The other day, I was just reading an article comes from askthebuilder and find this is a good article to read.
Summary: Electronic deadbolt and keyless deadbolt hardware provide excellent security. Deadbolt locks are difficult to install if you’ve never done it before.
Security is a major concern for many people. Our current society is such that you need to lock up your possessions to protect them and yourself. Standard door locks offer minimal protection. Deadbolt locks help attain a higher level of protection against intruders. They can’t offer complete protection as a determined burglar or thief can and will get into your home. If you don’t believe me, ask a seasoned police officer!
New Options
Have you purchased or leased a new car lately? If so, you received a little gizmo that allows you to lock and unlock your car doors from a distance. Some even start your car remotely! You can now get similar features on deadbolt locks. The technology has been integrated so that the little gizmo on your key chain operates your house locks, your garage door opener
and even the indoor lights of your house. The next 10 years and beyond are going to be exciting times for electronically excited people!
The remote operated dead bolt locks are very interesting. They are battery operated and have built-in audible and visual alert features that tell you if the deadbolt actually locked. There are lots of other cool features as well.
The lighted deadbolts are handy for those dark locations. I have struggled in my own garage on a moonless night to try to get the key into the lock slot. The lighted deadbolt emits a handsome glow that circles the key slot. It is a very simple yet handy feature.
Security Basics
Before you try to thwart the thieves, I suggest you call your local police department. Large police departments have special crime prevention sections and officers who specialize in door security. They will gladly tell you the things that work and those that are a waste of money. Often the police will perform a free security analysis of your home and tell you where the weak link(s) are in your security armor. Don’t hesitate to call your police department! It is a great way to see your tax dollars at work! Besides, the police want to help you before a crime, not after one has happened.
Code Problems
Building codes affect deadbolt locks. Some codes prohibit or restrict the use of certain types of deadbolt locks. The locks I am talking about are those that are classified as double cylinder locks. These are the ones that require a key to operate the lock on both sides of the door. These locks are often used in doors that have glass or glass sidelights. Standard single cylinder locks have a twist knob on the inside of the door. A thief will simply break the glass, reach in and twist the knob. Double cylinder locks prevent this type of entry.
They also prevent rapid escape from the house in the event of a fire or some other problem. Simply keeping the key in the lock does little good since a thief will break the glass and turn the key! Before you consider such a lock on your door, check with the building code individuals and fire officials in your area. Ask them if there is an approved method of installing a double cylinder deadbolt lockset in your town.
Professional Installation?
If you have never done this type of job before, I would surely not start with your front door! I am not saying you can’t do this job. I am saying that deadbolt lock installation is a somewhat difficult task. If you drill the holes crooked or mis-align them, you will have big problems. Accurately chiseling the mortises required for the bolt and its keeper require skill.
If you decide to tackle the installation yourself – which I think is admirable! – then you might want to practice your drilling and chiseling techniques on some scrap wood or an old door or similar sized piece of wood. Get the feel of a chisel. See how difficult it is to use a spade bit or a hole saw.
Be sure to use a very sharp pencil to make you marks. Double check all dimensions before you drill anything! Once you drill a hole, it is really hard to enlarge it or move it.
Reinforcing the Jamb
Deadbolt locks are only as strong as what they connect to. Almost every lock kit comes with a special hidden steel keeper plate that is installed in the door jamb. Be sure to use this plate and the long, heavy screws that attach this plate to the rough door jamb hidden behind the regular door jamb.
Also look for deadbolt locks that have a 1 inch long bolt. These tend to be stronger.
Source from askthebuilder by Tim Carter ©1993-2009 Tim Carter
