Deadbolts, Why Have These Important Locks Installed

Alpharetta Locksmith Everyone realizes how important it is to keep their home safe and secure. That’s why people add alarm systems, motion-sensing lights, and video surveillance. All of these security measures are great to have as mental theft deterrents but they are sadly lacking in one area. They don’t physically do anything that makes a home any harder to break into. That’s why having good locks is a must for any homeowner and the more of those locks that are deadbolt locks the better. This article will talk all about deadbolt locks and their importance for improving home security.

Why Choose Deadbolts?

Conventional keyed locks work great and in many cases they can be very decorative in nature too. They are also very easy to get mastered so a single key works several exterior doors. These type of locks do have one significant drawback. They are not very strong. This is not a good thing when statistics show that over 50% of all break-ins in America are done by using forced entry. That’s why many people choose deadbolts. They are several times harder to force open than more conventional spring-activated door locks. Locksmith experts recommend that every exterior door has at least one deadbolt type lock helping to secure it.

How Deadbolt Locks Work

You may be wondering how deadbolt locks get their strength. There are two things that make deadbolt locks extremely strong. The first is the fact that they use a solid metal throw (the actual bolt) and a have a reinforcing heavy metal strike plate that the throw fits into when it locks. As was mentioned, since they are hand-activated and not spring activated they are much harder to pick than conventional door locks. So they not only offer better protection from forced entry but they also are much harder for thieves to defeat by means of picking them.

Be Aware That All Deadbolt Locks Are Not Good Quality

As a consumer, it’s very important to be aware that not all deadbolt locks are created equal. You also must understand that you never want to compromise your home security to save a few dollars on a new deadbolt lock.

Here are some important characteristics to look for in a deadbolt lock:

Make sure they are rated ANSI Grade 1

ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. They are well-respected products testing agency. They put products through extreme testing to make sure they are safe and to judge how durable they area. Grade 1 is the highest ANSI rating given to a lock. Here are some of the tests a deadbolt lock must pass in order to be considered a grade 1 deadbolt lock.

Has been tested up to 250,000 times to make sure the lock opens and closes properly
Has a bolt portion that projects at least 1-inch into the door frame
Can withstand the force of 10 extreme hammer blows without giving way
Get one with a six-pin keying system, these are harder to pick than a five-pin keying system.
Make sure it has heavy-gauge steel or solid brass strike plate. Secure the strike plate into the door jamb and framing with up to 3” long screws if possible.
Try to get a deadbolt lock with at least a 1” throw; this means the throw extends a full 1” into the door jamb.
It should be built using a free-spinning, saw proof, hardened-steel pin located at the center of the throw. This makes cutting through the throw extremely difficult.
Locksmiths recommend that a deadbolt housing protrudes into the door face as opposed to being flush with it. This makes the deadbolt lock harder to shear off with multiple hammer blows.
If you have children or people in the home with compromised finger dexterity, make sure the deadbolt has a large turn piece on the interior side. This makes it easier for children and those with disabilities to open. These type of deadbolts will be labeled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

Types of Deadbolts

There are three main types of deadbolt locks that people use. They are as follows:

Single cylinder

These are the most common types of deadbolt locks. They use a key to activate the lock from the exterior and a knob to activate the lock on the interior. In many states, these are the only type of deadbolt lock allowed by law. The biggest concern with single cylinder deadbolts is that they are very vulnerable when placed on exterior doors with glass panes set into them.

Double cylinder

These locks are exactly the same as single cylinder deadbolts with one big exception. It takes a key to unlock them from both the inside and outside. This is why they are illegal to use in many states because if the key is not kept on the interior side of the door it can present a dangerous situation in the event of something like a fire.

Keyless deadbolt

These are exactly the same as regular deadbolt locks except they open and close using a keypad or some other electronic opening means.

Who Installs Deadbolt Locks for You?

If you need to get some new deadbolt locks installed, you definitely want an experienced locksmith to do it for you. Otherwise, your newly installed deadbolts may not offer you as much security as they should.

Tips for Keeping Your Deadbolt Locks as Secure as Possible

Here are some things you definitely want to keep in mind when adding deadbolt locks to your exterior doors. This will help keep your deadbolts as secure as possible.