[LanMan]

Is a front door with just a quality deadbolt secure enough? (i.e. the door knob does not lock, just the deadbolt.) Or is it important that the door knob also locks?

[21boat]

Personally I feel a good dead bolt works well enough. The added thing is make sure the deadbolt is key to key if there is glass in the door. Too many people install a key to thumb turn deadbolt. A robber could break the glass turn the thumb piece on the dead bolt and open both knob lock and dead bolt.

The dead bolt is the key hear. Now I'm waiting for a key to key dead bolt to be against building codes in time simply because if the key is not easily found , you won't be able to open the door in a fire.

[LanMan]

Thanks for the input. You are right about the double key deadbolt. In a previous house we had a door window and side lights, so we used a double key deadbolt. To deal with the "get out quickly in an emergency" issue, we kept a key on a hook and string near the door, but out of reach (and sight) if someone broke the window. The string ensured the key never left the area.

I just bought a house and want to rekey or replace the locks (for obvious reasons). Currently there are no deadbolts. So I am going to add those. But for the door into the garage, and then from the garage to the house I want to install a keyless deadbolt (Sunnect, Inc.). This would allow giving people temporary access codes when needed (e.g. to the neighbor's kid to feed the dog while we are away for the weekend) without fear of duplicate keys being made. Plus it would allow easier access into the house when carrying groceries for example. That benefit would be defeated if I had to also put a lock on the door knob. But I just want to be sure I'm not leaving the house vulnerable by doing such.

Any additional input will be appreciated.

[21boat]

My gal and I remember when we couldn't find the key to the house. Where she used to live you keep the keys in all the vehicles.

[MsCanFix]

I have this thing when I've moved into new places that just as important as the locks is getting an upgraded heavy duty deadbolt strike plate and using 3in screws to install it that way it's a bit harder to bust that door down if someone wanted to. Just a little thought.

[KISS]

Key to key is illegal here for residential, but I have them.

Dad installed one of those funky non-standard things where three pins engage on the inside.

In either case, it would be difficult to get in.

One set of personal keys is in the front door and that door is locked at night with the keys in the door. I'd still have a tough time to get in.

There is a master lock keysafe on the house with keys for the house, so lock out won't happen. Also the 911 response people (I can lookup the terminology) have the combination at their disposal, if there is a 911 call.

We had one recently due to a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) alarm and they gave us a number to call to add that information. Hopefully it will save having to replace a door.

There is a company for commercial buildings that provides a lock box usually near the entrance of the building with a key that 911 has. Forget how it works. I'd have to go to a place that has one and look up the brand. I know what it is when I see it. It's astecically pleasing and easy to find with a light.

[Fr_Chuck]

Also what does the dead bolt go into, is there a metal door frame, or does it go into the sold door frame and if so what type of wood. And heaven forbid does it only go into trim wood.

A dead bolt and the handle lock, both on a door that is merely into wood, esp a lot of the newer wood.
It will bearly slow someone down that really wants into the house.

Also the best door, metal with three locks, if your window is still glass, you are only a brick away form someone in the house,

[21boat]

also what does the dead bolt go into, is there a metal door frame, or does it go into the sold door frame and if so what type of wood. and heaven forbid does it only go into trim wood.

Most pre hungs doors that are shimmed have only the door jamb for the bolt to go into. If that wasn't padded out with lumber for a dead bolt then many time there isn't enough throw in depth to reach the jack studs.

Besides the pre hungs jambs are getting thinner and thinner
I think if you have windows on the house that is usually the biggest brake in places.

I think the best security so far is a big barking dog or two in the house and yard.

[Stratmando]

Alarm Systems work, Burglars hate Lights and Sirens.

[ballengerb1]

Another thing you can do along with what Stratmando mentions is to install dummy security cameras if you just want to deter a burglar. I have a Swan security system with one real camera and 4 fake ones that can't be distinguished from the real ones. The fakes are about $10