Locksmith Glendale
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Many homeowners and business owners opt for deadbolt installation instead of getting the traditional locks with a spring bolt. Even in the class of deadbolts, however, there are great differences between the level of security, strength, and durability offered by the various models. That is why you will benefit from following the steps outlined here when choosing a new deadbolt for your property.
Decide on the Type
The single deadbolt locks are regarded to be the least secure as they can be operated only from the outside. You cannot get the door locked for added protection when you are inside. The double locks let you do this, but they may also make the doors useless as emergency exits if there isn’t a key around to unlock them. The deadbolts with a thumb turn on the inside seem to offer the best of both worlds. However, if you have a window next to the door, a thumb turn will leave you vulnerable as a burglar could just break the glass and open the door from the inside. Take all of these factors into account when planning new deadbolt lock installation.
Check the Grade
Deadbolts are given grades by the American National Standards Institute like all other locks. While Grade 2 deadbolts are perfectly well suited for residential properties, both homeowners and business owners are usually recommended to opt for Grade 1 devices. One of the most important things to remember is that the ANSI grade should apply to the entire door lockset. Watch out for products that are claimed to have Grade 1 or Grade 2 features only.
Consider the Make
The deadbolt’s strength and durability will determine how well it functions and how long it will last for. It is best if all of the lockset's components are made of brass or stainless steel. You must ensure that there are no zinc parts with brass plating, as they are much more likely to break, forcing you to replace the lock early on.
Look at the Bolt’s Properties
Ideally, the bolt should have a throw of one inch or greater. When it extends over an inch into the door jamb, thieves will have a much harder time overcoming the deadbolt with force-based techniques. The bolt should also have a pin made of hardened steel which spins freely. This pin works to prevent the cutting of the bolt with a saw. Other features like a cylinder with six pins rather than five and a special anti-picking mechanism will also help immensely for keeping your door more secure.
Opt for a Reinforced Strike Plate
This strike plate has special reinforcement made of heavy-duty metal. It is installed on the door jamb with the use of three-inch screws rather than the standard 3/4-inch ones. These features lower the risk of forceful entry dramatically. This is because, despite the common misconception, the strike plate is the most vulnerable component of the door lock, no matter if it is a deadbolt or not.
