How to Change the Lock on a Front Door

 Image credit to rarueter.

Almost as easy as hanging a new piece of wall art metalor copper wall decor, changing the lock on a front door is a somewhat simple task that most people can do on their own, without calling out a locksmith, in less than thirty minutes. Many people feel safer when they move into a new home or apartment when they change the locks on the door, which assures them that they are the only person who has keys to their home. For the purposes of this article, we will discuss changing the front door lock when the lock is a deadbolt and/or door knob lock, which are the most common types of locks found on residential properties.

Choosing a Lock

When choosing a new lock, it is usually best to go with the same brand of lock as your existing lock, which you can find by examining the latch. If you choose to go with the same brand and the same style of lock that is already installed, you will not need to make other modifications to the door in order to use the lock. Measure the backset of your deadbolt and/or door knob from the center of the deadbolt/door knob to the edge of the latch. You will probably find that this measurement is either 2-3/4" or 2 3/8", which are the most common sizes of backsets. Some latches or bolts are adjustable for either measurement, but record your measurements anyway before you go to purchase the lock, just in case.

 Image credit to dewitt.

Out with the Old, In With the New

You will need to remove the old existing lock before you can install the new one, and paying close attention during the removal process can help you to understand how to reinstall the lock in the next step: Removing the lock is basically installation of the lock in reverse.  Remove the deadbolt or door knob by backing the screws out that secure one side to the other.  There are usually two screws here; remove both of them and pull each half of your door knob away from the opening in the door frame.  Remove the door knobs latch or the deadbolts throw bolt by removing the two screws that secure it in the door's edge.  If you are installing the same brand and style of lock, you can skip this step if the mechanisms are in good working order – but be sure to measure the new one with the old one by visually comparing the two. When installing your new lock, you will work in reverse order – following the steps that you used to remove the old lock in order to get the new one in place.  There will also be instructions in the lock's packaging materials. 

Rekeying

You have another option when it comes to making sure that old keys will not work in your existing lock: rekeying.  Rekeying is the process of switching out the pins inside your lock and replacing them with new pins that match new keys.  A locksmith will usually rekey several locks in your home for less than a hundred dollars, and you can still keep the existing locks without worrying that someone can enter your home with an old key.