Deadbolt Installation in DFW: The Security Upgrade Every Door Needs

Why a Knob Lock Isn't Enough

A standard knob lock has a small latch bolt that extends less than an inch into the door frame. It's held in place by a thin strike plate attached to the door trim — not the structural frame. A firm kick or a pry bar can defeat it in seconds.

A deadbolt, by contrast, extends a solid steel bolt one inch or more into the door frame. When installed with a reinforced strike plate and long screws that anchor into the structural frame, it's resistant to kicking, prying, and most forced-entry attempts. It's the single most effective home security upgrade you can make.

Types of Deadbolts

There are two main types — the right one depends on your door:

• Single-cylinder deadbolt — keyed on the outside, thumb-turn on the inside. The standard choice for most exterior doors. Easy to use from inside, secure from outside
• Double-cylinder deadbolt — keyed on both sides. Used for doors with glass panels (so a burglar can't break the glass and reach in to turn the thumb-turn). Requires a key to exit, which is a fire safety consideration
• For most doors: single-cylinder. For doors with glass within arm's reach of the lock: double-cylinder (but keep a key nearby for emergencies)

What Good Deadbolt Installation Involves

A proper installation is more than just drilling a hole. Here's what we do:

• We drill the correct-size hole for the deadbolt body and the bolt opening
• We chisel the strike plate mortise into the door frame for a flush fit
• We install a reinforced strike plate (not the flimsy one that comes with most deadbolts)
• We use 3-inch screws that anchor the strike plate into the structural frame, not just the trim
• We test the bolt extends fully and engages smoothly with the strike plate
• We verify the deadbolt aligns with the existing knob lock for clean operation
• Total time: 30-45 minutes per deadbolt

Why the Strike Plate Matters

The strike plate is the metal plate on the door frame that the deadbolt slides into. Most deadbolts come with a thin strike plate and short screws (less than an inch) that only anchor into the door trim — not the structural frame behind it.

We replace these with a reinforced strike plate and 3-inch screws that anchor directly into the wall stud. This is what makes the deadbolt actually resistant to kick-ins — without it, a kick can split the trim and dislodge the bolt, even with a good deadbolt.

What Deadbolt Installation Costs in DFW

2026 pricing:

• Standard deadbolt installation (hardware + labor): $120-$180 per door
• High-security deadbolt (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock): $200-$350 per door
• Reinforced strike plate upgrade: included with installation
• Keying the deadbolt to match your existing door key: $15-$25 additional
• Smart deadbolt installation (August, Yale, Schlage): $150-$250 (hardware not included)

Which Deadbolt Should You Buy?

For standard residential use, we recommend:

• Schlage B560 or Kwikset 660 — good quality, affordable, widely available
• Medeco or Mul-T-Lock — high-security, pick-resistant, drill-resistant. Best for high-risk areas
• August, Yale, or Schlage Encode — smart deadbolts with app control, keypad, or fingerprint
• Ask us — we can recommend the best deadbolt for your door type and security needs
• We can supply the hardware or install one you've purchased