We just had installed a set of french doors out to our backyard and a side door to a mud room. The doors came with 2 holes each but no drilling for the locks. Is this a DIY job or would you recommend a locksmith do this? Thanks!
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Greetings Sue,
It would seem that if one has to ask then it is better to seek experienced help.
Then again, by you saying We just had installed a set of french doors and you are implying you all did the work yourselves, then yes, you can do it.
The question would be in your skill level.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." -Martain Luther King Jr.
Rez hit it...
but a good DIY'er book from the big box stores may be all the guidence you need...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Go to the store and get the type and style of lock that suits your application. Open the package and read the instructions. Buy whatever drill bits that you need along with the locks. You may also want to buy a small chisel to inlet the appropriate plates. While you are there, have the lock(s) keyed the same as the other locks in your house.
Repeat as needed.
if U drill it crooked and come out the side ...
it's a locksmith job ...
if U call a carpenter before a locksmith ... it's a carpenter job ...
if you have the name of a good carpenter .. and a good locksmith ... and can drill straight ... it's anyone's job.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Thank you all for your help. I misworded my post. We did not install the doors, our framer did. I think I'll be best off getting a locksmith based on your comments. Thanks a lot!
?two holes eacxh but no drilling for the locks?....never seen that...usually if the doors came pre-drilled then the locks can be installed with no more drilling...can you post a picture?...also, if your framer feels he can hang doors why can't he install locks as well?....
if your framer feels he can hang doors why can't he install locks as well?....
That's my thought too. Bucky had it right, it's anybody's job.
Did locks come with the doors?
Call the door supplier, manufacturer or representative to inquire as to the "two holes" and what type of lock should fit in them.
Call your contractor for his considerations in this matter!
If the the holes have a 2-1/8" diameter then they are for a deadbolt on top and an entry set on the bottom. Both are quite standard and readily available. The Hole for the backset(latch & deadolt) will need to be drilled to the diameter(usually 7/8" or 1") and type (drive latch or faceplated) as specifiied by the manufacturer of the locksets you decide to purchase.
Hopefully your contractor can install a lockset.....if not ask him for a referral....if not that, ask the supplier of the door!
It's not Rocket Science....and it's not necessarily a "Cake Walk" either!
................Iron Helix
Look at the maker's name on your existing front door locks, Schlage, Kwikset, etc. Buy the same brand for your new doors, and you can have them re-keyed to match your existing locks. The simplest thing is to have the same person who hung the doors install the locks. That way there's only one way to point the finger if something doesn't work right.
-- J.S.
btw ...
U sure there isn't two little white plastic squares right about where you'd be needing to drill ....
2 screws in each ... waiting for someone to take them off and uncover the predrilled holes?
I had one set of doors recently where I was all set to drill for the deadbolt ... the door knob had already been installed by the time I got involved on that job ....
then as I held the drill bit to the edge of the door ... I thot ... gee ... I wonder what'll happen if I slide this piece of metal up that little track ....
bingo!
there she was ..... someone had jambed the trim way down .. wouldn't have ever noticed it unless the slide lock at the top had jambed and I had to wiggle things around to get it working smoothly ....
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
where are you ...
there maybe somebody from here around the corner..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Sorry I haven't responded, we had a major virus on our home computer and I did not have access to my email for a few days. I'll try and answer all the questions as best I can.
We would love our framer to put the locks in IF HE WOULD EVER SHOW UP AGAIN!!! He did an amazing job of framing our house but now he hasn't come back to finish smallish jobs...very fustrating. And ironic since we still owe him a tonne of $$$.
We don't have a general contractor, just my husband and a very handy friend. unfortunately, the handy friend has fallin ill and therefore, our dilemma.
I live in Toronto, Ontario if there is anyone on this forum who knows of a good, reasonable locksmith...I would really appreciate it.
Thanks everyone!
sue
Welcome again Sue,
Your framer may be too busy on larger jobs and finds it hard to cut loose the time to put in a lockset.
You may want to avail yourself of some other threads here on Breaktime that could help you protect your computer from viruses.
Cheers
This can be easily done with the help of a spam link removed because drilling isn't easy to be done by own.So pefer Locksmith to install such door locks.
ask around
Is there a GC on this job? If so, I would start there first.
If not, does the OP have any friends with handy spouses or sons? Perhaps through folks at your local church?
This might be very simple. A reasonably competent DIYer will either say, 'this is easy, I can do it' or 'get a locksmith' in a very few minutes. They might even have a locksmith refferal too.
Good luck.
Hey Norman, Hopefully Sue got her locksets installed by now. This post is over a dozen years old, brought back from the past by a no-good spammer.