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After upgrading our front door for under $500.00, it is time for another door upgrade. This DIY project is about changing the front door lock set. It is a simple upgrade yet one that makes a significant aesthetic difference in upgrading your home.
Before getting into changing the front door lock set, go out shopping for the best kind for your home. Once you have purchased a lock set that suits you, we can begin the process of changing our locks. This is something we should have done right away after moving in but did not.
Tools Required
Pencil, measuring tape, flat metal file, flat screw driver, Phillips screw driver, cordless drill and a 3/8” metal drill bit.
How Can You Change Your Front Door Lock Set?
Step 1: Preparation
Begin by gathering the tools that you need. Disassemble and remove the deadbolt and old handle lock set. Take some wood toothpicks and fill up the screw holes in the edge of the door where the latch and the deadbolt attach and come through so that the new mounting hardware has something solid to bite into.
In the case of this specific door lock set handle it was necessary to drill a 3/8″ hole through the door where the bottom of the handle attaches. Your new front door lock set comes with a template so you can mark out this hole and drill.
Step 2: Install The Deadbolt Lock Set
Open up your new lock set and start by installing the new dead bolt lock set. Follow the instructions that come with your package. Some require that the tongue be extended, others need it to be retracted.
Step 3: Install The Handle Portion Of The Lock Set
When tightening everything down make sure that the mechanism engages properly for the deadbolt and the door latch.
The Benefit Of Changing Your Lock Sets
After upgrading your front door, it is better to install a new front door lock set as well because of the curb appeal. It looks like a proper door and lock set upgrade when they are done together. An old lock set will stand out but not in a good way. It is also for your security to change the locks up.
If you have moved into a new home and are using old locks, you do not know if the previous owners still have those keys. They could also have given their house keys to other family members. It is for your safety to change the locks.
Cost Of DIY Upgrading Door and Lock Set
A brand new door does not come with a new lock set. It is a separate purchase that ranges between $80.00 and $400.00. In my case, both the price of the glass insert for the door and lockset came to less than $500.00. The lockset I purchased was on sale for $70.00 plus tax.
Summary
This DIY upgrade, including the glass insert and the new front door lock set was under $500.00. We saved approximately $1500.00-$2000.00 on a new front door and lock set. If you have a functional front door that seals properly and is not out of alignment, it can be easily updated. Check out some more cost effective DIY home upgrades that yield a high ROI.
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April 14, 2023
Green Thumb
I am the founder of Everything Handmade. I am on a mission to help others become self-sufficient with their hands, sharing DIY home renovations, gardening vegetables in the city, cooking our own meals and building our foundation in times of economic instability.
I am also the author of an Authentic Homemade Vegetarian Cookbook. This book is to help inspire readers to cook delicious vegetarian meals at a low cost.
