What does deadbolt installation actually involve?
A deadbolt looks like a simple part, but how well it works depends almost entirely on how it is installed. The lock itself is only half the story. The other half is the bore in the door, the edge hole for the bolt, and the strike plate and screws that hold the door frame to the bolt when someone leans on it. A strong deadbolt set into a sloppy bore will bind, stick, or let the door flex. A modest deadbolt set in cleanly will work for years.
When we do deadbolt installation in Westlake Village, we are doing one of two jobs. Either your door has no deadbolt yet and needs one added, or it has one that is worn, loose, mismatched, or no longer what you want, and we are handling a deadbolt replacement. The second job is usually quicker because the holes already exist, but it still needs a careful check that the new lock sits square and the bolt lines up with the frame.
This page is about the deadbolt itself: choosing it, fitting it, and aligning it. If you need other work, such as every lock on the house keyed alike or an electronic lock, we cover those on separate pages and point you to them below.
Single-cylinder or double-cylinder: which deadbolt do you need?
A single-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on the outside and has a thumbturn on the inside. This is what most homes should have. You can lock or unlock it from inside without hunting for a key, which matters if you ever need to leave quickly.
A double-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on both sides. People ask for double cylinder deadbolt installation for one main reason: there is glass in or right next to the door, and they do not want someone to break the glass, reach through, and turn a thumbturn. That concern is real, but the trade-off is just as real. If everyone inside needs a key to get out, a fire or other emergency can become dangerous if the key is not where you expect it.
Because of that, many building and fire codes restrict or regulate double-cylinder locks on residential doors, especially on doors that serve as a required exit. We do not give legal rulings on your particular building, so check with your local building department or your HOA if you are unsure. If you do choose one, the usual habit is to keep a key in a fixed spot near the door, out of reach from outside glass.
Here is a quick way to think about it:
- Solid door with no glass nearby: a single-cylinder deadbolt is almost always the right call.
- Narrow sidelight or door glass within arm's reach of the lock: ask us about a double-cylinder, and also about alternatives such as security film or moving the lock position.
- Household with children, older relatives, or guests who do not know the house: single cylinder, so the way out is obvious.
- Rental or shared property: check the lease and local rules before changing the cylinder type.
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Call (213) 577-1366How we install or replace a deadbolt, step by step
Here is how a typical visit runs. Every door is a little different, so we adjust as we go, but the order stays the same.
- Look at the door. We check the thickness, the material (solid wood, hollow-core, metal, or fiberglass), the condition of the edge, and whether the frame is sound. A deadbolt is only as strong as what it is screwed into.
- Measure and confirm fit. For a replacement we match the existing bore and backset, which is the distance from the door edge to the center of the lock. For a new install we mark the height and centerline so the deadbolt sits properly above the handle set.
- Drill or prepare the openings. A new install needs a cross bore through the face of the door and an edge bore for the bolt. A replacement may only need the old lock removed and the holes cleaned up.
- Mount the lock body and cylinder. We seat the latch and bolt in the edge, fit the cylinder through the face, and join the two sides so the lock turns freely without forcing.
- Set the strike plate. The strike gets mortised flush into the frame. On a good job, the bolt lands in the center of the strike hole with no rubbing.
- Use proper screws. We use long screws that bite into the framing behind the jamb, not just the thin trim. This is what makes a door hard to kick in.
- Test it. We cycle the bolt many times with the door open and closed, check that the key works smoothly, and confirm the door does not need to be lifted or pushed to lock.
- Hand over keys and explain. You get the keys, we show you how the lock operates, and we tell you if anything else about the door or frame deserves attention.
How much does deadbolt installation cost in Westlake Village?
We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real price depends on your door and your choices. We would rather tell you what moves the cost so you can make sense of any quote you receive, ours or anyone else's. Call (213) 577-1366 and describe the door, and we can tell you what is involved.
The main factors are:
- New install or replacement. Adding a deadbolt to a door with none requires drilling and more labor than swapping one for another.
