Deadbolt Lock: All You Need to Know

The door is a line of defense to protect the safety of the home, and the safety of you and your family is very important to you. So, how do you choose the right deadbolt? In today’s guide, we’ll answer all your questions about deadbolt locks. Whether you want to know the definition, how it works or the types, you’ll find everything here. Read on to learn more.

1. What is a deadbolt lock and how it works

A deadbolt is a lock that is mortised on a wooden door. Then, using the keys on either side of the door, secure the door by inserting the bolts into the jamb. It generally provides very good security. Since a deadbolt does not require any spring operations, it is considered “dead”. The deadbolt lock needs to turn the physical key to open the door lock, which is a kind of economical and effective lock to protect the safety of the place. Additionally, the absence of a spring operation makes deadbolts very difficult to open with equipment other than the correct key, and certainly very difficult to pick. This greatly increases the security of the home.

2. The composition of the deadbolt lock

Let’s take a look at the components of a deadbolt lock.

• Lock body: The lock body is the largest and is the outer shell of the door lock, which is cylindrical and holds all the locking parts in place.
• Thumb Knob: Small knob operation used to lock or unlock the door.
• Bolt: The bolt is the portion of the door that protrudes from the lock into the door frame and is placed in the strike plate to keep the door locked. The size, dimensions, and material of the bolts in each lock are different.
• Swivel: The swivel extends from the outer cylinder through the door to the inside of the door. The thumb lock attaches to the turn piece to operate your lock.
• Cylinder: The cylinder is located inside the housing and is to protect the door lock from prying or tampering.
• Strike Plate: Used to reinforce the part where the deadbolt is.
• Keyhole: The keyhole is the hole through which the key operates the deadbolt, the correct key is inserted into the keyhole and twisted so that the lock opens when a series of pins line up.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of using a deadbolt lock

Before purchasing a deadbolt lock, you need to understand the pros and cons of deadbolt locks.

1) Advantages

• High security: This is the most obvious feature of deadbolt locks. Because its door lock is generally made of steel, its appearance is extremely hard and it is not easy to damage. Additionally, the construction of the deadbolt lock makes it difficult to pick and tamper with. And it can be locked from the inside without a key.
• Good Durability: As said above, the deadbolt lock is not easy to be broken, so it has a long service life.
• EASY INSTALLATION: The deadbolt lock is very easy to install, just you need to punch a hole in the door and install it. Despite the fact that you don’t need a professional to install it, you can do it yourself.
• Inexpensive: Deadbolt locks are very inexpensive compared to smart locks, running around $10 to $45.

2) Disadvantages

• Not entirely safe: Yes, deadbolt locks are extremely difficult to pick, however, some thieves can open them if they use some pretty destructive tools. Don’t worry too much, destructive tools will make a lot of noise and you’ll be alerted too.
• Inconvenient: Using a deadbolt lock means you need to use the key to close or unlock the deadbolt when you leave or come home, and you need to take the key with you. This is inconvenient.
• If there is a fire, you may be trapped inside If you use a double-cylinder deadbolt, you will need to use the key to open the door when you leave the room. If there is a fire, it will cause delays in escape, which is very dangerous.

Whether to install a deadbolt lock needs to be considered according to your own situation and combined with the advantages and disadvantages of the deadbolt lock.

4. Types of deadbolt locks

There are several types of deadbolt locks.

1) Single-cylinder deadbolt

Single-cylinder deadbolts are the most commonly used deadbolt type. This deadbolt type is widely used at main entrances and requires a key to lock and unlock from the outside and comes with a thumb turn that allows you to lock and unlock the door from the inside. The classroom deadbolt allows the lock to be unlocked with a thumb turn, but cannot be locked without the key. This prevents children from locking themselves in the room.

2) Double-cylinder deadbolt

Unlike single-cylinder deadbolts, double-cylinder deadbolts require a key on both the inside and outside of the lock. These locks are mostly used in homes where the entry door has glass windows and doors as it prevents a thief from entering through the window and unlocking the door. One thing worth noting, when using a dual door lock, make sure your key is within easy reach in case you are unable to open the door in the event of an emergency.

3) Vertical deadbolt

A vertical deadbolt is one in which the deadbolt moves up and down rather than horizontally, and it’s mounted on top of the door. This makes it more difficult for a thief to use a crowbar or other tool to pry open the door. Increased security. But this type of deadbolt is also bulky, which can be an inconvenience for some.

4) Electronic lock

Electronic door locks allow you to achieve keyless entry by adding a keypad or touch screen to the door lock for your convenience.

5) Smart lock

Unlike electronic locks, smart locks can connect to your home network or Wi-Fi and are compatible with the rest of your smart home. for easy access and programming. You can monitor the status of your door lock at any time from your smartphone, and you can also remotely access the door lock and command it to lock or unlock.

6) Rim lock tongue

Edge deadbolts are specifically installed on the inside of the door, not the outside, and are usually near the door handle. Some homeowners like this design because it allows the door to automatically lock after it is closed. However, this deadbolt is not as secure as other types of deadbolts because it can be opened externally using brute force.

7) Mortise lock

Due to the deadbolt and latch inside, the mortise lock is more secure than the above types of deadbolts and is generally installed on anti-theft doors. Generally, according to the function of the handle, it is divided into three types: single-action mortise door locks, double-action mortise door locks, and quick-release mortise door locks.

5. How to choose the right deadbolt locks

So, with so many deadbolts on the market, how do you choose which one is best for you? For your consideration, here are some suggestions.

