How to Install Exterior Handlesets

Use the template that comes with your exterior handleset to mark the areas on your door that require drilling. Different handlesets will require holes that are spaced differently, as well as holes that are of different sizes, so you will need to follow the directions for your specific model.

Drill using a hole cutter for the handle holes, if necessary. Drill from both sides of the door to eliminate any rough and splintered edges.

Insert the deadbolt latch into the top borehole on the side of the door. Look for a marking on the deadbolt to indicate which side should be up. Insert the deadbolt faceplate. Drill holes for the screws with a 1/8-inch drill bit, and secure the deadbolt faceplate with screws.

Insert the handleset latch into the lower hole, and install it in the same way that you did for the deadbolt latch.

Install the split spindle into the center of the handleset latch, in the appropriate hole.

Install the handleset on the exterior of the door by passing the two posts on the rear of the handleset through the handleset latch. Secure the handleset in place with the handleset adaptor plate and the two screws for the handleset posts.

Install the interior-side door handle. If your interior-side door handle comes with a faceplate, you will need to drill holes for the faceplate screws. Spin the interior-side knob on the spindle until it is secure. Use the appropriate screws to secure the shaft of the knob to the spindle.

Insert the cylinder assembly for the deadbolt into the outside escutcheon, or covering. Make sure that the deadbolt is extended out from the side of the door. Insert the cylinder drive bar on the exterior portion of the deadbolt through the hole on the deadbolt latch that looks like a plus sign (+). Secure it in place on the interior with the deadbolt adaptor plate and the two screws for the cylinder posts.

Install the interior deadbolt assembly by inserting the driver bar coming through the door into the appropriate slot on the interior deadbolt assembly. Secure the deadbolt assembly to the faceplate with the two appropriate screws.

Drill the two holes you will need into the door jam. As with drilling holes in the door, the location and size of these holes will depend on your specific handleset model. You should verify that holes are in the appropriate place by seeing if the latch and deadbolt line up with where you plan to drill.

Insert the dust box for the deadbolt into the doorjamb hole and close the door, making sure that the deadbolt fits. Install the doorframe reinforce plate and the two appropriate wood screws. Install the strike plate on top of that, with the two appropriate screws.

Install the strike plate for the handle latch in the same way as you did for the deadbolt latch.