Why do Valley Glen homeowners and renters need a new deadbolt?
Most deadbolt calls start with one of a few ordinary situations. Someone just bought a house and has no idea how many keys are out there. A roommate moved out and kept theirs. The old bolt sticks, spins freely, or only throws halfway. Or the door never had a deadbolt at all, and the only thing holding it shut is the spring latch in the knob, which a firm shoulder or a flexible card can often beat.
A deadbolt is a different kind of lock from a knob. The bolt is a solid piece of metal that is thrown into the door frame by a key or a thumbturn, and it does not slide back when someone pushes on the door. That is why it is the lock most people mean when they say they want a door to feel secure. We install them as new work on doors that have none, and as deadbolt replacement where an existing one has worn out, been damaged, or no longer suits how you live.
If all you need is new keys and the hardware is still in good shape, that is a different job, and our lock rekeying service covers it. This page is about the hardware itself: choosing it, fitting it to your door, and making it work smoothly for years.
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. For most front and back doors, single-cylinder is the right answer, because anyone inside can leave quickly without searching for a key.
Double cylinder deadbolt installation makes sense in a narrow set of cases, mainly a door with a glass panel or sidelight within arm's reach of the lock. On a door like that, someone can break the glass, reach in, and turn a thumbturn. The tradeoff is real, though. If there is a fire or any emergency and the key is not in the lock, you cannot get out through that door. Rules on double-cylinder locks can vary by building and by jurisdiction, and landlords often have their own, so check with your landlord or building manager before you ask for one. If we think a single-cylinder bolt on a reinforced door is the safer setup for your household, we will say so plainly.
- Single-cylinder: key outside, thumbturn inside. Best for most solid doors and the easiest to use in an emergency.
- Double-cylinder: key on both sides. Worth considering where glass sits near the lock, but you need a firm plan for where the inside key lives.
- Grade matters more than finish. Deadbolts are rated in grades, and the grade tells you more about how it will hold up than the color of the trim.
- Either type can be keyed to match your other locks, so one key can run the whole house.
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Call (213) 577-1366How does deadbolt installation work, step by step?
Every door is a little different, but the sequence is consistent. Here is what happens from the first call to the final test.
- You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us about the door: wood, metal, or hollow, whether there is already a deadbolt, whether glass is nearby, and what is frustrating you about the current setup.
- A technician arrives in one of our mobile vans with a range of deadbolt grades and finishes, so you can choose the hardware on site rather than guess over the phone.
- We inspect the door and frame first: thickness, condition of the edge, whether the door has swollen or sagged, and whether the frame is solid. A deadbolt cannot fix a door that does not close squarely, so we tell you now if something else needs attention.
- For a new install, we mark the height with a template and cut the cross-bore and edge-bore holes with a hole saw and bit so they are square and clean. For a replacement, we remove the old hardware and check the existing holes.
- We fit the bolt and latch faceplate flush with the door edge, then set the strike plate in the frame, chiseling the recess so it sits flat.
- We align the bolt so it throws fully into the strike without lifting the door, pulling it, or needing a push. On the strike we use long screws that reach the framing behind the jamb, because short screws in soft trim are a common weak point.
- We test with the door open, then closed, with the key and the thumbturn, and hand you the keys. If you chose keyed-alike hardware, we confirm it works with your other locks.
What does deadbolt replacement involve on a door that already has one?
Deadbolt replacement is usually the simpler job, since the holes are already there and most modern deadbolts are made to fit standard bores. The work is mainly removing the old unit, checking that the holes and the edge are in good condition, and fitting new hardware that lines up with the existing strike.
It gets more involved when the door has history. Older holes may have been enlarged by a previous install, the edge may be splintered from a forced-entry attempt, or layers of paint may have built up and thrown off the fit. Those things can usually be repaired and reinforced so the new bolt seats properly, but we will tell you what we see before we start.
Replacement is also a chance to improve the setup. If the old bolt was a basic grade, a stronger one with a reinforced strike can be a meaningful step up on the same door. And if the lock is only sticking, we will check whether alignment is the culprit before suggesting new hardware, because adjusting a strike is the usually more economical route when the deadbolt itself is sound. If you are replacing the knob or handle set as well, our lock replacement page covers complete hardware swaps.
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 Valley Glen?
We do not publish flat numbers here, because the real cost depends on the door in front of us. These are the factors that actually move the total:
- The hardware itself: a basic-grade deadbolt and a high-grade one are very different products, and brand and finish add to the difference.
- Single-cylinder or double-cylinder: double-cylinder units and their keying are a different product from the common thumbturn type.
- New install or replacement: cutting new holes in a door that has none takes more time than swapping a bolt into existing ones.
- Door material and condition: solid wood, metal, and hollow-core doors all behave differently, and a damaged or swollen door may need repair first.
- Reinforcement: strike plates, longer screws, or edge repair after a forced-entry attempt add to the work.
- Number of doors and keying: several doors in one visit, keyed to a single key, is usually the more economical route per door because you pay for one trip.
- Smart or high-security hardware: these cost more than conventional bolts and sometimes need extra fitting steps.
- Timing and distance: after-hours calls and travel to your address can factor in.
What does deadbolt work look like around Valley Glen?
