What does deadbolt installation actually involve?
A deadbolt is the lock that does the real work on an exterior door. The knob or handle latch on most doors can be pushed past with a card or a firm shoulder. A deadbolt has a solid steel bolt that slides into the door frame and stays there until the key or thumbturn pulls it back. When it is installed well, it is the part of your door that makes forcing it open slow and noisy.
Installation sounds simple, and with a good door it often is. But the result depends on small things: a bore hole cut square to the door edge, a bolt that lines up with the strike plate without rubbing, and screws long enough to reach the framing behind the jamb instead of just the thin trim. A deadbolt that is installed a little crooked will bind in cold or hot weather and wear out early. One that is fitted with short screws can be kicked through the frame even though the bolt itself is strong.
We handle three common jobs under this heading. The first is adding a deadbolt to a door that only has a knob lock. The second is deadbolt replacement, where an existing bolt is worn, sticking, or was installed poorly. The third is swapping a single-cylinder for a double-cylinder when the door layout calls for it. If you are putting new locks on several doors at once, our lock installation page covers the wider job.
Single cylinder or double cylinder: which one belongs on your door?
A single-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on the outside and has a thumbturn on the inside. This is the right choice for most front doors, and it is what we recommend by default. You can leave the house quickly in an emergency, and you do not have to hunt for a key to get out.
A double-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on both sides. People ask for it when the door has glass in or beside it. Without a key-operated inside cylinder, someone who breaks the glass could reach in and turn the thumbturn. That risk is real, and it is the main reason double-cylinder deadbolt installation exists.
The tradeoff is just as real. If there is a fire or you need to leave fast, you need a key in your hand or kept at a known spot nearby. Many people keep one on a hook near the door, out of reach from the glass, and that is a decision you have to be comfortable with. Some buildings, HOA rules, and rental situations also restrict keyed-both-sides locks on egress doors, so check with your association or property manager before you order one.
Here is how we usually think through the choice with a customer:
- Solid wood or metal door, no glass nearby: single cylinder.
- Glass panel or sidelight within arm's reach of the thumbturn: double cylinder is worth considering, or a single cylinder with a security film or a different glass setup.
- Rental unit or HOA building: confirm the rules first.
- Household with young children, elderly family members, or anyone who may panic in an emergency: lean toward single cylinder.
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Call (213) 577-1366How we install or replace a deadbolt, step by step
Every door is a little different, but the work follows the same order. We do it the same way whether we are at your house at noon or in the middle of the night.
- We look at the door first: thickness, material, condition of the edge, and what is already installed. Knowing whether the door is solid, hollow-core, or metal-clad changes how we drill it.
- We confirm the hardware fits. Most residential doors take a standard bore and backset, but older ranch homes and custom doors sometimes need an adjustment or a different latch.
- For a new deadbolt, we mark and drill the cross bore and the edge bore with the right bit size, square to the door. For a replacement, we remove the old hardware and check the existing holes for wear or splitting.
- We install the bolt, cylinder, and thumbturn or inside cylinder, then check the throw. The bolt should extend fully with no drag.
- We set the strike plate in the jamb, chisel it to sit flush, and use long screws that reach into the stud behind the jamb. This step is where most DIY installs fall short.
- We cycle the lock with the door open, then closed, then again from both sides. If the bolt rubs or the door has to be pulled to lock, we re-align until it does not.
- We hand you the keys, show you how the lock operates, and point out anything about the door itself, like a loose hinge or a gapping frame, that is worth fixing.
What affects the cost of deadbolt installation in Sherman Oaks?
We do not quote numbers on a web page because the job is not the same from door to door. What we can do is tell you honestly what moves the cost, so a quote makes sense when you get one.
The biggest variable is whether this is a fresh installation or a deadbolt replacement. A replacement into existing holes is usually quicker than drilling a new door. If the door needs work first, such as a patched bore, a reinforced edge, or a repaired jamb, that adds labor.
The hardware grade matters next. Builder-grade deadbolts and heavier, higher-grade ones are priced differently, and they last differently. A better-grade bolt has a stronger cylinder, harder internal parts, and a longer bolt. If you want to step up, our high-security locks page explains key control, pick resistance, and drill protection.
Other factors that can change the quote:
- How many doors are being done in one visit.
- Single versus double cylinder, and whether you want every lock keyed alike.
- Door type and condition: solid wood, metal, hollow, glass-paneled, or an older door with a worn edge.
- Whether you need extra keys or a rekey to match other locks on the property.
- The time of day, since after-hours calls are handled by a person who is on the road for you, not sitting at a desk.
- How far the van has to travel to reach you.
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Call (213) 577-1366When is deadbolt replacement the better call?
Sometimes the right answer is not a new deadbolt at all. If your current lock is sound but you are worried about who has keys, rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys stop working, and you keep the hardware. That is often the sensible move after a sale or a move-in, and we cover it on our lock rekey page.
Replacement makes more sense in these cases:
- The key turns hard, the bolt sticks, or the thumbturn is loose.
- The bolt does not fully extend, or you have to lift or push the door to lock it.
- The deadbolt is a very old or lightweight model that was never a strong lock to begin with.
- The finish has worn through or corroded, which is common on doors that take a lot of sun.
- You want a different style or a different cylinder type.
