Install - Kwikset Electronic Deadbolt w/ Schlage Handles

[studdedrooster]

Hello all,

Thanks in advance for your help.

We have a pretty old back door, with, I guess, a weird lock setup. As you'll see in the following pictures, we've added flimsy plastic adapters to the door knobs so that my dad, who is a quadriplegic, can open and close the door by himself. However, these adapters aren't really getting the job done. After about ten years, they have started to crack, and the grip they have (via screws) on the door knobs are slipping, making it difficult for any of us to operate the door. So, we're hoping to install a more durable, more efficient system.

View from outside: http://i.imgur.com/PGdCabi.jpg
View from inside: http://i.imgur.com/m5ovvL5.jpg
Side view: http://i.imgur.com/Y74Gbay.jpg

We got him a Kwikset Electronic Deadbolt for Christmas a couple of years ago, but we can't seem to figure out how to replace our existing set up with the new one. We've had one locksmith tell us that it's impossible, and another that told us it's a long job (complicated/expensive). I guess it has something to do with the unusual shape and configuration of our existing, outdated lock and door knobs.
Anyway, here are pictures of the packaging of the deadbolt and the door handles we purchased.

Front of deadbolt package: http://i.imgur.com/9uqv5n6.jpg
Back of deadbolt package: http://i.imgur.com/6UnwVEl.jpg
Front of door handle package: http://i.imgur.com/a1Kqu7g.jpg
Back of door handle package: http://i.imgur.com/n7LnQXu.jpg

Any advice you can provide would be great. First and foremost, I'd like to know if the replacement is possible with the parts we've already purchased. Alternatively, if replacement is not possible with the parts we've purchased, it would be great if you could offer some suggestions for other possibilities. Please do keep in mind that my father has limited use of his hands (he can't grip things tightly, but he can poke or slap, i.e. enter a pass-code and push down on a door handle [not knob]).

Thanks again for any help you can provide.

[billdeserthills]

What I do is take a Don Jo CV86 Mortise Cut-Out Conversion Plate-That covers the cut out on the side of the door, after you remove the mortise lock. It has a cut out in it's middle that accepts your Schlage latch. Then I cover the inside and outside door holes up with a push-plate on each side. You could also use the Kwikset 215 3 Modernization kit, it comes with everything you need to cover the inside, outside and door edge. Anyhow with the Kwikset kit you already have the holes cut in the plate, you just need to drill the holes in the door. The last one of these jobs I did, I charged $350 and it took me the better part of an hour to do, which was pretty good money for that job. It doesn't sound like the locksmith you spoke with has done this type of work before

[jimu57]

You can get the kwikset 215 3 mod kit on Amazon for about $28.

[studdedrooster]

Thank you both for you responses, and sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I agree, @billdeserthills, I don't think the locksmith's we've talked to have done jobs like this before either. It would explain why they were so vague when describing the difficulties of the job...

A quick question about the Kwikset mod it - is this it? https://www.amazon.com/Kwikset-215-MOD- ... B0002YUOUK

My dad said he read somewhere that the use of this mod kit isn't recommended for outdoor doors, just indoor. Do you agree?

Thanks again. Appreciate the help.

[cledry]

I would use the Don Jo CV 8624 and then drill stainless plates to match. The CV 8624 has dual hole prepped so you just match these on the plates and drill the door accordingly.

[billdeserthills]

Thank you both for you responses, and sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I agree, @billdeserthills, I don't think the locksmith's we've talked to have done jobs like this before either. It would explain why they were so vague when describing the difficulties of the job...

A quick question about the Kwikset mod it - is this it? https://www.amazon.com/Kwikset-215-MOD- ... B0002YUOUK

My dad said he read somewhere that the use of this mod kit isn't recommended for outdoor doors, just indoor. Do you agree?

Thanks again. Appreciate the help.

The Kwikset mod is likely going to quickly tarnish and become ugly looking outside,
other than that it would work fine

Cledry has a point about using the DonJo CV 8624 adapter plate, but I don't like mounting the deadbolt
and the knob that close together, I think it makes it easier to kick the door open when both locks are so close together

[cledry]

Thank you both for you responses, and sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I agree, @billdeserthills, I don't think the locksmith's we've talked to have done jobs like this before either. It would explain why they were so vague when describing the difficulties of the job...

A quick question about the Kwikset mod it - is this it? https://www.amazon.com/Kwikset-215-MOD- ... B0002YUOUK

My dad said he read somewhere that the use of this mod kit isn't recommended for outdoor doors, just indoor. Do you agree?

Thanks again. Appreciate the help.

The Kwikset mod is likely going to quickly tarnish and become ugly looking outside,
other than that it would work fine

Cledry has a point about using the DonJo CV 8624 adapter plate, but I don't like mounting the deadbolt
and the knob that close together, I think it makes it easier to kick the door open when both locks are so close together

I don't think the knob adds much protection from forced attack. The center to center is a standard. So it corresponds to things like security strikes etc.

