomita cottages, townhomes, and mobile homes
Lomita has a small-town mix of housing, and each type asks something a little different of a deadbolt. Much of the older housing is 1940s and 1950s cottages and ranch homes, many sitting on deep lots from the city's small-farm era. Those homes often have original wood doors. Lomita sits at the foot of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, a couple of miles from the water, so the marine layer keeps things damp without heavy salt-air exposure. Older wood doors commonly swell during damp months. That matters for a deadbolt, because a swollen door can pull the bolt out of line with the strike and make a good lock feel broken. If we install on one of these doors, we check alignment with that seasonal movement in mind and do not set the strike so tight that the bolt binds when the wood expands.
On deep-lot properties, a house often comes with a detached garage or a workshop that has only a basic latch. Adding a deadbolt to a side door there is a straightforward and sensible upgrade, and we can key it to match your house if you want one key for everything.
Newer townhome and condo infill has replaced some of the older homes, so many HOA units have doors and frames that look uniform. Associations often have rules about exterior hardware finish or what may be changed on the front door, so check yours before ordering. Small apartment buildings cluster near Narbonne Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, and tenants there should talk to the landlord first, since changing hardware on a rented door usually needs permission. If you are locked out of one of those units while sorting this out, we handle it separately through our apartment lockout service.
Several mobile home parks sit along and near Pacific Coast Highway. Mobile home doors are often thinner and lighter than standard house doors, and the frames are built differently, so the bore size, backset, and strike mounting need extra attention. We look at what the door will actually hold before we promise a specific model.
Our Lomita work covers ZIP code 90717, including the Narbonne Avenue, Pacific Coast Highway, and Lomita Boulevard corridors, as well as the areas near Harbor Hills, Walteria in Torrance, and Harbor City. A typical call might be a Lomita Boulevard cottage that has only a knob lock on the front door, a Narbonne Avenue apartment tenant whose landlord has approved a new deadbolt, or a PCH-area mobile home where the old deadbolt is loose in a thin door. You can see the rest of what we do around town on our Lomita service area page.
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 deadbolts are everyday work for us, not a side job. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work, so the standards for how a door gets prepared and how a bolt gets aligned come from one person, not from whoever happened to be dispatched.
We are one company. We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans, and you are not routed through a call center that sells your job to a subcontractor. The number you call, (213) 577-1366, is answered around the clock, every day of the year, so a broken deadbolt at night is not something you have to wait out.
We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and Lomita is one of them. If you want the van to come to you, our mobile locksmith service page explains how that works. If you are a property owner dealing with several doors across units, our page for landlords is a better starting point.
What to check before you hire any locksmith
California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, called a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for that number before they start work, and check it with the state if you want to be sure. It is a fair question and a reasonable company will answer it without fuss.
A few other habits protect you. Ask what hardware is being installed and what grade it is. Ask whether the price covers the lock, labor, and any door preparation. Be wary of anyone who will not describe the work before arriving, or who changes the story once the job has started.
If you only need a worn deadbolt tuned up rather than swapped, ask about repair first. Our lock repair service covers cases where a sticking bolt or loose cylinder can be fixed without replacement. We would rather tell you that than sell you a new part you do not need.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a deadbolt on a door that only has a knob lock?
Yes. That is one of the most common jobs. We check the door's thickness and condition, bore the cross hole and edge hole for the deadbolt, mount the hardware, and set the strike in the frame. Some thin or hollow doors need extra care or reinforcement, and we will tell you before we start if your door is a poor candidate.
What is the difference between deadbolt installation and deadbolt replacement?
Installation adds a deadbolt to a door that does not have one, which means boring new holes. Replacement swaps out an existing deadbolt, usually in holes that are already cut. Replacement is usually the lighter-cost option because less door work is involved, though the final cost depends on the hardware and the condition of the door.
Is a double-cylinder deadbolt a good idea for my Lomita home?
It can be, if your door has glass in it or a window close to the lock. The risk is that you need a key to get out from inside, which can be dangerous in a fire. Many rules restrict double-cylinder deadbolts on some exit doors, so check with your landlord, HOA, or local fire authority. We will tell you honestly whether it suits your door.
My wood door sticks in damp weather and the deadbolt will not line up. Can you fix that?
Often, yes. Lomita's marine layer causes older wood doors to swell during damp months, which shifts the bolt out of line with the strike. We can adjust the strike, correct the bore if needed, and check the hinges. If the door itself needs planing or rehanging, we will say so rather than force a lock to work around it.
Can you match the new deadbolt to my existing key?
In many cases we can key the new deadbolt to match your current lock so you carry one key. That depends on the brands and keyways involved. If they are not compatible, we can key several new locks to one new key instead. Tell us what you want when you call and we will confirm what is possible.
I rent an apartment near Narbonne Avenue. Can I have a deadbolt installed?
Check with your landlord first. Changing hardware on a rented door usually requires permission, and some buildings have rules about what can be installed. Once you have approval, we can do the work. Landlords who want several doors handled can call us directly about multi-unit work.
Do you install deadbolts in mobile homes along Pacific Coast Highway?
Yes. Mobile home doors are often thinner and the frames are built differently from standard houses, so we check bore size, backset, and strike mounting carefully. We will recommend hardware that actually fits the door instead of one that looks stronger on the box but will not mount well.
Can you install a deadbolt outside normal business hours?
Yes. Our phone at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. If your door cannot be locked tonight, call and we will explain what we can do and what to expect before a van heads to Lomita. Some after-hours jobs are a temporary fix first, then a finished install later.
Will a new deadbolt stop someone from kicking in my door?
A good deadbolt helps, but the strike and frame matter just as much. Most forced entries break the jamb rather than the lock itself. That is why we use longer screws into the framing and point out any cracks or weak wood. We do not promise a door is unbreakable, but proper installation makes it meaningfully harder.
More locksmith help in Lomita
Deadbolt Installation near Lomita
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.