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Door lock sets

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K Frame:
If someone wants in, they are going to get in.

Wonderfully hardened doors with $500 lock sets?

How are your windows looking? All big and glassy? Great big patio doors in the back of the house with huge panes of glass?

Thief: Mr Window, meet Mr. Deck Chair.

It makes absolutely no sense to spend $5,000 on a new armored door with a high-end lockset if you have a bunch of vinyl clad double pane double hung windows that have the security rating of Eric Swalwell.

That's why I always sort of chuckle when someone says NEVER EVER BUY A HOME CENTER LOCK! THEY'RE CHEAP! THEY'RE NOT SECURE! YOU'LL COME HOME AN ALL YOUR *expletive deleted*it WILL BE GONE AND YOU'LL HAVE TO WEAR A BARREL!

Tokugawa nailed it with this: "Security is a layered system, no sense putting in a great lock in a crap door or vice versa."

RocketMan:
A couple of large dogs that think burglars are a snack food make a good deterrent.  From what I have read, four out of five incarcerated burglars agree.

230RN:

--- Quote from: Kingcreek on February 04, 2023, 09:20:04 AM ---Take this opportunity to harden the frame and hinges while you’re at it.
My Schlage locks have been durable. Avoid tru-bolt.

--- End quote ---


I was going to suggest pulling a screw out of the door frame lock plate to check its length and hence strength.    I put longer screws in my apartment front door lock plates. (Don't tell anybody since this is not my property, but the original screws only looked long enought to leep the lock plate from falling off the frame and that was about it, strength-wise.)

Another thing I learned form bitter experience is make sure you have regular keys safely squirreled away outside in case you lock yourelf out.  It happens, don't sneer at the possibility.

Northwoods:

--- Quote from: RocketMan on February 05, 2023, 10:30:53 AM ---A couple of large dogs that think burglars are a snack food make a good deterrent.  From what I have read, four out of five incarcerated burglars agree.


--- End quote ---

Kenai, our 3 year old male German shepherd is a duffus, and sometimes has a very delayed reaction to people arriving, but once he realizes someone is there he can be legitimately scary.  A burglar would likely *expletive deleted*it his pants when Kenai figured out he was there.

Tundra, our 1 year old female German shepherd is the sweetest dog ever, but she also loves to eat whatever critters Kenai kills.  She probably go full viscous mode if Kenai did too.

tokugawa:
Sliding glass doors are an invitation...
 
Windows can be inviting, or not- any window chest high or more is tough to climb in, different window types are easier or harder to pry open, and security film can make a window troublesome to break through.

What is beside the door is as important as the door- a sidelight or a thin sheetrock-vinyl sided foam wall can be broken through to get at the deadbolt from inside, regardless of how stout the door is.

Doors do best with a couple pieces of 3/4" ply put between the studs on each side, to resist the above, and also to keep the jamb from being pried sideways and thus freeing the bolt.

If someone is serious about door security, it would be prudent to cut back the siding a bit to address the jamb-stud interface at the same time as installing a new steel jamb and door. At this level, a deadbolt less subject to bump-key would be a good idea.

Speed of entry is really important- if it takes time, it increases risk for the miscreant.

Most entries are through unlocked doors or glass sliders.

Remember- no matter how safe your area is, it only takes ONCE.  Our safe little rural area in Western WA. had a double murder here a few months ago- some @#$% drug-bum broke into a home looking for stuff to sell. Killed the couple in their bed. I am not positive, but seem to recall he got in through a sliding glass door. POS was staying in a run down trailer next door.

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