[billdeserthills]

Thank you both for you responses, and sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I agree, @billdeserthills, I don't think the locksmith's we've talked to have done jobs like this before either. It would explain why they were so vague when describing the difficulties of the job...

A quick question about the Kwikset mod it - is this it? https://www.amazon.com/Kwikset-215-MOD- ... B0002YUOUK

My dad said he read somewhere that the use of this mod kit isn't recommended for outdoor doors, just indoor. Do you agree?

Thanks again. Appreciate the help.

The Kwikset mod is likely going to quickly tarnish and become ugly looking outside,
other than that it would work fine

Cledry has a point about using the DonJo CV 8624 adapter plate, but I don't like mounting the deadbolt
and the knob that close together, I think it makes it easier to kick the door open when both locks are so close together

I don't think the knob adds much protection from forced attack. The center to center is a standard. So it corresponds to things like security strikes etc.

That won't stop me from installing deadbolts a foot (or more) above the knob
in my attempt to strengthen the door frame on jobs I do

[cledry]

That won't stop me from installing deadbolts a foot (or more) above the knob
in my attempt to strengthen the door frame on jobs I do

That, I do not doubt.

One thing to consider though. Many doors are only reinforced at the standard center to center. So going outside that is actually weakening the door.

[billdeserthills]

That won't stop me from installing deadbolts a foot (or more) above the knob
in my attempt to strengthen the door frame on jobs I do

That, I do not doubt.

One thing to consider though. Many doors are only reinforced at the standard center to center. So going outside that is actually weakening the door.

Here in Arizona responsible homeowners do not use interior hollow doors on the exterior of their homes

[Ralph_Goodman]

Here in Arizona responsible homeowners do not use interior hollow doors on the exterior of their homes

I don't think you can be a responsible homeowner anywhere and have a hollow core door for exterior entry points. It doesn't matter how good your locks are if someone can break through the door itself with ease.

[billdeserthills]

Here in Arizona responsible homeowners do not use interior hollow doors on the exterior of their homes

I don't think you can be a responsible homeowner anywhere and have a hollow core door for exterior entry points. It doesn't matter how good your locks are if someone can break through the door itself with ease.

In that case I have seen a few irresponsible home owners but I haven't installed any locks for them

[cledry]

Well in Florida there are plenty of homes and businesses with hollow steel doors and hollow fiberglass doors on the exterior. In fact I have never seen a solid core steel door. If they exist in Arizona or wherever then I would be quite surprised. Hollow steel doors are reinforced only in a very limited area of the door, the intended place to put the lock(s).

A solid wood door you can put the lock at any height on a residence, but not on a commercial property. So I guess if you are under the assumption that the door knob adds a lot of physical security then it makes sense to place the deadbolt higher than standard, I contend the knob adds virtually nothing in the way of physical strength.

[billdeserthills]

There are many different doorknobs out there. I'd like to think there is an obvious difference
between a grade 3 and even a grade 2 or a grade one latch--and strength is one big difference


When I install an extra deadbolt or t-turn I like to think my clients are 'buying time'--
that is trying to keep an intruder out for as long as possible and I try to give them that as best I can

I actually prefer doing less lock calls and doing a better job on those fewer calls and I know I can
make enough money to get by on and feel like I did as best as I could--It ain't all about money to me
Much of my work in the last few weeks has been referrals from folks I can't even remember, but I left
enough of an impression on them that they referred me to their friends & business acquaintances & that says it all, to me

[cledry]

There are many different doorknobs out there. I'd like to think there is an obvious difference
between a grade 3 and even a grade 2 or a grade one latch--and strength is one big difference


When I install an extra deadbolt or t-turn I like to think my clients are 'buying time'--
that is trying to keep an intruder out for as long as possible and I try to give them that as best I can

I actually prefer doing less lock calls and doing a better job on those fewer calls and I know I can
make enough money to get by on and feel like I did as best as I could--It ain't all about money to me
Much of my work in the last few weeks has been referrals from folks I can't even remember, but I left
enough of an impression on them that they referred me to their friends & business acquaintances & that says it all, to me

Now you have changed the topic a bit, you are talking about adding another deadbolt to a door with a deadbolt already installed. The OP was talking about a different situation with a different answer required.

Unless you are installing true grade 1 knobs then I doubt there is much difference between a Kwikset, Schlage, Defiant latch in terms of physical strength. By true grade 1, I mean a commercial lock with the 3/4" throw. Most 2 3/8" versions of these latches are really modified grade 2 latches. Grade 1 knobs don't come cheap, in fact they cost more than levers because nobody uses them much these days.

Kudos to you for doing the right thing and working for less money, it is very admirable of you.