recommendations for good door lock?

[mfreeck]

After getting back from Defcon yesterday, converge and I went for a grocery run this morning. During the 4 hours while we were gone, someone tried to jimmy all the locks in our triplex. Fortunately, our cranksters are not very sophisticated, so they did not get in. However, the doorknob type lock is bent and stripped and needs to be replaced.

We already have a deadbolt, but it'd be nice to have another decent lock as well. I am looking for recommendations that we can buy/install and won't cost a million bucks. The landlord is interested in this problem too, so he would probably split the cost with us, so it would cut costs if the solution was a *little* on the spendy side.

Any advice (short of "get a deadbolt," which we already have) is welcomed. An argument could be made that we don't really need another lock because we already have a deadbolt, but I figure, the more locks, the better. I consider the deadbolt to be more of a backup if the first line of defense fails. Fortunately, the person didn't feel like smashing a window. Maybe because it was 2:00 in the afternoon.

Thanks in advance!

[converge]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

Interestingly enough, this video was posted to our local DCGroup list while we were in Vegas. Go Toool.

[Thorn]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

One thing you must do is make sure that the deadbolt has screws 3" long or better. The need to pass through the door frame into the building frame 2x4's. Screws any smaller than 3" can be kicked out with one or two kicks, and it won't matter how many locks or the types.

Also, if the door has a window, use a double-key deadbolt. For fire-safety, make sure you hang a key down at floor level on the interior side.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

as Thorn points out, the most common attacks you see against property in the real world are not sophisticated and pick-based, they are brute force and involve boots, bricks, or bars.

that said, to ensure your lock is rather pick-resistant, consider some of the offerings from medeco or scorpion, both of which employ very advanced sidebar systems that cannot easily be picked or bumped.

[edit: the schlage primus i believe also uses a sidebar slider system like the scorpion.]

[jur1st]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

A metal plate which is bolted to the height of the door is also an option. They told me that usually you can go to Home Depot and tell them that your door was kicked in and they will show you right to the correct product.

I guess the only people who really have these are former victims of burglary.

[renderman]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

The inner workings of a lock mean jack squat when the lock is installed in a styrofoam door.

Larger strike plates with long screws, long screws in the hinges (or floor to ceiling hinges) will do wonders. Also invest in a better deadbolt hardware. Most good deadbolts will have either a shroud that goes into the hole in the door to surround the inner workings and/or have a free spinning ring around the lock to prevent someone from getting a wrench on there.

Just my $0.02

[Computer_kid]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

Big dead bolt! That should do the trick. If you want the best, get a safe door :-)

[dYn4mic]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

Any advice (short of "get a deadbolt," which we already have) is welcomed.

Big dead bolt! That should do the trick. If you want the best, get a safe door :-)

Please add more than "get a dead bolt" as per request of the thread author. QED.

[renderman]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

If you want the best, get a safe door :-)

I've actually seen placed in old banks that are using the vault as a server room. However, most wood fram houses would'nt be able to support a vault door very well and besides, it's easier to toss a brick through a window at that point

[mfreeck]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

I've actually seen placed in old banks that are using the vault as a server room. However, most wood fram houses would'nt be able to support a vault door very well and besides, it's easier to toss a brick through a window at that point

Let's not forget that I need something AFFORDABLE. I think maybe I didn't emphasize that enough. There have been some good suggestions here... maybe I'll call a locksmith today and ask how much stuff would cost. Regarding the medeco lock.. iirc, they are expensive, and if the cranksters in my neighborhood were to catch onto the bump key rage, i believe those are actually easier to open than shitty locks. Interesting how bump keys turn everything on its head.

Thanks for the advice, and keep it coming!

Oh, I also liked the idea awhile back of the film you can put over your windows, but it looks a bit expensive. Since I am renting, I think it'll have to be skipped until I own.

[octalpus]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

Let's not forget that I need something AFFORDABLE. I think maybe I didn't emphasize that enough. There have been some good suggestions here... maybe I'll call a locksmith today and ask how much stuff would cost. Regarding the medeco lock.. iirc, they are expensive, and if the cranksters in my neighborhood were to catch onto the bump key rage, i believe those are actually easier to open than shitty locks. Interesting how bump keys turn everything on its head.

You can't bump a Medeco. They do, however, run $100+ and it's rather overkill. At that point, it's not a matter of the lock, but the strength of the door it's attached to. A better lock isn't really going to solve the original problem of your friendly neighbourhood crackheads trying to pry the doors open. You'd be better off reinforcing the door and window frames and installing shatter-proof glass to ground accessible windows.

[audit]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

Nothing like a pit bull to take care of the crackheads. Or my favorite, plenty of guns with all the locals knowing it. Our house has never been broken into and the local police say it's because I have more guns/ammo then they could ever imagine having in their department and the locals know it. EVERYONE from my 7yr old daughter to my wife knows how to shoot so that also goes in our favor.

Our maybe it's just because I'm the drunken armed redneck, who knows.

[theprez98]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

Our maybe it's just because I'm the drunken armed redneck, who knows.

That's enough to scare most people away.

[800XL]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

Along with your new lock you may want to consider getting a $3 decal that says you have 24hr security monitoring. If the thieves are amateurs, they will be likely to pass your home.

[beakmyn]

Re: recommendations for good door lock?

After getting back from Defcon yesterday, converge and I went for a grocery run this morning. During the 4 hours while we were gone, someone tried to jimmy all the locks in our triplex. Fortunately, our cranksters are not very sophisticated, so they did not get in. However, the doorknob type lock is bent and stripped and needs to be replaced.

We already have a deadbolt, but it'd be nice to have another decent lock as well. I am looking for recommendations that we can buy/install and won't cost a million bucks. The landlord is interested in this problem too, so he would probably split the cost with us, so it would cut costs if the solution was a *little* on the spendy side.

Any advice (short of "get a deadbolt," which we already have) is welcomed. An argument could be made that we don't really need another lock because we already have a deadbolt, but I figure, the more locks, the better. I consider the deadbolt to be more of a backup if the first line of defense fails. Fortunately, the person didn't feel like smashing a window. Maybe because it was 2:00 in the afternoon.

Thanks in advance!

Not sure about the laws here but in NY state it's up the property owner to maintain a reasonably safe complex. That includes but is not limited to, lighting and sufficient locks on all units.

Given that someone has already tried to break into your apartment one could with reasonable argument get the owner of the complex to pay for any needed upgrades to the security. I.E. new strike plates, dead bolts and other reinforcements as deemed necessary.

Now, it's up to the landlord to pay for all of this keeping in mind that if you decide to buy a $100 lock that it may not hold up in court as being resonable, unless you Deviant and can easily argue the case and provide the judge with full color illustrations and a demonstration.


What's reasonable? I would say deadbolts, 3.5" screws in the hinges and strike plates, perhaps even the steel plates that wrap around the door lock and/or deadbolt.


If you were to buy your own locks you may have to provide your landlord with keys and definately keep the old locks so when you move out you can put them ones back in.

Also, is the door a 2hr fire rated steel door? It may be required by code. It's definately stronger then the standard exterior door, if you don't care you can sometimes get a "scratch&Dent" door cheap (up to 75% off).

Given that the thieves tried all the doors, making yours stand out with a "don't fsck with me" attitude may convince them to try the one next door.