Door Lock

To help keep a home secure, it is important to choose a good door lock. ANSI designation grade deadbolt locks are the best choice for exterior doors, doors to a garage, especially if it is attached to your home. The assumption that the builder of your home installed a lock according to a building code is an assumption that many people wrongly make. No building code requires a lock at all and there is no monitoring of the quality of locks used. Chances are that the contractor used one of the cheapest locks available, to minimize their own cost.

Why does quality matter?

• A good quality deadbolt lock can be a deterrent to a potential criminal. Fast and easy are the requirements of most home burglars, and a good quality lock will not be fast or easy to break, meaning many will move on to the next target.
• Doors that provide entry into a garage are often targeted by criminals because these doors are overlooked where security is concerned. This gives the burglar an advantage of a quick entry, and a place to hide while he or she continues to break into your home. Spending the extra money to put a high-quality lock on a garage door could save a home from a break-in.

Features to look for in a lock

• Double-cylinder deadbolt locks can be dangerous in situations where fast escape is needed from the home, such as during a fire. If this type of lock is chosen, precious time could be wasted searching for the key to get out.
• The casing or housing of the lock should be made of hardened steel and should be beveled. This reduces the chance of having the lock hammered or pried off. An anti-drill feature should be chosen as well, because it will prevent the lock mechanism from being drilled out by a criminal.