Making Full Use of a Deadbolt

If you have moved into a new house or it is simply time for a lock change, you would want to get the best lock to keep you and your family secure. Practically every homeowner considers the use of a deadbolt especially for the front door. Traditional mortise locks have one major advantage - their bolt is not operated with a spring mechanism. Therefore, it is impossible to physically push the bolt out of hole of the strike plate. But which is the best way to use a deadbolt and what types of features should it have to do its job well? Find the answers below.

What to Consider Before Deadbolt Installation

There are two installation options that you should consider very carefully. The first one is to get a deadbolt to be fitted in the place of the existing lock and a door knob or handle separately. Deadbolts do not come in the typical set configuration and it is certainly not wise to use the key as a handle. The device will keep your door perfectly secure and its operation will be easy and convenient.

The second option is to add a deadbolt to the door and keep the old mortise lock. This eliminates the need for adding a knob or handle. At the same time, you will have a higher level of security since a burglar would be forced to overcome two door locksets and not just one. Perhaps the biggest advantage of this option is that when you are at home, you can use only the regular lock to ensure that you will get out more easily and quickly in case of a fire or another kind of serious emergency. Additionally, if you have one or more house workers coming in, you can give them keys only for the regular lock for maximizing security. You can readily change the spring lock with a stronger and more advanced one of its kind at any time.

You need to follow a few basic rules when choosing a deadbolt to ensure that you will not have to go for another lock replacement anytime soon. Ensure that the entire device has received at least ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Grade 2. Ideally, the internal cylinder components should be made from brass. Steel is the best material for the strike plate and the bolt. The longer the bolt and the screws which hold the strike plate are, the more resistant the deadbolt will be against forceful opening.

Last, but not least, the deadbolt must be properly fitted to work well. After the lock installation, all plates must sit securely in place. It should be easy and quick to turn the key inside the lock in either direction.