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How Deadbolt Locks Work and Why Homeowners Need Them
There is no such thing as a home that’s too safe and secure. There is always something you as a homeowner can do to increase the security of your home. It may be something like adding high-security locks to your windows or adding ‘bump-proof’ locks to your entryway doors. You can also double the security of these entryway doors by adding second locks to them. Deadbolt locks are excellent for this purpose. In this article, I will talk all about these tough types of locks and why you should have them in certain places on your home.
A deadbolt is considered to be a superior type locking device for entryway doors. They are often times added as a secondary door lock to improve home door security too. They differ from more traditional keyed locks in the fact they have more complex tumbler systems. As a matter of fact, you cannot turn the tumblers on deadbolts unless you use the key or turn the knob on them on the inside of the door if they have one. This makes deadbolt locks nearly impossible to pick the locks on them.
Deadbolts are not only are tough to pick but they also have reinforcing plates that are used in conjunction with them on a door. That makes deadbolt locks very hard to pry open too. Deadbolt locks fall into the category of cylinder locks. When you turn a key in them that key turns the more complex tumbler system inside of these locks. Then, in turn, the tumbler on the inside of the lock also pulls on a cam. When the key is turned one way the cam opens and when it turns the other the cam closes. Deadbolts do not have traditional spring mechanisms like most other types of exterior door locks.
Without a doubt, deadbolt locks were specially made with exterior door security in mind and that’s the ideal place to put them. Some people will also choose to put them in such places as on interior doors that lead up from a basement. There are no set rules where you can place a deadbolt lock but it does not really make sense to add them to any interior doors other than what was mentioned.
In order for a deadbolt to work properly, you should have reinforced entryway doors. These include wood doors, metal doors or any type of door that is solid or reinforced in nature. Most likely a thief will try and pry open a door with a deadbolt lock on it as opposed to trying to pick the lock. If your deadbolt lock is on a reinforced door, they will have little success with this unless they spend much time or break the door down. It does not matter how strong a deadbolt lock you have if it’s placed on a weak type of door. A thief will be able to force their way into your home in that scenario.
These locks because of their stronger construction and different opening style are also a little bit tougher to install than regular keyed door locks. You would start installing your deadbolt lock by positioning it at least 44” from the bottom of the door it’s going on. Most deadbolt locks come with a template that indicates where you need to drill. You will need to use a hole saw to drill into the face and the edge of the door. A chisel will also be needed to mortise in the area where the faceplate goes. Once all this is done, then you simply follow the instructions to assemble the deadbolt lock.
Resist the temptation to call a handyman to come to install a deadbolt lock for you. You are better served by calling a locksmith service. A locksmith will know how to correctly install all the different types of deadbolt locks there are. They are also great people to call if you start having problems with any of your deadbolt locks.
There are several different deadbolt types but the main ones are what they call double- or single-cylinder deadbolt locks. Double cylinder deadlock bolts can pose a safety hazard and are even deemed illegal in some states. That’s because they need a key to open them even from the inside. That means if there is no key in the door and you have to get out of your home quickly that will be impossible until you fond the key to that deadbolt lock. Si single lock deadbolts which have knobs on the inside are a safer bet if you ever have to get out of your home in case of a fire or other emergency.
So, if you don’t have deadbolt locks on all of your exterior doors you should definitely think about adding them. They are not expensive lock choices either for the high amount of added security they give you.