Deadbolt Installation
Adding a first deadbolt or upgrading to a higher ANSI/BHMA security grade -- call (916) 913-5080 to confirm your door type, backset, and preferred hardware.
Call Now: (916) 913-5080Deadbolt Grades Actually Mean Something
A deadbolt is a genuine step up in security over a standard spring-latch knob lock, but not all deadbolts are equal -- they're independently tested and rated under the ANSI/BHMA A156.36 grading standard, on a scale from Grade 3 (residential builder-grade minimum) up through Grade 2 (a meaningful upgrade) to Grade 1 (commercial-grade, the toughest rating). The grade reflects real, tested differences: bolt throw length, strike plate strength, and resistance to kicking, prying, and drilling attacks. If your door currently has a builder-grade Grade 3 deadbolt -- which is what most new-construction homes ship with -- upgrading to Grade 2 or Grade 1 is one of the higher-value security improvements available for a single door.
Backset, Bore Holes, and Fitting a New Deadbolt
Two measurements determine whether a given deadbolt fits your door without modification: the backset (distance from the door's edge to the center of the bore hole, almost always 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" on U.S. residential doors) and the door thickness (standard exterior doors are typically 1-3/4"). If you're upgrading an existing deadbolt, matching these measurements means a straightforward swap. If you're installing a FIRST deadbolt on a door that's never had one, a new bore hole needs to be cut -- routine on wood and most fiberglass doors, more involved on solid metal doors where the hole needs to be cut with different tooling and the strike plate reinforced into the frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Grade 1, 2, and 3 deadbolt?
These are ANSI/BHMA security grades, and they're tested and rated, not marketing terms. Grade 3 is the residential-builder-grade minimum most new homes ship with. Grade 2 offers meaningfully better forced-entry resistance and is a common upgrade for homeowners who want more than the builder minimum. Grade 1 is the commercial-grade standard, tested to withstand significantly more force and typically found on businesses, rental properties needing durability, and security-conscious homeowners. Higher grade generally means thicker bolt throw, stronger strike plate, and more resistance to kicking or prying.
Single-cylinder or double-cylinder deadbolt -- which do I need?
A single-cylinder deadbolt is keyed on the outside and has a simple turn-knob on the inside -- the standard choice for most exterior doors. A double-cylinder deadbolt requires a key on BOTH sides, including from inside the home, which adds security against someone breaking a nearby window and reaching in to unlock a turn-knob, but it also means you need a key to exit -- a real safety consideration during a fire or emergency that many fire codes restrict or prohibit on certain doors. We'll walk through which is appropriate and, where relevant, whether local code allows a double-cylinder on your specific door.
Will a new deadbolt fit my existing door, or does the door need modification?
Most standard doors accommodate a standard deadbolt with no modification -- it depends on the backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the bore hole), which is almost always either 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" on U.S. residential doors. If you're installing a first deadbolt where none exists, a new hole needs to be bored, which is straightforward on wood and most fiberglass doors and requires different tooling on metal doors. Call with your door material and we'll confirm the right approach.
Should I get a smart deadbolt instead of a standard one?
A smart deadbolt (keypad or app-controlled) uses the same ANSI grading system as traditional deadbolts, so security grade isn't automatically better or worse -- it depends on the specific model. The real tradeoff is convenience (keyless entry, temporary codes, remote lock/unlock) versus a traditional mechanical deadbolt's simplicity and lack of batteries or electronics to fail. See our dedicated Smart Lock Installation page for a fuller comparison if you're deciding between the two.
What to have ready when you call: your door type and material (wood, metal, fiberglass), whether this is a first-time install or an upgrade of an existing deadbolt, and any security grade preference, so we can confirm whether we can help before any technician is scheduled.
Call (916) 913-5080 about deadbolt installation.