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What is a deadbolt

Today many people use deadbolt locks for their front doors. You might be curious why these locks are that popular. They are one of the best ways to enhance your home security. Deadbolts are really hard to pick and almost impossible to open with the help of a credit card or knife. These locks are made of solid materials, so they are resistant to various attacks.

There are two types of deadbolt locks – single-cylinder and double-cylinder ones. The first type is quite common. It has a keyhole on the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. It’s extremely convenient, as, in case of an emergency, you won’t have to search for a key. The double-cylinder one requires a key on both sides. It is considered to be the most secure option.

Sure Lock & Key knows everything about deadbolts and we want to share our knowledge with you.

What is the difference between deadbolt locks and regular locks

We have already discussed what a deadbolt lock is. Now let’s discuss its main advantages and disadvantages and how different it is from other locks. Let’s compare deadbolt locks and locks with latches and decide which type of lock is the best for the front door.
So, a door latch mechanism consists of a cylinder, a latch and a handle or knob. These locks are usually operated with a key from the outside and from the inside. Also, they can be opened by turning the knob. The latch part is connected to the handle or knob, so when you press or turn them, the latch gets released. These locks are really convenient and affordable.
Deadbolt locks are stronger and more solid than latch locks. They are usually composed of brass, zinc, bronze, or steel. So, unlike other locks, deadbolts are way more resistant to bumping, drilling and other attacks. They are way harder to pick than regular locks. If you own the double-cylinder one, it’s almost impossible to unlock it without the original key.
deadbolt lock on old door
However, their high-security level might become their biggest disadvantage as well. In case of an emergency, like a fire, it might be quite hard to open the door and get out of the building.
deadbolt lock on old door

What type of deadbolt should I get

Today there are so many door lock options out on the market, so choosing one might be hard. So, what type of deadbolt is the best for your door? We created a list of the most popular and secure deadbolt locks.
  • Schlage B60N is a single-cylinder deadbolt that is quite popular because of its high security and affordability. After passing a variety of tests, it received a Grade 1 rating. This lock can withstand various attacks, like bumping, hammering, drilling, etc. This lock has a tumbler with five pins that are uniquely shaped which makes it much harder to pick.
  • Kwikset 980 is as popular as the previous option. It’s a deadbolt lock with a Grade 1 rating. It is equipped with a side-locking mechanism which makes it way more resistant to bumping. This lock is composed of solid materials and it is quite durable. It can resist different types of attacks. Another advantage it has is a SmartKey system. It allows you to rekey this lock on your own.
  • Segal SE 15361 Deadbolt Door Lock is a single-cylinder deadbolt lock made of bronze. It is equipped with a jimmy-proof design which makes it even more secure. It is affordable and easy to install. This lock is resistant to any forced entry.
kwikset 980
So, all these options have their benefits and they’ll provide your house with a high level of protection. So which one to choose is completely up to you. If you need assistance with the installation process, you might use professional residential locksmith services.
kwikset 980

Are deadbolt locks illegal

One of the questions we receive regularly is – are deadbolt locks illegal? You might think, why is this question common? Well, in general, deadbolt locks, especially double-cylinder ones, might be quite hard to unlock in case of an emergency like a fire. So, if a fire breaks out, looking for a key in a situation like that might be complicated and can cause a lot of stress.
However, there’s no official law in the United States that bans deadbolt lock installation. Some states or cities might have separate laws that prohibit the usage of double-cylinder deadbolts because of fire safety. Also, some buildings might restrict the usage of deadbolt locks as well.
However, if you’re thinking about a deadbolt installation and you have some concerns regarding fire safety, you might choose a single-cylinder deadbolt lock. It offers a high level of protection and can be easily opened from the inside.

Summing up

So, we can all agree that a deadbolt lock is a great addition to your home security. It is made of sturdy materials, making it resistant to most criminals' attacks. Also, it is almost impossible to pick or open with a credit card. These locks offer a higher level of protection than any other mechanical locks. However, they have some drawbacks as well. For example, double-cylinder deadbolts might be quite hard to operate in case of an emergency.
If you still have any questions regarding deadbolt locks or decide to install one, contact Sure Lock & Key. We’ll gladly help you.

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How to change a door lock cylinder

A cylinder is the core of the lock and the place where you insert the key. It is also the part that carries out the most important function that your lock was created for – protecting you, your loved ones and your assets. The cylinder has several pins that shift into place when you put a specific key inside. When people have their locks rekeyed, it actually means that they reset their cylinder. Lock cylinder replacement is one of the most popular services we provide. However, still many people don’t know they have this option and go for a whole lock replacement. Sure Lock & Key is always ready to help you. We are therefore now going to provide you with insights on how to change a door lock cylinder. If you prefer to do everything without help from the outside, you may use our suggestions. Let’s dive in!