Locks & Hardware

All exterior doors to your home require the use of a deadbolt lock. “Lock-in-knob” locks offer privacy but not security. Most “lock-in-knob” style locks can be opened using a credit card or similar object. Deadbolt locks offer the bet security. There are two types of deadbolt locks. Single cylinder deadbolts have a thumb turn on the interior side. They are convenient to use and may speed up the exit process in the event of an evacuation. If they are near a window it is possible for an intruder to break the glass and turn open the bolt. Double cylinder deadbolts utilize keys on both sides. This type of lock should be considered if there is a window within reach of the lock. This type of lock does present a potential evacuation hazard as the key must be located and inserted into the lock before opening the bolt.

When you install a deadbolt lock, make sure:

• The bolt extends at least 1” into the front edge of the doors.
• The bolt is made of case hardened steel or contains a hardened insert.
• The strike plate is attached through the trim to the doorframe with screws at least 3” long.
• The cylinder guard must be tapered, round and free spinning to make it difficult to grip with pliers or a wrench. It must be solid metal, not hollow casting or stamped metal.

The strike plate is attached to the doorframe with screws. The metal bolt of the deadbolt lock slides into the strike plate to secure the door into the frame. A high security strike plate is required to keep the metal bolt from being kicked from the doorframe when locked. A high security strike plate should have at least 4 screws that are a minimum of 3” long.

Hinges are often installed with the same ¾” screws as common strike plates. Replace these with 2 to 3” threaded screws so the hinges are anchored to the sub-frame. Avoid exposing hinge pins to the exterior of the home as an intruder may attempt to remove the pins and gain entry.