Deadbolt Locks-The Ultimate Buying Guide

You would have seen many locks operated by a key on the house's apartment doors or front doors. These general types of locks that need a key to open them are known as deadbolt locks.

Yes, deadbolt locks are ubiquitous and widely used in our home, garden, bedroom and bathrooms. They are affordable, durable, easy to install and cost-effective.

But do you know more about deadbolt locks and how to choose the right suitable deadbolt locks for your home or other different place using?

In this deadbolt lock buying guide, I will discuss the benefits, types, parts, cost, styles, installation and FAQ about deadbolt locks.

I hope this article will help you know deadbolt locks better and know how to choose deadbolt locks correctly!

What are Deadbolt Locks?

A deadbolt lock is operated through movements of a key or an access control system without a spring. If compared to the standard spring latches, deadbolt locks are heavier and thicker.

Normally, the deadbolt locks are composed of steel or brass without a rounding or angling pattern at the end of the lock. However, for increasing your home security, a deadbolt lock can be an appropriate tool.

In deadbolt locks, while turning a key, the bolt is made to move in or out of the door jamb opening. The spring-loaded locks that you mainly see in the center of the doorknob provide light security. But deadbolt locks are considered to be secure locks that can’t be opened easily.

Deadbolt locks have their name because they can’t be pushed back manually, as you can do with spring latches. They seem to be practically dead or immovable. Most locksmiths put the view forward that deadbolt locks are very crucial for home security and safety.

What's The History of Deadbolt locks

Do you know when deadbolt locks were invented?

Deadbolt locks came into existence around the 1900s. Expect a few modifications, the basic prototype design of deadbolt locks has been quite the same. Initially, deadbolt locks were proven as a hotspot of fascination due to their sleek style and security capabilities.

Practically, deadbolts were just sliding metal bars placed inside of doors; due to this reason, they were placed without any much-needed camouflage.

In earlier days, deadbolts only had an opening outside for the entry of the key. Such kind of deadbolt locks are very general and are known as single cylinders.

How do deadbolt locks work?

Deadbolt locks don’t incorporate a spring in their mechanical system. That’s why the movements of a key can simply operate them.

However, the process of opening deadbolt locks through a crowbar or any other device is complicated because of their no-spring operating mechanism.

Deadbolts provide a higher level of security due to their no-spring mechanism, which ensures an added layer of resistance compared to other locking mechanisms.

What are The Types of Deadbolt Locks?

There are different types of deadbolts, depending upon the functionality:

• Single-cylinder deadbolt lock

A single-cylinder deadbolt authorizes the user to lock and unlock the door from the inside of your home with a thumb turn. Unlike a double-cylinder deadbolt prerequisite, homeowners use a key to manage the door from both sides, inside and outside.

• Double Cylinder Deadbolt Lock

While both kinds of cylinders function as premium security measures, a double-cylinder deadlock provides the maximum protection because there is only one way to open a door compared to the two.

Homeowners are advised to use a double-cylinder unit for a door with windows. In a case where a burglar punches through the glass, he or she can unlock the door from the inside with a single-cylinder bolt. But with a double, it eliminates the danger.

• Lockable thumbturn deadbolt lock

A lockable thumb-turn deadbolt is the foremost solution for many deadbolt installations.  It provides the security of a double deadbolt with the convenience of a normal single cylinder thumb-turn deadbolt. ‘Captive key’ is the solution for it.

• Deadbolt lock double vs. single cylinder

The advantage of a single-cylinder unit is that it can assist you in cases of emergency where you need to exit your home at once. For example, with a single deadbolt, you can unlock the door from the inside and escape any endangerment.

In comparison, a double-cylinder deadlock will provide an obligatory need to open the door with keys — and in an emergency, you won’t have time to grope around or forget where your keys are.

What are the Parts of a Deadbolt Lock?

The deadbolt lock parts generally include Thumbturn, Deadbolt, Turn piece and keyhole.

1.Thumb-latch / Thumbturn: It is the part of the deadbolt in your house used for locking and unlocking a deadbolt.

