Is It Possible To Add A Deadbolt To An External Gate?

A deadbolt is a type of lock that doesn’t require a strike plate as it is swung with the bolt retracted and advanced into the hole using the key. It can be installed on both inside and outside wooden garden gates, but it is not recommended for internal installation in wooden garden gates. To install a deadbolt, bore a 2-1/8″ diameter hole through the gate, with the centerpoint at 2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″ from the edge.

A deadbolt can be placed anywhere, just below the knob instead of above. However, it is important to consider the safety of your home and research different external gate lock options before making a decision. Deadbolts can be installed in doorknob locations, but shimming may be necessary if there is too much room between the door and jamb. Modifying the door strike plate and hole behind to fit the bolt is standard.

Using a deadbolt to lock your gate can be done by following step-by-step instructions, which may include adding an additional metal plate or timber fixing point, partially cutting away some of the frame, and adjusting the door strike plate and hole to fit the bolt. Planning is crucial when installing a deadbolt, as several factors can make it nearly impossible.

In summary, installing a deadbolt lock on all exterior doors can significantly improve the safety of your entryways without breaking the bank. With the right tools and research, you can complete a deadbolt lock installation on all exterior doors and enhance your home’s security.


📹 How to Bore Holes for Deadbolt, Doorknob and Latch Install | Metal or Wood Door

In this video, I cut a door knob hole in a steel door for a new deadbolt. This hole cutting method can work both for metal and wood …


📹 Deadbolt Installation on Metal Door

Complete guide to installing a deadbolt on a metal door. Irwin Deadbolt Kit: https://amzn.to/2m1kihq.


Is It Possible To Add A Deadbolt To An External Gate?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Rafaela Priori Gutler

Hi, I’m Rafaela Priori Gutler, a passionate interior designer and DIY enthusiast. I love transforming spaces into beautiful, functional havens through creative decor and practical advice. Whether it’s a small DIY project or a full home makeover, I’m here to share my tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you design the space of your dreams. Let’s make your home as unique as you are!

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5 comments

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  • Be careful on some steel doors the wood is only near the location of the handle. If you go too high with the deadbolt you’ll encounter foam directly behind the steel therefore have nothing to screw into when you route out the notch on the door edge. The location he installs it should be ok on almost all steel doors but up a few inches higher And you may encounter this problem as I did recently.

  • Nice article. You had no issues drilling straight through the door for the knob such as coming through on the other side? I know on wood doors I have to only drill half way through otherwise if I break through to the other side it will chip and look awful, so I’ll go half way through then flip the door over and drill through on the other side.

  • Awesome Guide, worked well with the kit too. Only difference with mine was it was a steel door with wood interior, so the routing part does not work with steel. I had to “magiver” that section with some drill holes, a diamond bit rotary tool, and a chisel. Took some work but the job still got done. Thanks for the help on the article!

  • Great article. Thanks… I have residential fire rated door. Metal door with Styrofoam like material between metal sheets. My locksmith said it is not hollow metal door ?? I bought Schlage B660 deadbolt and he can’t use squeeze play to install Schlage latch bolt. He put in a round drive in latch bolt. Is there any way to install my original latch with rectangular phase plate. There is not enough clearance between door edge and frame. Thanks again.

  • On my exterior metal door i broke the new 1/4 drill bit. I started slow but the hole saw wobbled. I had used the plastic template on as shown. I tryed again with a new 1/4 bit. But it wobbled again i tryed to go in reverse. It worked good. All the way threw. When cuting metal roofs i reverse the blade. I called 3 lumber yards all have a different idea. One guy said i need a diamond grit hole saw.

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