Deadbolts offer the most security because you have to engage them after the door closes. Manufacturers built a unique locking device into the bolt so that intruders can’t force the lock.
The deadbolt usually sits back 1 inch in the door. Maybe you have thought to replace or rekey your locks. This makes sense in cases where you have someone who wants to gain access to the home, or you believe that your home has become a target.
You might install deadbolts to upgrade the security of the home.
What to Consider
True, you may want to replace the deadbolt, but it will have little consequence if you have a flimsy door or weak door frame. Intruders can force open a flimsy door even with a deadbolt installed.
You want to carefully analyze your door to ensure that you can’t force it open. Stronger door models will have steel or come made from solid wood. After you have replaced the flimsy door, then you can add the deadbolt.
Will the Deadbolt Work on the New Door?
Before you put money down on a new door, you should first check to see that it can support a deadbolt. You have mechanics on the door that matter and not every deadbolt will be compatible with the door design. First, check to see that it will work, or you will waste your money.
At Star Locksmith in Philadelphia, we have encountered many customers over the years who would buy a deadbolt without realizing that it required certain mechanics.
Their door wouldn’t work with the deadbolt that they purchased. In other cases, they tried to install the deadbolt and didn’t install it properly, which led to damage.
Before you buy a deadbolt, you might call our locksmith first to know if it will be compatible. We can bring a replacement deadbolt that works.
Deadbolts
At Star Locksmith Philadelphia, we have encountered many customers over the years who would buy a deadbolt without realizing that it required certain mechanics.
Their door wouldn’t work with the deadbolt that they purchased. In other cases, they tried to install the deadbolt and didn’t install it properly, which led to damage. Before you buy a deadbolt, you might call our locksmith first to know if it will be compatible.
We can bring a replacement deadbolt that works.
Will the Deadbolt Work on the New Door?
Before you put money down on a new door, you should first check to see that it can support a deadbolt. You have mechanics on the door that matter and not every deadbolt will be compatible with the door design. First, check to see that it will work, or you will waste your money.
Should You Rekey It or Replace the Lock Altogether?
Rekeying costs much less than replacing the lock, and it accomplishes the same thing. To rekey a lock, you will pay anywhere from $40 to $100. Replacing a deadbolt, on the other hand, will cost you anywhere from $100 to $250.
Don’t let a locksmith convince you that you need a replacement when you only need to rekey it.
You do have cases where you may want to replace the lock, however. For example, if you want to upgrade the security on your lock because the old lock became outdated. Having a durable lock protects you from intruders who would try to force entry.
Should You Buy the Smart Deadbolt?
The smart deadbolt might look cool, but it is less effective. You receive convenience with it, such as accessing the deadbolt from a smartphone or keypad.
However, you have to remember how this presents a need for another line of defense at the technological point because now hackers can exploit it. With a purely mechanical deadbolt, hackers can’t break into it. For many people, a standard mechanical deadbolt makes more sense.
Smart deadbolts have an advantage in that you can change the passcode easily. If you get the right brand, they offer the same security with convenience.
Should I Hire a Locksmith to Install the Deadbolt?
You may be able to install the deadbolts yourself if you have mechanical or technical inclinations, but you have to exercise caution. You bought the deadbolt for security after all. Doing it on your own, it won’t provide you with security if you install it incorrectly.
Having a professional technician install the deadbolt ensures that the door has a proper installation to fight off intruders. Improper installation could damage your lock or the door.
For someone who chooses the DIY approach, they will need to take proper measurements. This ensures that it correctly fits on the door frame and the door. Deadbolts won’t work if it doesn’t align.
Do You Have Better Options Than a Standard Deadbolt?
Someone who wants the extra security on the home might look at an entire door lock system. This adds protection and peace of mind. The HAVEN Mech Door Lock, for example, provides you with 10 times the strength of a deadbolt.
You receive military-grade strength on your door lock. As a smart lock, you can lock and unlock the door remotely. This makes sense for cases where your kid locked himself out of the home, or you have guests over for a dinner party that you want to let inside while you go buy groceries.
How Often Should You Replace a Deadbolt?
Anyone who has become the victim of a burglary should have their locks replaced as soon as possible, especially if the locks were damaged.
Deadbolts that have broken will always break for a reason. This can happen because of a poorly made lock, or it could happen because of a failure to install it correctly.
You should only replace the deadbolt, however, if the lock has failed. Most of the time, people think of the issue with the deadbolt as an issue with the door or key.
Hopefully, this has shed some light on deadbolts and what to know before you buy them. At Star Locksmith Philadelphia, we won’t tell you what to buy. Instead, we will look at your circumstances, see what you want and tell you if it will work for your door.
Our experts can also tell you if what you want to do with your lock will be effective. In some cases, you may find that an alternative accomplishes things better like if you want greater convenience, then a smart deadbolt will offer that to you better than a mechanical lock.
Home Being Watched by Burglars? Here’s How to Handle It
Most burglars who strike check out the home beforehand. Don’t think of burglary as a spur-of-the-moment crime. They have probably scoured the property for a while to look for weaknesses, and worse, you may not even know they do it.
The burglar will look at the weaknesses and the best time to break in without getting arrested. How do you respond to someone trying to break into your property?