- The cylinder was damaged in an attempted break-in. In that case we also inspect the door and jamb for cracks.
Deadbolt installation across Sherman Oaks: what we see in your neighborhoods
Sherman Oaks covers a lot of different kinds of homes, and the right deadbolt job depends on which one you are in. The flats north of Ventura Boulevard carry 1930s to 1950s ranch and traditional homes, and the original doors on these houses can be thin, worn, or have had earlier lock holes drilled and patched. Before we fit a new bolt, we check whether the door edge can still hold one. Across ZIP codes like 91423 and 91403, we also find a lot of older front doors that have never had a proper deadbolt strike set into the framing.
In remodeled ranch homes in Chandler Estates, we often work alongside new doors and updated hardware. If you are adding a keypad or app-controlled lock, a solid mechanical deadbolt can still be the backup, and our smart lock installation page covers the electronic side of that choice.
The hillsides south of Ventura Boulevard, including Longridge Estates and Royal Woods, bring a different set of doors. Hillside properties frequently have gates, side-yard doors, and multiple entry points, so a single front-door deadbolt does not cover the whole house. We often look at each exterior door and decide which ones need a deadbolt. If a hillside gate latch is loose or failing, that is a separate repair, and we point you to gate lock repair. Wind and sun exposure on the hillsides ages weatherstripping and door finishes faster, which can warp the fit of a door over time and throw off bolt alignment. We account for that when we set the strike.
Along Ventura, Sepulveda, and Riverside, much of the housing is condo and apartment stock, including many HOA-managed buildings from the 1960s to 1980s. In a building like that, the door and frame may belong to the association, and there may be rules about hardware, finish, or keying. Check with your HOA before we start, and we will work to match what is allowed. Sherman Oaks is about 8 miles from our Westwood storefront, and our mobile vans cover the area, including the 91401 and 91411 ZIP codes.
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 we run a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood alongside our mobile service vans. When you call, you reach our company, not a dispatch service that sells your job to whoever is free. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.
That matters for a deadbolt because the quality is in the details you cannot see from the door: how square the bore is, how deep the screws go, whether the strike was chiseled flush. We would rather spend the extra few minutes on those than rush to the next call.
We answer the phone at (213) 577-1366 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. If you need a bolt installed after a break-in attempt or a lockout, our 24-hour locksmith service is built for that, and our mobile locksmith vans come to you so you do not have to leave an open door.
If you manage rentals, we also work with owners and managers on turnover and consistent hardware across units. See our page on locksmith services for landlords.
One more thing worth saying: California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. You should ask any locksmith, including us, about their credentials before they start work on your door.
What should you do before we arrive?
A few small things make the visit faster and the result better.
- Tell us on the phone whether the door is solid wood, metal, or hollow, and whether there is glass nearby.
- Let us know if this is a new deadbolt or a replacement, and what brand is on the door now if you can see it.
- If you live in a condo or HOA building, check whether there are hardware or keying rules.
- Clear the area around the door so we can work on both sides.
- Decide whether you want single or double cylinder. If you are unsure, we will talk it through when we look at the door.
- Gather the household and think about how many keys you need.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a deadbolt on a door that only has a knob lock?
Yes, in most cases. We check the door thickness and condition, drill the cross bore and edge bore, and set the bolt and strike. If the door is hollow-core or very thin, we may recommend reinforcement or a different approach, and we will tell you before we start.
What is the difference between a single and double cylinder deadbolt?
A single-cylinder deadbolt uses a key outside and a thumbturn inside. A double-cylinder uses a key on both sides. Double-cylinder is mainly for doors with glass nearby, but it means you need a key to get out, so you have to plan where that key lives.
Is a double cylinder deadbolt allowed in my condo or rental?
It depends on your building, your HOA, and your lease. Keyed-both-sides locks on exit doors raise safety concerns, so many associations and landlords have rules. Check with them first, then call us and we will install what is permitted.
How much does deadbolt installation cost in Sherman Oaks?
It depends on the hardware grade, whether it is a new installation or a replacement, the condition of the door and frame, and how many doors we are doing. We explain the factors and give you a clear quote when we know your door, rather than a number that may not fit your situation.
Do you do deadbolt replacement if my current lock still works?
We can, but if it works and the only concern is old keys, rekeying may be the better choice because it keeps your hardware and changes how it is keyed. If the lock is worn, weak, or damaged, replacement makes more sense. We will tell you which one fits.
Can you install a deadbolt at night or on a weekend?
Yes. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round, at (213) 577-1366. If you need a door secured urgently, tell us what happened and what the door looks like so we bring the right hardware.
Will a new deadbolt work with my existing keys?
Only if we match it. A new deadbolt usually comes with its own keys, but we can key it to match your other locks so you carry one key for the whole property. Tell us at the start so we plan for it.
Do I need a new strike plate and longer screws?
Often, yes. The strike plate and the screws holding it are where a lot of doors fail under force. We typically set a solid strike and use long screws that reach the framing behind the jamb, which makes the door much harder to kick in.
Can you add a deadbolt to a hillside gate or side-yard door?
Often we can, depending on the door or gate. Some gate setups need a latch or a different kind of lock rather than a standard deadbolt. We look at what is there and recommend what actually fits.
More locksmith help in Sherman Oaks
Deadbolt Installation near Sherman Oaks
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.