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How to Install Garage Door Lock? – 5 Steps with Pictures

Fact checked by Teddy B.Miller

how to install garage door lock

In this day and age, where robbers and thieves do not pick a time to rob a house, security is of utmost importance when you want to protect the people and things you love. Some of the entryways of your house might need to be more secure, including your garage door.

Most of the time, your garage is connected to the rest of your house, and because of this, you might want to install a DIY garage door lock. A garage door lock will secure your house from outside.

In this article, I will show you how to install garage door lock in simple and easy steps.

Ways to Install Garage Door Lock

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Before diving into the actual part of garage door lock installation, you might want to prepare the necessary materials to do it first. Here are the things you should prepare:

  • Garage door lock set – Garage door lock sets can be bought in your local hardware. It can come in various shapes, sizes, and functions, so you have to choose the door lock set that is right for you.
  • Screws – Get the number of screws that you want to put your door lock in place. The usual number of screws can vary from one door lock to another, and ranges from 2 – 8 screws.
  • Screwdriver
  • Punch nail
  • Hammer
  • Drill
  • Marker

After preparing your materials, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Locate the lowest bar slot.

On the side of your garage door, you will see slots where you can insert your garage door lock bar. Find the lowest you can put your door lock.

  • Note: if you put your garage door lock on a slot other than the lowest one, your garage door can be opened slightly, making space below the garage door.

Step 2: Insert the door lock.

After locating the lowest slot, insert the locking mechanism for garage door lock. Make sure the body of the door lock is flushed to the garage door.

  • Note: make sure that your door lock is slightly margined from the edge of the garage door so that when you open the garage, the door lock will not accidentally hit the garage door.

Step 3: Mark the screw holes.

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While holding your garage door lock mechanism in place, mark the screw holes that you will be drilling later. It is up to you how many screws you want as long as it is sufficient to put the garage door lock in place.

Step 4: Drill the screw holes.

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Put your drill at the highest speed and drill unto the screw holes.

Step 5: Screw the door lock.

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After drilling into the screw holes, take your garage door locking mechanism and put it in place with respect to the screw holes. Screw and secure your door lock with your screwdriver.

Step 6: Try locking and unlocking.

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Practice locking and unlocking your door lock, making sure that the garage door goes all the way down when locking it and goes all the way up when unlocking it.

It is also important to know that you can also do an installation for an outside garage door lock, especially when you have kids that play in your garage. They might accidentally unlock your garage door from the inside.

FAQs

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How much does it cost to install a lock on a garage door?

In the USA, a garage door lock installation costs from $ 228 to $481 for a single garage door. The cost for the installation includes the local material and the logistics, door lock installation and preparation, and labor.

However, this cost might go down if you can do the installation yourself. Labor can add up to the installation cost, and since you are going to do it yourself, you might save a couple of dollars.

How do you replace an old garage door lock?

Having an old garage door lock might become a hassle. The door lock might get sticky or the door lock becomes rusted enough that it cannot be opened even with enough force.

If you want to change a garage door lock barrel without key, follow these simple steps:

  • Locate the fasteners. Start from the inside part of the garage door lock and locate the fasteners.
  • Remove the fasteners. With the appropriate screwdriver, remove the screws from the door lock.

Note: Remove the fasteners or screws that hold the outside garage door knob. If you’re unsure about what screws hold in place, you might want to check the mechanism diagram of your door lock.

  • Remove the lock. From the front of your garage door, remove the latch for garage door.
  • Replace the door lock. To do a garage door handle installation, take your new door lock and insert it through the holes where your old door lock was.

Note: if you install T-handle on your garage door, make sure that it has the same mechanism as your old door lock to avoid drilling other holes.

  • Fasten the door lock. Go back to the other side of the garage door and replace garage door latch cable. Insert back the screws that you removed earlier.

What is the best way to lock a garage door?

There are three ways to lock a garage door. These are locking the release lever of your garage door using a zip tie, installing a door lock, or locking the garage door tracks with a C-clamp or a padlock.

The best way to lock your garage door is through a door lock. You can have a manual garage door lock or an automatic garage door lock. Both of which vary in price, function, and installation time so choose the right door lock for you.

Read more:

Conclusion

Having a garage door locking system will ensure safety for your garage, your family, and your valuables inside your home. Your safe and secure home will wash your anxiety and worries away.

Therefore, knowing how to install garage door lock will save you a lot of money. Calling a locksmith to either install or replace garage door lock would only take time and become very expensive.

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