A door is only as good as its strongest lock. So when selecting new locks for your home, go for quality.
A door is only as good as its strongest lock. So when you are selecting new locks for your home, go for quality over value.
The strongest, most secure locks are double-cylinder deadbolts. They require a key to open, whether you are inside your house or outside. But before you install one, check with your local fire department or municipality. They may not be permitted by local fire codes, because if you lose or misplace the key, you may not be able to get out of your house during a fire. If double-cylinder deadbolts are allowed in your area, keep the key in the inside lock at all times, or keep it in an easily accessible place near the door.
There are other deadbolt locks that are safer in case of fire. Panic-proof deadbolts open from the outside with a key, but open from the inside by turning a knob or lever. But if one is installed near a window or glass panel, a burglar could easily break the glass and reach in to turn the lock.
Selecting new locks for sliding doors is a little more complicated. Locks that attach to the frame can easily be knocked out of the locked position from the outside with a little muscle. Make sure the door that slides is on the inside, which makes it harder for someone to lift it out of its track and remove it. A pin-lock or plunger-type lock will keep the sliding door more secure. These locks are installed by drilling a hole through the sliding panel so that a solid metal pin or plunger can secure the sliding door to the fixed panel.
French doors are hard to secure, especially if they don't have a center post. On a door that opens, install a good deadbolt to secure it to the door that doesn't. On an inactive French door (one that is not meant to be opened), vertical bolts can be installed to secure them to the top jamb and threshold.
When selecting new locks for your home, keep in mind that newer construction usually includes hollow-core construction and poor locks. If you have a say in the kinds of doors and locks that are installed, bring up your concerns with your builder. Otherwise, be prepared to replace them with better locks and doors after you move in. If you are purchasing an older home with these kinds of locks and doors, ask for financial consideration from the old owners to install newer locks.
Many people install chain locks to their doors for extra security. But these locks can provide a false sense of security, since they can easily be forced open with a little muscle.
Sometimes padlocks are the best option for outbuildings, including garages, sheds and tool boxes. Go for quality over price when selecting a padlock, since cheaper models can easily be pried open or cut with bolt cutters.
Locks are only as good as the door and jamb in which they are installed. If you find yourself installing an expensive lock on a cheap door, it may be time to buy a new door as well. There is no security in a door that can easily be kicked in or chopped through by thieves. And if you are unsure how to properly select or install a new lock, call a contractor or building expert. An improperly installed lock can be just as bad as having no lock at all.