2.Deadbolt: It is the section of your lock that assures the security of your door. The tiny part that goes from the door to the frame is the real deadbolt section. It repels the door opening from outside.

3.Turn piece / Tailpiece: The turn has another name called a tailpiece; it is the part that stretches from the door to the exterior key cylinder of the lock from inside of the door.

It is associated with a thumb latch to control the lock. Instead of the thumb latch, the August lock will be joined at that point.

4.Keyhole: The Keyhole itself is where the key inserts, allowing users to operate the lock. These are a few of the most important parts of the deadbolt. Each part plays a role in how the locking mechanism works.

• Deadbolt Lock Parts Diagram

• Deadbolt Lock Cover

A deadbolt lock cover can be detached or attached to an anchor plate again. When the door is in open condition, the deadlock cover is in contact with the anchor plate through bolts and hooks.

But when the door is closed, the deadbolt lock’s knob is inaccessible because it's operated manually, and it is completely draped with a deadbolt lock.

That’s why a deadbolt can only be unlocked by using a key. The deadbolt lock cover may also include a frame that supports the bolts and various other geometries. This is because the strikes of deadbolts are very different.

They don’t need a lip because the lock's bolt doesn’t strike on the plate, unlike the latch. It covers the section of jam where the hole would be present, and the bolt will be fitted to lock into the place. It also provides another layer of security.

If the door jams, hinges, door, and door frames are weak then, you can imagine that there is no use of a strong deadbolt.

• Deadbolt Lock Cylinder

The main body of the lock is its lock cylinder which is also known as a key cylinder. In the lock cylinder, you insert the key and adjust the lock pins before using the lock.

When you unlock a door, you insert the key in the lock cylinder and turn it. This turning movement of the key induces the shifting of a series of pins present in the cylinder.

The process of ‘re-keying your lock involves the resetting of these pins present in the cylinder.

Deadbolt Lock Sizes

It is important to have a minimum of 5 1/2" between the center of the deadbolt cross borehole of your door and the center of any other door latch below the deadbolt.

The ideal diameter for cross bore is around 2 1/8" or 1 1/2". From the corner edge of the door to the centerline, this area has named a backset.

The ideal sizes are 2 3/8" or 2 3/4". The latch bore should measure 1" in diameter. The width of the door is around 1 3/8’’ or 1 ¾,’’ and the doorjamb should be around 7/8’’ for the diameter with a height of 1’’.

How much does a deadbolt cost?

The deadbolt lock price range is not wide. Hence, you should consider choosing the best deadbolt that commits quality instead of the cheap deadbolt locks.

Deadlock/Deadbolt: The good quality steel locks cost around $50 to $75 without labor costs. The place from where you buy it and the type of deadbolt also affect the cost of the deadbolt.

This is not a high cost for a heavy-duty lock, especially if you have all the necessary tools to install further.

Please note that these prices are of deadbolts in general. So the price will vary if you wish to buy a specific purpose lock like car door deadlock or deadbolts based on a particular finish like chrome deadbolt or deadbolt on certain offers like combo deadbolt lock.

How to Install Deadbolt Locks？

Adding a deadbolt to a door needs skill and experience. While you can do it yourself, too, it is recommended to have an expert hired for the installation process as it is a security matter. In the subsequent section, the details and costs regarding the installation are covered.

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Deadbolt? 

The cost of deadbolt locks ranges from $25 to $300. Quality plays the main factor in deciding the rate of the deadbolt lock. The installation process costs around $75 to $400, which can vary according to whether you are willing to take professional help or want to do it by yourself.

Who installs deadbolt locks?

With the help of a professional locksmith, installing a new deadbolt is just a matter of a few hours.

However, the cost charged by the locksmith for installing a deadbolt lock can vary according to the various factors like whether the locksmith provides the lock or you bought it by yourself, the number of components that are needed, and the time taken during the installation process.

It can also be affected by factors like installing a deadbolt on an interior door or installing a deadbolt in a commercial steel door because the efforts, skills, and time will vary. Interior door deadbolt installation will be much easier than the metal one.