- Lock grade and brand. Deadbolts are rated in grades under the ANSI/BHMA system, with Grade 1 being the heaviest duty. A higher grade typically costs more and is built to take more abuse.
- Single or double cylinder. Double-cylinder hardware is a more specialized part and can cost more.
- Door material and condition. Hollow doors, cracked edges, or previously over-drilled holes may need reinforcement before a new lock will hold.
- Frame and strike work. If the jamb is split or the door has dropped out of alignment, fixing that is part of making the lock work, and it adds time.
- Number of doors. Doing several doors in one visit is generally the more economical route than separate trips.
- Finish and style. Matching your existing handle set finish can narrow the options.
- Timing and distance. After-hours calls and the drive out to Westlake Village, which is roughly 32 miles from our Westwood storefront, can factor into the total.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Replacing an old deadbolt versus adding a new one
Deadbolt replacement is often more worthwhile than people expect. A lock that has been in the door for decades can have worn internal parts, a loose cylinder, a bolt that no longer fully extends, or a key that has been copied from copies. If the key sticks, the bolt drags, or the lock moves when you turn it, it is usually time to replace it rather than keep nursing it along.
There is a lighter-cost path in some cases. If the deadbolt is sound but you are worried about who has keys, you may only need the cylinder changed, which is a rekey rather than a full replacement. We cover that on our lock rekey page. If the whole lock is worn out, or you want a heavier grade, then replacing the hardware is the better route, and our lock replacement page explains the wider picture beyond just deadbolts.
If you are adding a deadbolt where there was none, our lock installation page covers the broader set of new-hardware work. For heavier-duty options such as pick-resistant or drill-resistant cylinders, see high-security locks. And if you are leaning toward keypad or app-based hardware instead of a keyed deadbolt, our smart lock installation page is the place to start.
Deadbolts for Westlake Village homes: what we see locally
Westlake Village is a master-planned community that grew up from the late 1960s around its man-made lake. Most of the city's housing is 1960s to 1980s single-family tract homes, and many sit under HOAs. Condos and townhomes cluster near the lake and Agoura Road. The whole city shares ZIP code 91361, so a call from anywhere in the city is a call we can plan around.
That age matters for deadbolts. In older tracts such as First Neighborhood and Foxmoor Hills, original 1960s and 1970s hardware still survives on some doors. Replacing that original hardware is one of the more common scenarios for this kind of work here. After decades, those locks can have loose mounting, tired springs, and worn keyways, and the doors around them may have shifted a little. When we replace a deadbolt in a home like that, we pay close attention to the old bore and strike area, because forty or fifty years of use can leave oversized holes or a worn frame that needs tidying before the new lock will sit tight.
On Westlake Island, the lakefront homes sit behind a gated bridge entrance. That gate helps with who can drive in, but it is not a substitute for solid door hardware, and each home still depends on its own front and patio doors. Lakefront homes often have doors with glass, which is where the single-versus-double-cylinder question comes up most. In Southshore Hills and other tract areas, the questions tend to be more ordinary: a front door with no deadbolt, a side gate-to-garage door that was never upgraded, or a lock that has simply worn out.
If you are in a neighborhood such as Three Springs, Trentwood, Hidden Canyon, Triunfo Corner, or Village Homes, the process is the same. We look at the door, match the lock to the job, and set it properly. If you live just outside the city line, in an area such as North Ranch on the Thousand Oaks side or Lake Sherwood in unincorporated Ventura County, we cover those areas as well. Just tell us the address when you call.
Climate plays a small part. The Conejo Valley gets some marine moderation, but summers are warm and dry, with Santa Ana wind events. For hardware, the practical effects are sun exposure on finishes and modest seasonal movement in wood doors. A door that fit perfectly in winter can bind a little in a different season, so we leave the bolt and strike with a bit of working clearance instead of cutting everything to a hairline fit.
If your community has an HOA, it is worth checking whether exterior door hardware finishes or colors are regulated before choosing a deadbolt for a front door. We can show you finish options that match your existing handle set so the change is not noticeable from the street.
