Lock Installation in Washington, DC
Lock Installation DC
Lock installation in Washington, DC starts with the door itself. Whether you have a new door with no hardware yet or a door that only has a knob, a lock is only as strong as its installation. A bolt that does not fully extend, a strike screwed into thin trim, or a lock that binds whenever the door swells all weaken a door that should be secure.
The Locksmith DC Company installs new locks for homes and businesses across Washington, DC. We prepare the door, fit the hardware, align the bolt and strike, and test everything with the door closed before we leave.
This page covers new installations. To swap out an existing lock, see lock change and replacement. For keyless entry, see smart lock installation, and for pick- and drill-resistant cylinders, see high-security locks.
Installation Options
Locks We Install
From a single deadbolt to hardware for a whole suite of offices, these are the installations we handle most often.
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How We Install a Lock
In practice, good lock installation is mostly preparation and alignment. A carefully fitted lock works smoothly for years, while a lock forced into a door starts dragging within months.
Door Preparation and Fitting
- Measure the door thickness, backset and edge to confirm the lock will fit
- Bore the cross hole and edge hole, or finish an existing preparation
- Recess the latch faceplate and strike so they sit flush
- Secure the strike with longer screws that reach the frame where the door allows
- Align the bolt so it extends fully into the strike without binding
- Test the lock from both sides with the door closed
Choosing Compatible Hardware
Before we install anything, we check what the door can take. Door thickness, backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the lock), the door material and the way the frame is built all limit which locks will fit. Older DC doors often have non-standard measurements, and metal commercial doors usually come prepared for one specific type of lock.
We also make sure new hardware works with what is already there. We can often key a new deadbolt to match your existing locks so you carry one key, and a lever lock on a commercial door has to suit any closer or exit device on the same door.
Lock Brands We Install
For homes, we install Schlage, Kwikset, Yale and Baldwin locks and deadbolts. For businesses, we install commercial hardware from Schlage, Yale, Corbin Russwin and Sargent, exit devices from Von Duprin and Detex, and LCN door closers. Our smart lock page covers keypad and app-controlled locks, and our high-security page covers Medeco and Mul-T-Lock cylinders.
Lock Installation in Washington, DC
DC homes range from rowhouses in Columbia Heights and Capitol Hill to newer condo buildings in NoMa and Navy Yard. Older rowhouse doors are often thick solid wood, sometimes with original mortise preparation, so a standard deadbolt may need a different backset or a careful bore to avoid weakening the door. We account for that before drilling.
Likewise, back and alley doors are common places to add a deadbolt or a second lock, since they are out of view from the street. Renters and condo owners should check their lease or building rules first, as some buildings require specific hardware on unit doors.
For businesses, we also install locks on new tenant spaces, office suites, storage rooms and back-of-house doors. If several people need different levels of access, we can set up new locks as part of a master key system. See our commercial locksmith services for more.
How Much Does Lock Installation Cost in DC?
The cost of lock installation depends on the hardware, whether the door is already prepared or needs to be bored, the door material, how many locks you are adding and whether you supply the lock yourself. Adding a deadbolt to a wood door with no existing hole takes more work than fitting a lock into a pre-drilled door, and metal commercial doors take more again.
Either way, we quote the full job, including parts, before any work begins. Starting prices for common services are in our DC locksmith cost guide.
Why Choose The Locksmith DC Company for Lock Installation
- Licensed, bonded and insured locksmiths serving all four DC quadrants
- Doors prepared and aligned so new locks work smoothly from day one
- Residential and commercial hardware from brands we install regularly
- A clear quote including parts before any work begins
- Open every day from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with online booking
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If the door has no lock preparation, we measure it, bore the holes for the lock and latch, recess the faceplate and strike, and fit the hardware. If the door came pre-bored, we confirm the measurements and install a lock that matches them.
In most cases, yes. We check the door thickness and the space above the knob, then drill and fit the deadbolt so it lines up with the frame. A deadbolt adds a solid bolt that a spring latch alone cannot match.
First, measure the door thickness and the backset, which is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the hole. Most residential locks are made for a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset and standard door thickness. If your door is thicker or older, call us before buying so we can confirm what will fit.
Often, yes. If the new lock uses the same keyway as your existing locks, we can usually key it to match them so one key opens every door. If the keyways are different, we can talk through rekeying the other locks to match.
Yes. We install mortise and cylindrical locks, storefront cylinders, exit devices and door closers on commercial doors. Metal doors usually come prepared for a specific type of lock, so we confirm the preparation before recommending hardware.
It depends on how you use the door. A standard deadbolt is simple and needs no batteries, while a smart lock adds keypad or app access. We install both, and our smart lock installation page explains the options in more detail.
Related Locksmith Services
- Smart Lock Installation for keypad and app-controlled entry
- High-Security Locks for pick- and drill-resistant cylinders
- Lock Change & Replacement to swap out an existing lock
- Lock Rekeying to make your other locks match a new key
- Lock Repair for locks that stick, jam or will not latch
- Residential Locksmith Services for every lock and key need at home
- Commercial Locksmith Services for offices, shops and buildings
Customer Reviews
Ready to install a new lock in Washington, DC?
Call The Locksmith DC Company or book online. We are open every day from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Our Services
Business hours
Every day, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
The Locksmith DC Company, Washington DC
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