How are deadbolt locks mounted? Deadbolt locks installation Guide.

1. Refer to the deadbolt locks Manufacturer's a template/ manual:

The lock installation process isn't a thing that everyone will know. That’s why many manufacturers of deadbolts provide a template or a manual guide to help you through the installation process.

The guide is composed to work with various types of doors with different lengths and widths. For example, 6’’ north is considered the ideal length between the deadbolt lock and the doorknob.

2. Cut a Hole for the Deadbolt:  Once you are done with the marking process of the reference points by using the template, then by using a saw, create a hole for your deadbolt lock.

When you see that the pilot has bitten and the hole saw can be seen on the opposite side of the door, stop the further cutting process.

Now finish the hole from the opposite side of the door. This will help in not creating any splinters. You can also use a standard bit hole saw if you find it difficult to get the hole across the full door or till outside of the door.

3.Drill a Hole Through the Edge of the Door: it is advisable to use a 7/8" spade bit to drill a hole in the door for the bolt.

4. Mortise the Area Around the Faceplate: Fix the bolt inside the hole now mark the faceplate.  The portion surrounding the faceplate using a wood chisel that will help in flushing is associated with the door for mortising.

While working with the chisel, be mindful of putting the beveled side in the direction of the mortised area and press to settle the faceplate inside deep.

5. Secure the Bolt To the Door: Contour the mortising process until you see that the faceplate has gotten the proper fitting. Then drill more pilot holes, then with the help of the screws, position both along with the door.

6. Install the Cylinder And Thumb Lever:  The outer side will be fitted first on the door while ensuring that the writing is straight upright.

Next, the interior pieces will be needed to fit into the position and align the screw holes according to the mounting holes inside the lock. Now fasten the deadbolt in the right position with the help of screws.

7. Drill Holes and Secure the Strike Plate: You can use a marker or lipstick to mark the end. Noe tries closing the door and moves the deadbolt several chances to mark the doorframe in the same manner.

Using a 7/8’’ spade bit, try to drill two crossing holes that overlap each other in the doorframe of the deadbolt. Drill a Hole Through the Edge of the Door

Deadbolt lock replacement

Changing your deadbolt is a hassle-free process irrespective of the type of door kind or lock! You should change a deadbolt if you find any issues with it. The mechanism of replacing the deadbolt is similar to replacing any kind of general lock.

How to change a deadbolt lock

Changing a deadbolt lock is not complex. However, it may require some professional equipment. Check out the process as it involves removing the old deadbolt and installing the new one.

1, Removing old deadbolt locks

• The screws associated with the deadbolt are needed to be unfastened now. The deadbolt front has two screws that need to be removed. The portion where screws have resided is called faceplate.
• Then you will need to remove the interior portion of the faceplate. When the separation of the screws is done, removing the faceplate will be the next step. In some cases, separating the faceplate may require moving it counterclockwise.
• Now it's time to detach the exterior faceplate. When it is done, the faceplate present on the exterior region of the door will also come out easily. Before pulling it out, you may need to move it counterclockwise.

In some situations, the exterior faceplate also contains a few screws. They need to be removed before you try to pull out the faceplate.

• Now you need to unfasten the set plate. The metal part of the deadbolt, towards the door frame, is called a set plate. It also joins the doorframe with the bolt. On the upper and lower part of the deadbolt, there is a screw. Both of these screws need to be removed.
• Remove the set plate and then the bolt. The metal piece present in the middle of the particular deadbolt fits inside the jamb opening when the door is locked. The metal piece is generally joined along with the set plate; you can pull both easily when removed.

Many situations throw the scenario in which the set place and bolt are two different pieces. In this case, you need to remove the set plate first, and then you can remove the bolt. Before trying to unlock the deadbolt, you can spare the bolt even then.

You need to find the joint place of the bolt and locking mechanism. You can easily twist it open with the screwdriver.

2, How to install your new Deadbolt?

