The Best Heavy-Duty Deadbolts to Use in Your Home

The deadbolt lock is one of your home’s first lines of defense. It’s a basic yet crucial security feature that should not be overlooked.

When a deadbolt is referred to as “heavy duty,” this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s for high-security environments—you can use it for any standard door in your home. What it means is that they’re particularly tough and durable, and that they’re not going to be as easily picked or broken by intruders.

If you’re in the market for a new heavy-duty deadbolt, you might be wondering where to begin your search. After all, there are going to be all kinds of options online or at your local hardware store.

Here’s a quick overview of what you should look for in a deadbolt:

• Double cylinder: Double-cylinder deadbolts need keys to unlock the door both from the inside and the outside. This setup prevents a burglar from being able to smash a window to reach in and unlock the door, creating an extra layer of security to prevent intrusions and security breaches.
• Anti drill: If you are concerned with getting the highest level of security for your locks, you should look into anti-drill deadbolts. One method of breaking into a home is to use a drill to cut through a lock. Anti-drill locks make this impossible, giving you some extra peace of mind as a homeowner.
• Key control: A lock with key control provides you with the ability to determine who can make duplicate copies of a key. Any time a locksmith makes copies of your keys, they are required to keep records of those keys.
• The throw: The throw (the term for the bar) on the deadbolt should be at least an inch long. Shorter deadbolt throws are easier to break open with spreader bars. Longer throws provide extra security and protection against potential intruders.
• Bump proof: Lock bumping is a process that involves taking a bump key, placing it inside the lock, tapping it several times and disabling the lock. This process began as a method used by locksmiths to open up locks for repairs, but criminals soon began exploiting this technique as well. These days, you can purchase bump-proof locks to prevent people from using this technique to gain access to your home.
• Beveled casings: If a lock has beveled casings, it will be significantly harder to break into using brute force. Certain tools used in the process of break-ins will slide right off the lock, making it much tougher for a would-be intruder to gain access to the premises.
• ANSI ratings: There are several ratings by the American National Standards Institute for deadbolt locks. If you want the best security, look for ANSI Grade 1 designation. Grade 2 and Grade 3 represent intermediate and basic residential security, respectively, while Grade 1 delivers the highest level of residential security as determined by experts.

For more information about the factors to consider when choosing the best deadbolt locks for your home, contact the team at Custom Door Hardware.

Categorised in: Door Hardware