

Keyed-Entry and Handle Sets Photo by David Hamsley Titan's NightSight model has a motion detector that switches on a light to illuminate the cylinder, making it easier to find. Weiser Lock's Powerbolt 3000 dead bolt can be unlocked by remote control. Look for Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Large turnpieces on the interior side that offer more leverage for children or anyone else who has difficulty opening dead bolts.This prevents thieves from sheering the dead bolt off with repeated hammer blows. A housing that protrudes into the door face rather than one that sits flush with it.If thieves use a saw on the bolt, the steel will resist the blade and the pin will spin, frustrating the cutting action of the saw. A free-spinning, sawproof, hardened-steel pin at the center of the bolt.

#DEADBOLT AND DOOR KNOB SET FULL#
throw, which means the bolt extends a full 1 in. Secure it with 3-in.-long screws that go through the jamb into the framing. A heavy-gauge-steel or -brass strike plate.A six-pin keying system, which is harder to pick than a five-pin system.Avoid less expensive locks that have softer brass-plated zinc cylinders and plugs. A forged, solid-brass plug (the part that the key turns) and cylinder (the part that surrounds the plug).And beware of ads touting dead bolts with "Grade 1 features." The rating must be for the entire lock. Grade 1, a commercial rating, offers added security-at added cost.

Proponents suggest hiding a key nearby, but building codes in many areas require single-cylinder units that have a turnpiece on the inside. This makes it more secure-burglars can't unlock the door by breaking door glazing or a sidelight and reaching in-but it can be very dangerous if there's a fire and you need to make a fast exit in smoky, poor-visibility conditions. Double-cylinder dead bolts require keys to open the lock from the interior as well as the exterior. above the keyed entry (locking door handle) or handle set (handle and dead bolt combination) for added security. Where they go: On exterior doors, typically 6 to 12 in. Most go for $8 to $16, though high-end forged, solid- brass locks can cost 10 times that. Interior locks cost considerably less than exterior locks.

As with exterior locks, look for dual-torque springs to keep knobs from sagging and a no-tarnish lifetime finish. Also be sure there's an emergency release (look for a small hole in the center of the handle) that lets you open the door from outside with a paper clip in an emergency. But you might want a model with a latch kickoff that keeps the door from accidentally locking behind you. Interior door locks only prevent nuisance entry-they won't keep bad guys at bay. As for esthetics, look for dual-torque springs that prevent knobs from sagging and a no-tarnish lifetime finish. Another terrific convenience is universal keying, which allows you to carry one house key despite having installed locks on other doors from different makers. A handle set that allows you to open both the dead bolt and latch from inside with a single motion is convenient and could be a lifesaver in an emergency. And because a latch or bolt is only as strong as the strike plate it engages, make sure the lock you're considering comes with a heavy-duty plate and 3-in. On dead bolts, look for hardened pins that can withstand sawing. An antitheft option you should look for on locksets or handle sets is a dead-locking latch bolt it prevents burglars from jimmying the latch with a credit card. Higher-end units typically feature solid, forged-brass components and a Grade 2 or even a Grade 1 (commercial duty) security rating. Prices vary from $25 to over $300, reflecting a wide range of quality and style. You have a choice of separates-a deadbolt and a lockset mounted separately-or a handle set that incorporates both features. To be truly secure, any exterior door needs a dead bolt. The obvious purpose of any lock is to keep unwanted people out, but the kind of lock you buy depends on where it's going in the house and your budget.
#DEADBOLT AND DOOR KNOB SET HOW TO#
In case all you need is a way to keep the kids out of your room at nap time or a new door handle for the closet, we also tell you how to judge the offerings in privacy and passage locksets. We've done the initial research on three major types of exterior locks on the market-keyed-entry doorknobs, handle sets and dead bolts-to sort out features and costs. But picking the right lockset can be very confusing. Today's locks offer much greater protection. Although not all break-ins are preventable, exterior locks and dead bolts are your most important line of defense. Are you still relying on the lock that was on the front door when you moved into your house? The lock seems like an old, dear friend, but it may not be.