• The set plate will slide into the door along with the bolt. The bolt and the set plate will be needed to slide straight inside the hole present on the side of the door. Sometimes, the bolt plate and the set plates are not connected and present separately; you will need to glide the bolt before the set plate in such cases.
• Fix the set plate into your door by screwing it. The top part and bottom part of the set plates have holes. To ensure the position of the set plate and bolt into their respective position, you will need to insert the screws as well.

The process of installing a deadbolt is similar to the removal of it. First, you insert the screw by twisting it manually. Then, to ensure that the screw has been placed accurately, you can use a screwdriver at the end.

• Place the exterior facepiece into the bolt—a lengthy piece of metal sticks out from the outside of the door. The exterior faceplate will be placed inside the bolt. There will be a hole in the center of the bolt; here, you will need to slide the metal.
• The interior facepiece will be positioned inside the bolt. To fit into 2 halves of the bolt, there will commonly be two metal pieces. The interior facepiece slides into these respective holes.

There are a total of 3 holes that are present consecutively on the bolt. First is present in the central part, which helps in joining the exterior facepiece and the bolt. The other two are present on the left side and on the right side of the central hole, these help in joining the interior facepiece with the bolt.

• The screws will be placed on the surface of the facepieces. There are two screws present on the interior portion of the facepiece. The type of model will also be responsible for determining the presence of the screws on the exterior facepiece. These screws will need to be placed inside; you can do this either manually or by using a power tool or screwdriver.

You should work with standard screws with a new deadbolt lock; this will ensure the perfect fitting of the screws.

• The decorative covers present on some deadbolts have a different process of installation. For this purpose, you should check and study the instructions carefully. In most cases,  such decorative facepieces are snapped on the surface of facepieces.

Deadbolt lock problems and repair

You will always face some deadbolt lock problems and will try to find a better way to solve these issues, for example:

• deadbolt lock stuck
• deadbolt lock broken
• deadbolt lock sticking
• deadbolt lock not turning
• deadbolt lock hard to turn
• deadbolt lock mechanism broken

Now let us try to see these issues one by one and find a better solution for these deadbolt locks problems.

Deadbolt lock stuck

Most people prefer deadbolt locks as their locking system because it's more long-lasting than door lock or latch. But deadbolt locks also have few lacking points. The most general issue with deadbolt locks is that they get stuck sometimes in a locked state.

If you are wondering why deadbolt locks get stuck, then there are various reasons behind it. Sometimes when the key isn’t aligned properly then, there is the probability that the key gets jammed into the strike plate.

The reason behind the jam can be a mechanical error associated with the parts present inside the lock.  But don’t worry, we are here to help you out. Let's discuss the various ways by which you can fix your deadbolt locks;

Lube It Up

Initialize with the lubrication of the lock.  For this purpose, a graphite spray can be the best option. After greasing it up, try to put the key again and move it. This will help you to resolve the jam because of the oxidation of the metal or rust.

Thump On It

Try to tap the hammer around the keyhole and try to twist the key in both directions while simultaneously tapping the lock by the hammer. This may take a few minutes to resolve because the parts will need some time to get back into their right position.

Unfasten the screws

Sometimes you may need to separate the lock from the surface of the door. For this purpose, remove the bolts from the sides of the lock.

If you find it hard to unscrew the lock, try tapping it several times with the posterior portion of the screwdriver. It will help the screws to come out easily by loosening them.

When the lock is finally separated from the surface of the lock, try to find and check whether the inner side of the deadbolt rod is lined up in a proper manner or not along with the slot of the lock. Now put the rod into its appropriate position and glide it to the backside.

Now refasten the screws in their positions and try to unlock it one more time.

How to repair a broken Deadbolt Lock?

What to do if the key is stuck or broken inside the lock?

If you witness a broken key in the deadbolt, then don’t worry. We have got your back. Sometimes, the key gets stuck in the door latch due to misalignment, or maybe a few lock parts are not properly lubricated. If you force the key to move inside the lock in such scenarios, it can break, adding more to your problems.

Don’t force the stuck key inside the lock, or don’t try to open or close it; this may exaggerate your problems. If any portion of the key is exposed to the lock's outer region, you are advised to use pliers to extract it out. Be mindful of extracting it straight by pulling.

