How to Choose a Deadbolt for Your Front Door The deadbolt on your front door does most of the work of keeping a home secure. A good one is not expensive, but a few details decide whether it actually holds when someone kicks the door. Here is what to look at before you buy.
Single Cylinder or Double Cylinder A single cylinder deadbolt has a key slot outside and a thumb turn inside. A double cylinder deadbolt needs a key on both sides. Double cylinder locks are sometimes suggested for doors with glass near the lock, because a burglar cannot break the glass and reach in to turn the knob. The trade-off is safety: in a fire, everyone in the house has to find the key to get out. Many local codes restrict double cylinder locks in homes for that reason. For most front doors, a single cylinder deadbolt is the better choice.
Look for the ANSI/BHMA Grade Locks sold in the US are often rated by ANSI/BHMA. Grade 1 is the toughest, Grade 2 is good residential quality, and Grade 3 is the basic level. The rating is printed on the package or the spec sheet. For an exterior door, Grade 1 or Grade 2 is worth the small extra cost.
Check the Bolt Throw The throw is how far the bolt extends into the door frame when locked. Look for a full one-inch throw. A short bolt can be forced out of the frame with much less effort.
The Strike Plate Matters More Than the Lock Most forced entries do not defeat the lock. They break the door frame around the strike plate. The small plate that comes in the box is often held by short screws that only reach the thin trim. Replace them with screws at least three inches long so they bite into the wall stud behind the frame. A reinforced strike plate, or a full door jamb reinforcement kit, adds even more strength. This is one of the cheapest security upgrades you can make.
Keyed Alike If you are replacing more than one lock, ask for them to be keyed alike so one key opens every exterior door. Most brands sell matched sets, and any locksmith can rekey existing locks to match.
Smart and Keypad Deadbolts Keypad and smart deadbolts let you open the door with a code or a phone. They are handy if family members often lose keys, or if you want to give a temporary code to a contractor or dog walker and delete it later. Check that the model still has a full deadbolt and a good grade rating, change the batteries on a schedule, and make sure it has a backup way in, such as a key or external battery contacts, for the day the batteries die.
Installation Tips A deadbolt only works if the bolt slides fully into the strike without rubbing. If you have to push or pull on the door to lock it, the door or strike is out of alignment, and the bolt may not be fully extended when you think it is locked. Adjust the strike or the hinges until the bolt moves freely.
After You Move In If you have just moved into a home, you do not know how many copies of the old keys are out there. Rekeying the existing deadbolts is quick and costs less than replacing them, and it means only your keys will work. A solid deadbolt, long strike screws and a well-aligned door together do far more than any single expensive lock.
Choice City Locksmith · Mobile locksmith in Fort Collins, Colorado since 1999 · 112 N Grant Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521 · (970) 803-1100 · Open 5 AM–9 PM daily · www.choicecitylocksmith.com