Deadbolt Installation Toronto: Adding or Upgrading a Deadbolt the Right Way (2026)
A deadbolt is only as strong as the way it is installed. A good lock fitted with a short bolt, a thin strike plate and 2 cm screws can still be kicked open in seconds. We install and replace deadbolts on front doors, side doors, back doors and commercial doors across Toronto and the GTA, with a reinforced strike and long screws into the framing so the lock actually holds.
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Tell us the door (front, side, back, commercial), whether it already has a deadbolt and if you want it keyed the same as your other locks.
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Why Installation Matters More Than the Brand
Most deadbolts fail at the frame.
When a door with a deadbolt is kicked in, the bolt itself rarely breaks. What fails is the frame around it. A standard strike plate is held by two short screws into the soft trim of the door jamb, and a firm kick splits that trim away. The lock stays locked, but the door opens anyway.
A proper installation fixes that. The bolt should throw a full 2.5 cm into the frame. The strike plate should be a heavy security strike held with long screws that reach the wall stud behind the jamb. The lock should sit square in the door so the bolt slides freely and isn't half-thrown. Done this way, an ordinary residential door becomes much harder to force.
We also check the door itself. A deadbolt in a door that is split around the lock, or in a frame that is loose or rotted, needs that fixed first. See door frame repair.
Reinforced every time
Security strike and long screws into the stud, not just the lock.
Keyed to suit
New deadbolts keyed alike with your other locks so one key does it.
Same day
Most deadbolt installations are done the same day, 24/7 for emergencies.
Deadbolt Jobs We Do
The calls we get most.
New deadbolt on a door without one
Many side, back and basement doors only have a knob lock.
Deadbolt hard to turn
The bolt rubs on the strike because the door has dropped, or the lock is worn.
Upgrade after a break-in
The old lock was damaged or the frame split.
Smart deadbolt
Keypad or app-controlled deadbolt on an existing door.
Multi-point or special locks
Doors with multi-point locks or European cylinders.
Commercial door deadbolt
Back and side doors of shops and offices.
Need the lock changed today?
Moved in, lost a key, or had a break-in? Call 647-951-3510. Same-day service across Toronto and the GTA.
Choosing a Deadbolt
What actually makes a difference.
Grade
Deadbolts are graded under the ANSI/BHMA standard. Grade 1 is the toughest and is used on commercial doors; Grade 2 is a solid choice for most homes. See door hardware grades explained.
Single or double cylinder
A single cylinder deadbolt has a key outside and a thumb-turn inside. A double cylinder needs a key on both sides. Thumb-turns are safer in a fire because anyone inside can get out without looking for a key, so they are the right choice for most homes.
Keyed alike
New deadbolts can be keyed to match your existing locks so one key opens the front, side and back doors. See rekeying and master key systems.
Smart deadbolts
Keypad and app locks are convenient, but they still need a good strike and correct alignment. A smart lock on a weak frame is no stronger than any other lock.
How We Install a Deadbolt
What a proper job includes.
1. Check the door and frame
Door thickness, backset, the frame and any old holes.
2. Bore or fit the door
New holes cut cleanly, or the old ones used and patched if needed.
3. Install the lock
The deadbolt is fitted square so the bolt slides freely.
4. Reinforce the strike
A security strike with long screws into the wall stud.
5. Align and test
The bolt throws fully and turns with no force, door open or closed.
6. Keys
Keys checked, and keyed alike with other locks if requested.
Simple Ways to Make Any Door Stronger
Beyond the deadbolt.
- Long screws in the hinges. One long screw per hinge into the stud.
- A reinforced strike. The single biggest improvement for most doors.
- Door edge reinforcement. Plates around the lock stop the door splitting.
- Don't leave keys in the door's glass reach. A thumb-turn near glass can be reached through a broken pane.
- Rekey when you move in. You don't know who has copies of the old keys.
- See also door reinforcement and front door security upgrades.
What Affects the Cost
We quote before work starts.
- New install or replacement. A new deadbolt needs the door bored; a replacement uses the existing holes.
- The lock. Grade, brand, keyed or smart lock.
- Strike and reinforcement. Security strike and reinforcement plates.
- Keying. Keyed alike with other locks, extra keys.
- Door condition. Frame or door repairs needed first.
See the residential door repair cost guide.
Related Services
Often done in the same visit.
Deadbolt Installation FAQ
Questions people ask.
Can you add a deadbolt to a door that doesn't have one?
Yes. We bore the door, install the deadbolt and fit a security strike in the frame.
How long does it take?
Usually under an hour per door, longer if the frame needs repair first.
Can my new deadbolt use the same key as my other locks?
Yes. We can key it alike with your existing locks.
Single or double cylinder?
For most homes, a single cylinder with a thumb-turn inside, so anyone can get out quickly in an emergency.
Why is my deadbolt hard to lock?
Usually the bolt is rubbing on the strike because the door has dropped. Adjusting the strike or hinges fixes it.
Do you install smart deadbolts?
Yes, including ones you have already bought, as long as they fit the door.
Do you install deadbolts on commercial doors?
Yes, commercial-grade deadbolts on shop, office and back doors, keeping exit requirements in mind.
Can I send a photo of my door first?
Yes. WhatsApp 647-866-0956.
More Guides
Related help from our team.
Lock Change Across the GTA
Local pages near you.
A deadbolt that actually holds
Deadbolt installation and replacement with reinforced strikes across Toronto and the GTA. Licensed, insured, same-day.
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