Because pulling the key on an angle may further break it into smaller pieces that will be very hard to take out from the insides of the lock. So always try to pull the key straight.

Be careful and use pliers to pull the key out straight by gripping the broken key. If it's impossible to grip and take out the broken key by using a needle nose pliers then, do one thing, cut a saw blade in such a manner that its teeth point towards the outside and then put the blade inside the keyhole or the keyway.

Now again, very carefully try to drag and pull the broken by hooking and dragging motion. Finally, separate and pull the cylinder. Now try to insert a tight, stiff wire and try to push the key out.

Step-by-step process to repair stuck Deadbolt Lock.

Step 1- Facilitate the lock by lubricating it. For example, you can spray graphite into the lock or can try re-inserting the key and then move it around in the lock to get the grip right, and it will open.

Step 2- Tap the lock using a hammer, or you can also use a screwdriver and thump by its end. This will help separate the lock pieces from the inside, and the parts will be untangled. Do this action multiple times till the deadbolt falls back into the lock.

Step 3- Take out the lock and do it apart. Next, unfasten all the screws present on the side edge of the deadbolt and slither them by pulling out. Now the lock will be needed to put off the door. After checking the inside of the deadbolt rod, try to ensure that it goes with the present slot inside the lock. Now position the rod correctly to fit in and then try to glide it back inside the lock.

Step 4- This will allow the deadbolt to slide more freely in place once closed again. When the deadbolt is untangled, then try to open the door. Now using a metal file, try to file the inner strike plate down that will cause it to open a bit more.

What to do if the Deadbolt Lock is not turning

Step 1: Lubricate the lock cylinder: Maintenance is essential even for the deadbolt of your house, which you use daily. Sometimes the deadbolt lock gets jabbed in one position and can’t move. But worry not! We are here to pull you back from this distress.

It’s a better choice than graphite because it sprays on wet to soak into the lock mechanism.   It is easy to resolve this issue by using a dry Teflon lube spray. However, you can also use graphite because it sprinkles on wet and helps in soaking into the lock system.

Step 2: bolt mechanism lubrication: If lubricating the lock cylinder doesn’t work then, you’ll need to lube the bolt mechanism.

Step 3: After lubrication, clean the lock mechanism properly. Remove all the dirt, and then try to turn the lock or the key within the lock.

Deadbolt Lock Hard to Turn

It is tough to turn the deadbolt, and it’s not anywhere close to the striker plate inside the door jamb. It is a prevalent issue caused by the two holes present inside the door.

Separating the deadbolt from the door is quite easy. And this is the task that you are advised to do to understand the issue.

There are commonly two screws present inside the door in the front of the deadbolt. These screws are used for disengaging the lock. Two screws are also present on the corner lining of the door; their responsibility is to hold the latch in the right position.

You can’t eliminate the latch without excluding both parts of the deadbolt from the surface of the door.

After separating the lock and the door, try to reposition it back in the best way possible. When you are trying to place it back, ask for help from someone to hold the door in position, this will make the task easier for you.

There is a small hole in the door’s edge; you will need to start from there. In more than 95% of cases, the cause of the binding issue is that same hole. To make the latch glide easily and smoothly, you will need to increase the size of the small hole by a few measures.

How to cope up with the deadbolt lock mechanism?

If the lock mechanism is broken, then don’t panic and follow the given instructions properly. For example, if the lock bolt seems to malfunction while placing the key into the keyhole to unlock it, and it turns, then the mechanism must be defective. In such scenarios, you will need to exclude the missing parts.

If the issue isn't understandable, you can choose lock replacement as one of the alternatives. There are various reasons which can cause the defect in the lock mechanism.

To prevent any mishap, you should try to fix the issue as early as possible because prolonged broken lock mechanisms may invite unpleasant incidents.

How to remove a jammed deadbolt lock?

1.Remove Screws

Screws are responsible for holding the faceplate in position. These should be separated to get way inside the deadbolt lock. This process is not very simple to do, and that also works as an advantage because even burglars find it very hard to do.

