How To Fit a Cylinder Night Latch

One of the worst possible nightmares of any family man is to suddenly wake up and see an intruder in your house. The security of your home is very important. It is bad enough to get robbed but it is really scary to think that something might happen to your family. We do not want to risk the safety of our family no matter what.

You can install an alarm system but it could be very expensive. You can also bring a guard dog into the fold but maybe you don't have the time to care for a dog properly. The most effective way to deter a burglar is to prevent them from entering your home. That is where fitting a cylinder night latch comes in.

After you finish reading this guide, you will learn how to fit a cylinder night latch. This cylinder night latch is a lock that automatically locks when the door closes. When you fit a cylinder night latch, you will no longer leave your house unlocked by accident.

1. Get all the things you need.  You will need some tools and a cylinder night latch to be able to fit a cylinder night latch. You can go to any hardware store and buy a night latch. If you are not sure what to buy, you can always ask your friendly neighborhood sales associate in the hardware store. You will also need a drill, a flat drill bit, a tape measure, a chisel and broom and dustpan to clean the area up, after you are done.
2. Measure and mark it. Measure where you want to fit a cylinder night latch. Get a tape measure and place it about a foot above the door knob. Mark the height on both sides of the door. Once you have the height, mark two and a half inches from the edge of the door. This is where you will perform the next step.
3. Make a big hole. Start by reading the instructions to find out the right size drill bit to use. The instructions are important because if the hole is too big, the cylinder may go through the hole. If the drilled hole is too small, the cylinder might not turn properly. Make sure that the drill is straight when you drill a hole into the door. On the mark you made, drill halfway through the door. Once you get halfway through, drill at the other side of the door. Insert the cylinder to check if it can turn around comfortably.
4. Attach the cylinder lock. Put on the cylinder lock and attach it using the mounting plate at the indoor side of the door.
5. Attach the lock body. To fit a cylinder night latch lock body, the first thing you need to do is mark the area where you will fit the cylinder night latch. Draw around the protruding edge of the lock body. Chisel out a recess for the edge of the lock body. Test the fit and see if the lock body fits well. When it is a good mount, then fit a cylinder night latch body into place by screwing it into place.
6. Attach the staple. Start by closing the door and mark where the lock corresponds to the doorframe. This is where you will fit a cylinder night latch staple. This part catches the door lock. Open the door again and work on attaching the staple into the doorframe. Start by marking the edge of the staple inside the doorframe. Create a recess by chiseling the doorframe to make the plate flush against the doorframe. Screw the door plate into place.

This DIY project is an easy way to increase the security in your home. It is relatively easy to fit a cylinder night latch but you should still be happy of your accomplishment. This is definitely not a bad day of work.