• Choose a good quality deadbolt: such as one with an anti-drill feature, beveled casing, or hardened steel. A good quality deadbolt will reduce the risk of your home being burglarized and last longer.
• Sufficient budget: Of course, budget issues should be your first consideration. We recommend that you choose the best deadbolt lock within your budget.
• Choose a deadbolt lock with a high level of security: Deadbolt locks come in three different grades that indicate their level of security. The best grade for a deadbolt lock is Grade 1.
• Easy to install: Choose a deadbolt that is easy to install to save you from looking for professional personnel to install it on your door, thus saving your door lock cost.

All in all, choosing a suitable deadbolt lock requires your own judgment based on your actual situation. For example, if your door is near a window, you can choose a double deadbolt; if you want the best security, you might consider a more expensive mortice lock.

6. Deadlatch or deadbolt

Deadlatch locks itself when closed, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to lock your home every time you go out, which is very convenient. But all you need is the key to unlock it. So how do you choose between the two? If you want to automatically lock your door by simply pulling it, you should be using Deadlatch. On the other hand, if you want to add an extra layer of security to a door that already has a knob installed, you should go for the Deadbolt.

In fact, the main goal of deadlatch and deadbolt is the same, to prevent intruders from entering the property. When choosing the right lock for your home, consider the type of security you need. You can choose to combine the two types of locks for extra protection.

7. How to install a deadbolt lock

Deadbolt locks typically cost between $25 and $300, depending on quality. If you want to install a deadbolt lock yourself, here are some suggestions for you.

First, the tools you need are as follows:

• Electric drill
• Keyhole saw
• Spade bit
• Utility knife
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Pencil
• Ruler

You can then install it as follows:

1. When the bolt is installed, the door needs to be opened, so that the handles of the inner door and the outer door can be operated at the same time during the installation process.
2. Use a hole saw to drill holes in the face; drill from both sides to prevent cracking.
3. Drill the edge holes with a spade bit.
4. Deadbolts should be inserted into edge holes and their outline should be marked.
5. Cut out the mortise for the deadbolt.
6. The deadbolt should be screwed to the edge of the door.
7. Screw the deadbolt mechanism onto the door with the key cylinder on the outside and the turn bar on the inside.
8. Mark the end of the deadbolt with a felt tip pen.
9. Close the door, unlatch it, and mark the door frame.
10. Use the strike plate to mark the deadbolt hole in the door frame.
11. Use a spade bit to drill the deadbolt hole in the door post.
12. Use a utility knife to mark the mortise outline of the strike plate.
13. Cut out the strike plate mortise with a chisel.
14. Place the strike plate into the jamb mortise and secure it with long screws.
15. Close the door and test the deadbolt.

8. Common problems with deadbolt locks

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about deadbolt locks.

1) Can a locksmith open a door lock?

If you are locked out, don’t worry, this is when you need to find a professional locksmith to help you unlock the door. There are several ways for a locksmith to open a deadbolt that is locked from the inside. One of the most common methods is to use a pickaxe. This is usually done when the door is not fully closed, which means there is a small space between the door and the frame. A locksmith will introduce a pick here to try to push and turn the plug.

Another way to open the deadbolt from the inside is to use a tension wrench. It is usually inserted into a keyway for turning. Tension wrenches are also used to hold the plug in place while the pick pushes and turns it.

2) Does the latch keep you safe?

If you install a deadbolt, it will be very difficult for a thief to break the lock and get in. This shows that a door latch is very useful for keeping you safe.

3) How to judge whether someone has touched my lock?

• Your lock isn’t working properly: When your lock isn’t working properly, look around for any obvious warning signs of damage. The best-case scenario is that your lock is malfunctioning for other reasons, at which point you just need to repair the malfunction.
• Micro scratches around the keyhole: A thief will use a small pick or flathead screwdriver to pry the pins out of the lock until they are all engaged and the lock turns. When these gadgets wiggle inside the lock, they can cut into the edges and leave marks. Tiny scratches around the keyhole could be a sign someone is trying to pick your lock.
• Lock, door, or door frame visibly bent or deformed: When you come home from get off work and see that your door lock shows obvious signs of damage or unnatural wear, it’s likely that a burglar is trying to break into your home using sheer brute force.

When encountering the above situations, the best way to deal with them is to keep calm and call the police.

4) How to maintain the door lock

1. Make sure the door lock is properly installed and ready to lock
2. Check door screws and flaps
3. Test your deadbolts and deadbolts
4. Regular cleaning of door locks
5. Lubricate the inside of the lock every year
6. Replace worn keys anytime

5) When should a new deadbolt be replaced?

Sometimes it’s more cost-effective to replace a lock than repair it, so when should you replace your deadbolt? Below are some common scenarios.

• The key doesn’t fit perfectly in the lock: We all know that the only way to open a deadbolt lock is with a key, and if the key doesn’t fit perfectly in the lock, then the only solution is to replace the deadbolt.
• Deadbolt not aligned with deadbolt plate: If the deadbolt is out of alignment with the deadbolt plate, this means the door lock will not function.
• The lock won’t turn for some reason: If the key won’t turn in the lock, and there’s no apparent reason for the problem, it may need repair or replacement.

9. Conclusion

Always install and use door locks correctly, and using the correct type of door lock is an important part of securing your home. I hope this guide helps you better understand what deadbolt locks are really for and why you should use them. If you still have questions about choosing a deadbolt lock, please contact iLockey and we can help you find the right deadbolt lock.