There is a small manual handle that controls the movement of the lock from the interior portion; this is the part that you use to way in the workings of the deadbolt lock.

The place where you find the screws is where this manual movement of the lock is positioned. Be mindful of storing the screws in the same pattern of removal so you can easily re-screw them later. That you removed them so they can be placed back in the same manner later.

Take your time to un-screw the long screws; it can be a tedious process, but be mindful of not bending them. The place where you find the screws is where this manual movement of the lock is positioned.

2.Excluding the Faceplate:

The upcoming step is to remove the faceplate. This provides the entry of the inner mechanism of the deadbolt lock. There are various sections and components inside the lock, and they need to be kept in their required position if you want to continue using the lock after coping with its jamming.

Start with excluding the inside plate. After removing it, check the outside of the door and pull that out. This part of the deadbolt is quite different to ensure security from outside of the door.

Mainly one or two screws are used to hold it into the position.  Often the outside faceplate is positioned by a tiny grub screw. This screw is also required to be excluded before trying to remove or move the faceplate.

To make it lose, twist the plate to the side. After this, check if the lock has separated from the plate or not; if the answer isn't imperative, then separate it manually.

3.Unjamming of Deadbolt Lock:

Now it's time to separate the jam. By using a screwdriver inside the shaft, you need to move it manually. This movement will induce the loosening of the jam; from this angle, the task will be done with fewer efforts. Now you need to separate the sliding deadbolt.

To detect the look, pull the door open towards you. Unfasten the screws and take the bolt out. With the last step of substituting it, your jammed deadbolt lock problem will be resolved.

Can Deadbolt locks be Picked?

Let's discuss whether the deadbolts can be picked or not because it is the concern of many people. Of course, thieves or robbers would only do such acts of picking, so it depends on their skills as well to some extent.

But just knowing the process of opening or picking the lock doesn’t mean you can practice as well.

Here we are discussing the process to maintain the credibility of the lock for our customers; it's totally under your legitimate rights to understand whether the lock is safe or not.

After all, you are spending your hard-earned money into it, that too, to protect your hard-earned wealth inside your house.

How to Get into a Locked Deadbolt Through Screwdriver?

Step 1: Initiate the process of finding out the type of lock. To open any lock, you have to copy the action of the key. For example, the pin tumble lock is more commonly found in commercial areas and residential areas. For unlocking any of it, you need to mimic opening the lock by the key.

Step 2: take a screwdriver with a small handle for authorizing the tool in a better manner. Also, it should have a small tip for easy entry into the keyhole. If you choose a screwdriver with a small tip, it will help you easily penetrate the keyhole, so be mindful of it. It will also help you out to prevent damage to the deadbolt in any way possible.

Step 3: The screwdriver needs to be cautiously put inside the keyhole from the flat edge side of the screwdriver.

Step 4: Moving the tool from one direction to the other is advisable when placed inside the lock's keyhole. The lock has the pins where you will need to slither the edge. Be mindful that all the tips are lengthy enough to position all the tumblers up properly.

Step 5: When all the tumblers are in up position, you will need to move the screwdriver in a twisting motion. This will be quite enough in almost all situations to remove the deadbolt in its first attempt. But if this does not happen, then reposition the tool, which will help adjust the pins up and then apply further pressure while twisting it.

How to pick deadbolt locks?

Even if you are sure of choosing the best deadbolt door locks, you should double-check that it's a matter of your security.

• The Bobby Pin Unlocking: You must have seen how burglars open the locks by using a bobby in those suspense dramas. What if we say that it works? At least in some cases.

A Bobby pin can be a great alternative to open the lock. Bobby pin helps in unlocking the deadbolt by bending. Initially, the pin needs to bend in the shape of the L. However, sometimes keeping it straight without folding also works.

• By a Wrench for Picking: A tension wrench- ubiquitous household tool. The wrench should be pushed into the lock. Ensure that it is on top while pushing. As we have already mentioned, a series of pins hold the doorknob upright, so be mindful that it must reach those pins when you push the wrench. Now you are advised to use some force for lifting the pin. This will ultimately make the barrel move. Do this until all of the pins are lifting right. And that’s it; the deadbolt should be unlocked. Super easy, though it requires some time and patience.