Valley Glen is mostly postwar single-family tract housing from the 1940s and 50s, with apartment buildings concentrated along Victory and Vanowen. The neighborhood was carved out of Van Nuys and North Hollywood in the late 1990s, so the hardware you find here looks like what turns up in those older postwar areas. A house off Fulton Avenue or near the Burbank Boulevard corridor that has changed hands a few times can have a mix of locks from different decades, including a deadbolt added long ago with a strike plate that has loosened or been fitted with short screws.
One of the most common local scenarios is rekeying a postwar tract home after a purchase. For deadbolts, that often turns into a second question: is the existing bolt worth keeping? If it is a worn or basic unit, replacing it while we are already at the door can make more sense than rekeying hardware that is near the end of its life. Buyers in ZIP codes 91401, 91405, and 91606 tend to ask for the front and back doors to be done together so everything matches.
Climate plays a part, too. Valley Glen sits on the central valley floor, where summers are hot and dry, and heat-driven expansion of doors and weatherstripping is the main seasonal issue. A door that closes freely in winter can swell and bind in August, and a bolt fitted too tight will start to drag. We check the door's fit when we align the bolt and leave sensible tolerance, and if a door is rubbing the frame we point it out so a new deadbolt does not take the blame.
Around Los Angeles Valley College, student rentals turn over roommates often, which is a good reason to put a fresh deadbolt on the main door when someone leaves with a key. Along the Victory Boulevard corridor, apartment doors have their own considerations. Owners and managers can see our locksmith for landlords page for multi-door work, and if a tenant is already locked out, the apartment lockout page covers that separately. We also serve the Oxnard Street corridor and the Tujunga Wash Greenway side of the neighborhood. Valley Glen is about 13 miles from our Westwood storefront, and the work comes to you in our mobile vans.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Should you upgrade beyond a standard deadbolt?
Sometimes. If you want keyless entry, codes for a house sitter, or a lock that works from your phone, that is a different category of hardware, and our smart lock installation page explains how it fits into a door. If your concern is pick resistance, drill resistance, or key control, take a look at high-security locks.
For many Valley Glen doors, though, a properly graded conventional deadbolt, fitted straight and anchored into solid framing, does more than people expect. The installation quality matters as much as the product: a premium bolt in a loose strike is still easy to defeat. We will tell you honestly whether an upgrade makes sense for your door or whether the standard option does the job.
Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for a deadbolt?
We have been in business since 1987, and we serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, so a Valley Glen door is familiar work. Here is what you get when you call:
- A real storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, plus mobile service vans that come to your door.
- One company from first call to finished job, with no dispatch middlemen passing your address to a stranger.
- David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work and stands behind how it is done.
- Phone answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year, at (213) 577-1366.
What should you ask any locksmith before they start drilling?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, known as a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith you are considering for it, and ask for the company name, not just a first name on the phone. A legitimate company will not mind the question.
A few more questions are worth asking: Will you explain what drives the cost before you start? Will the work include aligning and testing the bolt, or just dropping it in? Will you tell me if my door needs repair first? Any good tradesperson will answer these directly. If you need a technician to come to you at an odd hour, our mobile locksmith page explains how that works, and if a break-in has damaged your door tonight, see emergency locksmith service.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a deadbolt installation take?
A replacement into existing holes is usually quick. A new install that needs drilling, or a door that needs repair first, takes longer. We can give you a better idea once we have seen the door and its condition.
Can you install a deadbolt on any door?
On most solid wood and metal doors, yes. Very thin or hollow-core doors may not hold a bolt securely without reinforcement, and a door with damaged edges may need repair first. We check the door before we cut anything and tell you plainly what it can handle.
Is a double-cylinder deadbolt a good idea for my front door?
It depends on the door. It helps when glass sits within reach of the lock, but it also means you need a key to get out in an emergency. Rules can vary by building and jurisdiction, and landlords often have their own, so check with them first. We will tell you honestly if a single-cylinder bolt is the safer choice.
Should I replace my deadbolt or just rekey it?
If the bolt works smoothly and is a decent grade, rekeying is usually the lighter-cost option and changes who has access. If it is worn, loose, or a basic unit, replacing it makes more sense. We can look at the hardware and tell you which applies.
Can renters in Valley Glen install a new deadbolt?
Check your lease and ask your landlord or property manager first. Many allow it, especially when you keep the original hardware to put back at move-out. If you manage rentals, we can help with multiple doors at once.
My deadbolt sticks in summer. Does it need replacing?
Not necessarily. Valley Glen summers are hot and dry, and doors and weatherstripping expand with the heat, which can make a bolt bind against the strike. Often the fix is adjusting the strike plate or the door's fit. We check that before suggesting new hardware.
Will a new deadbolt match my existing knob and handle?
We can usually match finishes closely, and keyed-alike options let one key work both locks. Brands vary in color, so we show you the options in person so you can see what looks right on your door.
Can you install deadbolts on several doors with the same key?
Yes. Keying multiple deadbolts to a single key is common for front, back, and side doors. Doing several in one visit is usually the more economical route compared with separate trips.
Do you work nights and weekends?
Yes. Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round at (213) 577-1366. If you need a deadbolt fitted after a break-in or a lost key, call anytime.
More locksmith help in Valley Glen
Deadbolt Installation near Valley Glen
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.