Deadbolt Installation in Milwaukee
Locksmith Milwaukee Now installs deadbolts on house and apartment doors in Milwaukee and about 30 miles around it, on doors that have none and in place of weak ones. Deadbolt installation starts at $119. We work 24/7, every day of the year. Call or text us with the address and a photo of the door.
Why an outside door needs a deadbolt
A knob lock holds the door with a spring latch. It keeps the door closed, but it is not built to resist force. A deadbolt throws a solid bolt into the frame and stays locked until the key or the thumb turn moves it. That is why many outside doors in Milwaukee have both: the knob for everyday latching and the deadbolt for locking up. On a door that already has the holes, a deadbolt usually takes 15 to 30 minutes; drilling a door that has none takes about an hour.
A new deadbolt on a door without one
Many back doors, side doors, and doors between the garage and the house have only a knob lock. We drill the door for a new deadbolt, cut the frame for the bolt, and fit the strike. Residential doors in the U.S. use standard sizes: a 2-1/8 inch hole through the face of the door and a 1-inch hole in the edge, with the center of the face hole 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches from the edge. A door that already has those holes takes a deadbolt that matches them.
Single cylinder or double cylinder
A single-cylinder deadbolt has a key outside and a thumb turn inside. A double-cylinder deadbolt needs a key on both sides. It keeps a door with glass from being opened by reaching through to the thumb turn, but it also means you need the key to get out. For doors your family uses to leave the house, we suggest a single cylinder, and we talk through each door with you on site.
The frame matters as much as the deadbolt
A deadbolt is only as strong as the wood it locks into. We set the strike plate with long screws that reach the wall framing behind the door jamb, so the bolt holds in the structure of the house. On older Milwaukee houses with soft or patched jambs, this part of the job is where most of the strength comes from.
Which deadbolt to choose
For an outside door we suggest at least an ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 deadbolt; Grade 1 is the strongest rating and is common on commercial doors. Our answer on deadbolt grades explains the tests behind each grade. We work with Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, and other common brands. If you want a code instead of a key, a keypad or smart deadbolt goes in the same holes.
How a deadbolt installation goes
- Send a photo of the doorText us or call with the address and a photo of the door edge and the frame.
- Proof of addressA photo ID and a lease, a utility bill, or a deed. That way nobody else can put a lock on your door.
- We drill and fitWe bore the door, cut the frame for the bolt, and set the strike with long screws.
- Test from both sidesWe lock and unlock it with you from inside and outside and check that the bolt goes all the way into the frame.
Deadbolt installation prices in Milwaukee
| Deadbolt installation | from $119 |
|---|---|
| Lock change | from $99 |
| Rekey, first lock | from $59 |
| Rekey, each additional lock | from $20 |
The starting price is for a standard residential door, wood or steel. A thick door, a metal frame, or a door with glass close to the lock may need different work, and we confirm the price on site after we look at it.
One key for the deadbolt and the rest of the house
A new deadbolt can be keyed to the key you already use for the front door, so you do not add a key to the ring. If the other locks come from a different brand, we can rekey or change them on the same visit so one key opens them all.
Cities we serve around Milwaukee
Milwaukee and about 30 miles around it: Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, Ozaukee County, Washington County, and Racine County.
Questions about deadbolt installation in Milwaukee
How much does it cost to install a deadbolt?
From $119 on a standard door. The final price depends on the door and the deadbolt, and we confirm it on site.
Can you put a deadbolt on a steel door?
Yes. We drill steel doors with bits made for metal, and we confirm the price on site.
Can the new deadbolt use my house key?
Yes, in many cases we key it to your existing key.
Is a double-cylinder deadbolt safer?
It stops someone from reaching through glass to the thumb turn, but you need a key to get out. We help you choose what fits each door.
How long does it take to install a deadbolt?
About 15 to 30 minutes on a door that already has the holes, and about an hour when we drill a new door.