Deadbolt Lock Brands

If you wonder which is the best deadbolt lock to buy, here is a quick list to help you.

• Kwikset: These are designated as Grade 1 by the ANSI. It uses smart key technology. This technology is helpful in the fast rekeying process, and these locks also save your pocket from the cut of locksmith fees. They don’t have a strike plate, but they can resist a lot of abuse and pressure. These also have a range of different furnishings to choose from. They provide quality, safety, and simplicity in one product.

The brand offers a range of deadbolts, including the double key deadbolt. The double-sided deadbolt gives ease of operating from both sides.

• Schlage BE365CAM619 BE365 Camelot 619 Deadbolt Lock: These are famous internationally for their security systems. The company has earned the trust of its customers with its quality products.

These provide various stylish options that will suit your home interior and door style. They use premium quality metal construction which is very tough and sturdy. Over 40 million homes are using them. In addition, they are tech-savvy, smart, keyless, and can be easily installed.

• August Smart Deadbolt Lock: As the world is heading towards digitalization and AI, this deadbolt lock brand has just added more to it. They provide everything on your fingertips like literally. They are completely based on a touch-screen mechanism that provides more convenience. Now you don’t need to worry about lost keys or stolen keys anymore. You can provide access to your friends and family members and decide how much time you allow them to have access.
• They also keep the history of every in or out movement, which can help resolve security issues if they ever arise. The system can be used with traditional deadbolt locks, and the technology is compatible with conventional lock designs. This makes it the best digital deadbolt lock of all time.

Deadbolt Lock Reinforcement

Deadbolt locks are a very efficient and secure way to guard your house, but if someone tries to kick the door frame forcibly, they can easily enter the house. But you can resolve this issue to some extent by strengthening the strike plate on the lock.

To achieve this, you will need to change the already present screws with a long screw around 3’’ to associate it with the wall stud.

For the process of reinforcing your door frame to secure it more, you will need to separate the door facing and joint a steel plate associated with the door casing along with the wall stud. Here’s how:

1. Expose the interior door facing molding from the point where the door jamb and wall associate to separate the interior door facing from the latch side.
2. Then, you will need to blade out a mortise of 1/8’’ length in the door casing along with the call. This will help in holding the steel plate with the wall and casing.
3. Drill pilot holes into the door casing and stud to attach the steel plate. Next, attach the steel plate by drilling out the holes inside the door casing and stud it.
4. To hold the steel plate in place at the door jamb, you will need to use long screws of length 1 and ½’’. For providing extra support, use the screws of length 3’’.
5. Now place the interior door facing trim modeling back into the position by nailing it.
6. Where to buy the best deadbolt locks for yourself?

Be it a bedroom deadbolt or a bathroom deadbolt, you have to check the deadbolt's look, finish, and credibility before making the final purchase. When finding the best deadbolt for the front door, you must check the available options.

You can find different deadbolt locks on Amazon, a leading eCommerce store and get great deals on some of the best deadbolt locks for home.

Be it any color or purpose, for instance, be it a bronze deadbolt or a brushed nickel deadbolt, be it brass deadbolt or black deadbolt lock, be it deadbolt lock for a bedroom door or the commercial deadbolt locks, you can get anything and everything here.

You can check the brand details, ratings, reviews and choose top-rated deadbolt locks on Amazon. You can also choose a deadbolt doorknob or deadbolt door latch, or the deadbolt door lock, depending on the type of the door.

For instance, you can check deadbolts for metal doors or any other material.

You can also choose the lock as per the width of the door, like a deadbolt for the thick door, a deadbolt for the thin door, etc. Moreover, you can also check out some of the best digital deadbolts here.

Or you can go through the available options in the nearby deadbolt hardware stores by searching “deadbolt lock near me” on Google.

Rim lock vs. deadbolt, which is the best choice?

