An Inside (Lock) Job
As you might expect, the arrival of baby Zoe hasn't left a lot of time for renovation in the last 4 (nearly 5) months...
Now that we're into summer, though, Liz will be home a little more often, and I'll be able to use some vacation time to really knock out a few small (and big) projects, so I hope you'll get some more frequent updates here.
Today's blog covers a recent small project - replacing an old, non-functional deadbolt lock on the front porch. Of course, considering there was already a locked outer door beyond this, plus more locks on the inside, and still another inner door (not to mention motion lighting and a security system), it wasn't like I left the drawbridge down over the moat. Still, it needed to be done, and it adds one additional bit of security and peace of mind.
Normally, this would be a fairly simply job, but the old lock was not your typical deadbolt, and had 'one-way screws'. These are great for security, but require some finesse when you finally want to remove them.
As you can see from the above photos, one-ways screws can still be removed even without a special tool. I used patience, a crowbar, and a good set of needle-nose pliers!
Of course, because this mechanism wasn't installed like a typical deadbolt, I had to enlarge the existing keyhole area in the door, and add a new hole for the bolt in both the door and the frame.
Once that was done, installation was pretty easy, but as you can see, I ended up with some splinters of wood missing, and had to put in some wood putty as filler.
Now, if you've been paying close attention you might have noticed that the lock is on the inside of the door! That's because this is a double cylinder (aka two-key) deadbolt that requires a key to lock it from either side. This means that no one can smash the glass out of the window and reach in to turn a knob.
I did the same job on our back door as well, adding heavy-duty metal strike plates and cylinder guards. I also replaced the simple door chain with a security lock that works similarly and is just as easy to use, but is many times stronger.
It adds not only more simple step to protection, but also more peace of mind, which is even more important as a new parent!
Now that we're into summer, though, Liz will be home a little more often, and I'll be able to use some vacation time to really knock out a few small (and big) projects, so I hope you'll get some more frequent updates here.
Today's blog covers a recent small project - replacing an old, non-functional deadbolt lock on the front porch. Of course, considering there was already a locked outer door beyond this, plus more locks on the inside, and still another inner door (not to mention motion lighting and a security system), it wasn't like I left the drawbridge down over the moat. Still, it needed to be done, and it adds one additional bit of security and peace of mind.
Normally, this would be a fairly simply job, but the old lock was not your typical deadbolt, and had 'one-way screws'. These are great for security, but require some finesse when you finally want to remove them.
 |
| Back |
 |
| Front |
 |
| Bolt hole |
As you can see from the above photos, one-ways screws can still be removed even without a special tool. I used patience, a crowbar, and a good set of needle-nose pliers!
 |
| Slow but steady screw removal |
Of course, because this mechanism wasn't installed like a typical deadbolt, I had to enlarge the existing keyhole area in the door, and add a new hole for the bolt in both the door and the frame.
 |
| Testing... so far so good! |
 |
| A whole other hole |
Once that was done, installation was pretty easy, but as you can see, I ended up with some splinters of wood missing, and had to put in some wood putty as filler.
 |
| Putty can be sanded and painted once dry. |
Now, if you've been paying close attention you might have noticed that the lock is on the inside of the door! That's because this is a double cylinder (aka two-key) deadbolt that requires a key to lock it from either side. This means that no one can smash the glass out of the window and reach in to turn a knob.
I did the same job on our back door as well, adding heavy-duty metal strike plates and cylinder guards. I also replaced the simple door chain with a security lock that works similarly and is just as easy to use, but is many times stronger.
It adds not only more simple step to protection, but also more peace of mind, which is even more important as a new parent!
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