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 deadbolt work
We have been in business since 1987. We run a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans that cover 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including Westlake Village. When you call, you are dealing with one company, not a call center that passes your address to whoever is free. That keeps the person who knows what you were told connected to the person who shows up.
David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. Deadbolt installation sounds routine, and it is, but the small decisions about bore size, strike depth, and screw length are what separate a lock that lasts from one that fails in a few years. Those are details we care about.
Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round, at (213) 577-1366. If you are locked out rather than planning an upgrade, see our house lockout page. If the door will not secure at all and you need help tonight, our emergency locksmith page explains how we handle urgent calls.
What to ask any locksmith before they work on your door
California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, known as a BSIS LCO license. It is reasonable to ask any locksmith for that license number before they start work, and to check it with the state. This applies to us and to everyone else. A company that dodges the question is telling you something.
A few other things are worth asking. Will the quote cover the lock, the labor, and any frame work? Who will actually come to the door? Will the lock be a specific grade and brand, and can you see it before it is installed? A straightforward company can answer all of those directly.
Also be cautious if a phone quote sounds far too low and then grows once someone is at the door. Deadbolt jobs are not mysterious. A good description of the door lets a locksmith give you an honest picture of what will affect the cost before anyone drives out.
Getting ready for your visit
You do not need to prepare much, but a few details speed things up. Know whether the door is solid wood, hollow, metal, or fiberglass. Note whether you want a single or double cylinder. Mention any glass near the lock. If you are replacing a deadbolt, tell us if the current one is hard to turn or if the door is hard to close, because the problem may be the alignment and not the lock.
If you want several doors keyed to work with one key, tell us when you call so we can plan the hardware. For other residential needs beyond the deadbolt, our residential locksmith page gives the full picture of what we do for homes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a deadbolt on a door that does not have one?
Yes, in most cases. We check the door thickness and material first, then drill the face and edge holes, mount the lock, and set the strike plate in the frame. A very thin or hollow door may need reinforcement, and we will tell you if that applies to yours.
What is the difference between a single-cylinder and a double-cylinder deadbolt?
A single-cylinder has a key on the outside and a thumbturn on the inside. A double-cylinder needs a key on both sides. Double cylinders are used where glass near the door could let someone reach in, but they can slow your exit in an emergency, so many people choose single cylinder.
Are double-cylinder deadbolts allowed on homes in Westlake Village?
We cannot give a legal ruling on your specific building. Many codes regulate or restrict double-cylinder locks on residential exit doors, and HOA rules can matter too. Check with the local building department or your HOA, and ask us about alternatives if there is any doubt.
How much does it cost to replace a deadbolt?
It depends on factors rather than a flat figure: whether it is a replacement or new install, the lock grade, single or double cylinder, the condition of the door and frame, how many doors, and the time of day. Call (213) 577-1366 with a description of your door and we can explain what applies.
Should I replace the deadbolt or just rekey it?
If the lock is in good shape and you only want to change who has working keys, rekeying is usually the more economical route. If the lock is worn, loose, sticking, or the wrong grade for what you need, replacement makes more sense. We will tell you honestly which one fits.
My old deadbolt in an older Westlake Village home is loose and hard to turn. Is that a replacement job?
Often, yes. Original hardware from the 1960s and 1970s can have worn parts and a loosened mounting. Sometimes the door has shifted so the bolt rubs the strike. We check the lock and the alignment, and fix the cause rather than just swapping the lock.
Can you install a deadbolt in the middle of the night?
Yes. Our phone at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the work is not urgent, we can schedule it at a more convenient time, which is often the more economical route.
Do you install deadbolts outside the city limits of Westlake Village?
Yes. We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including nearby areas such as North Ranch on the Thousand Oaks side and Lake Sherwood in Ventura County. Give us the address when you call.
Is your company licensed to do this work?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for their number before work begins. Ask us when you call and we will answer your questions about it directly.
More locksmith help in Westlake Village
Deadbolt Installation near Westlake Village
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.