Rim locks are positioned on the inner side of the doors. A lock mechanism is presently composed of a lockbolt and key cylinder joined to the door; it has another name called night latch. Rim locks are the ideal choice for the doors which open in the inside direction.

Rim locks tend to do low destruction to the door frame while installing. Heritage places are most likely to opt for rim locks.

Deadlocks work on the manually controlled locking mechanism by the movement of the key. This ensures a lot of effort to get the bolt back in the position, which increases their safety.

Deadbolt lock vs. mortise lock, How to Choose?

Lock chassis is used in the formation of mortise locks along with latch bolts. On the backside of the trim, roses or escutcheon and controlling trims are used.

• The door face is associated with a mortise cylinder for the keyed functions.
• Traditional cylinders need to separate the cylinder from the locked front for re-keying.

Security is the priority for selecting a door lock. For deciding the best locks among both options, two factors should be considered.

Deadlocks are considered as most safe because they are tough to penetrate. Deadbolt is the best lock as it is sturdy as well as convenient. The cost of the lock also plays a vital role in deciding the quality of the lock.

How to Choose Deadbolt Locks?

1. ANSI Grade 1 Lock Designation: There are different mechanisms to built different locks. American National Standards Institute {ANSI} has given the designation of “Grade 1” locks.ANSI uses certain standards for designating the locks. Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association {BHMA} is responsible for these standards. BHMA checks and balances the locks' standards to ensure the customer's trust in the product.
2. Deadbolts with Key Control: This kind of lock ensures that you can decide how many copies of the key should be allowed. This prevents the forging of your keys by other people who can access the keys of your lock. It also has some loopholes, but it provides extra safety in case needed.
3. Bolts persistence towards saw: Such bolts will increase the time of breaking the lock by the burglar.
4. 1-Inch lengthy Deadbolt: The longer the deadbolt, the harder it is to spread the frame and door apart. Using the longest throw on the door makes the deadbolt more effective and secure. So use the lengthiest throw that your doorframe can allow.
5. Security-Plates: These help indoor jamb as well as reduce the ease of kicking in the door. Good strike plates should have screws with a length of 3 inches along with staggered screw holes.
6. Anti-Drill characters: These help in repelling thieves from breaking the lock. The embedded case-hardened steel chips break the drill point if someone tries to break the lock by drilling it.

Are deadbolt locks universal?

When it comes to usage, yes, these high-security deadbolt locks are universally used. However, when it comes to the dimension, these may change as per their usage and country. For ensuring safety, every door should have a deadbolt lock. You can find the variety for instance,

• You can choose between exterior door knobs with deadbolt (like patio door deadbolt, garage door deadbolt, or main gate deadbolt) and interior door deadbolt with matching deadbolt locks as per the color of your door. The indoor deadbolt and outdoor deadbolt may vary based on the looks and strength.
• You can opt for a mechanical combination deadbolt or magnetic deadbolt lock if you want to choose based on material and functionality,
• you can choose between keyed deadbolt, no key deadbolt and multiple deadbolts with the same key
• You can buy the best residential locksets or industrial deadbolt, or heavy-duty deadbolt, depending upon the usage
• You can get a variety of options one-sided deadbolt, also known as a single-sided deadbolt, or double door handleset
• You can choose between modern deadbolt, antique deadbolt, decorative deadbolt or vintage deadbolt, depending upon the aesthetic.

While all these and many more options are available universally, the sizes may vary.

However, it should be noted that installing a deadbolt lock is a straightforward task unless you have a steel door. Adding a deadbolt to a metal door requires precision and expertise; for rest, you can risk doing DIY procedures, but hire an expert for metal and steel doors.

Are deadbolt locks secure?

Now that’s a fair enough question to ask. Let's answer it. This ensures more safety by making the lock breaking very difficult. Due to the need for engagement, while being close, deadbolts are safest. They follow the special mechanism where the locking device never goes into the door.

So, to sum it up, if you are looking for an in-one doorknob, the deadbolt is the answer for you!

We hope that you got all the answers to your question till now. So now we can say, have a safe house!