What To Look For In Deadbolts And Door Locks

By Lori Melton

Installing high-quality deadbolts and door locks on all your home's exterior door entry points is an essential first line of defense in deterring intruders. While no lock is ever 100 percent guaranteed to keep a burglar out, knowing which locks and deadbolts might reduce risk and provide added security is helpful when choosing locks for your home. Here are some important things to consider when making a lock purchase.

Consult Experts

Law enforcement officers and professional locksmiths have a great amount of knowledge about potential break-in vulnerabilities in your home and the kinds of measures you can take to help ward off thieves. Consider making an appointment for a member of the local police department or a locksmith to come to your house, survey your entry points and current locking mechanisms, and offer their upgrade opinions.

Function Before Finish

Everyone wants door locks to look nice (especially on the front door). But, when buying locks, it's important to consider functionality first. Obviously, the kind of lock you would install on an interior bedroom or bathroom door for privacy doesn't need to offer the same high level of security that you need for home entry points such as your front and back doors.

Grading System

Locks and deadbolts are graded per standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). ANSI Grade 1 provides the highest level of residential security, Grade 2 provides an intermediate level of residential security and Grade 3 offers basic residential security. Choosing ANSI Grade 1 locks is highly recommended because they offer the highest level of security for your home. You can also use the BHMA website to compare locks and see if locks you are considering are BHMA certified.

Price Point

Cost is a common factor when considering what kinds of locks and deadbolts to buy. Generally, higher-priced locks offer increased quality and security. High security locks might seem expensive, but they have hardened cylinders, unique pin configurations and other built-in defenses.

Types of Locks

Using any type of deadbolt system for exterior doors is better than installing spring-latch locks or a simple key-turn lock. Many homeowners add an auxiliary deadbolt to a keyed entry lock for extra security. Handle sets for entry doors feature a door handle instead of a knob or lever and include a deadbolt. Mortise or interconnected entry locks feature an integral deadbolt that is keyed from outside and inside the home, but the deadbolt and latchbolt are retracted by turning the knob. This is makes exiting faster during an emergency. Finally, keyless touchpad or thumbprint scan locks eliminate the need for keys and incorporate digital passcodes and automated deadbolts on the inside of the door.

Deadbolts and Door Jamb Reinforcement

Deadbolts essentially bolt a door into its frame. Deadbolts work with three parts: A key-accessible outside cylinder, a throw (the piece that slides in and out of the door jamb) and the thumb-turn, which is the piece you turn to engage and disengage the bolt from the inside of your house. All dead bolts should be made of solid metal, such as steel, brass or bronze to provide the best strength.

There are single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolts. Single-cylinder deadbolts are the most commonly used type. Double-cylinder deadbolts can offer added security, because they use a key to unlock the bolt from both inside and outside the house. This might be desirable with a glass-paneled entry door, which could potentially prevent a thief from breaking the glass and turning a manual throw.

However, some fire and building codes prohibit installing locks that require keys from inside the house. This type could be hazardous when trying to get out of your home during a fire or another emergency. Consult your contractor about restrictions if you are considering this type.

Many deadbolt packages come with strike plates that include three-inch screws for more robust protection against forced entry. Consumer Reports suggests using a lock with a 1-inch long deadbolt and a reinforced-metal box strike and installing 3-inch-ling mounting screws to lodge in the framing behind the door jamb on the front door and the door that leads into your house from the garage.

Door jamb reinforcement kits can be installed (and retrofit) to reinforce key strike points like the strike, hinges and door edge. The kit typically includes galvanized steel reinforcement plates and 3.5 inch screws. This will help increase the overall strength of your door system.