Is It A Good Idea To Have A Deadbolt Lock

You may be wondering is it a good idea to have a deadbolt lock. After all, you already may own a doorknob that locks, on your front door. Normal doorknob locks  provide some security, but nowhere near the security of a dead bolt mechanism. When you install a new door knob on your front door, you may notice something. They tend to last few years, and then they wear out. This is because the mechanism is constantly turned and being used, all the time. On the other hand, a dead bolt locking mechanism is only used when you are securing the door. It does not receive the wear and tear of standard doorknobs. Dead bolt locks are made to be stronger than doorknobs. In most cases, they are designed with security in mind. They will last longer than doorknobs, because they usually contain heavier grade hardware. This makes them a very good security investment. A dead bolt locking mechanism is very difficult to pick or jimmy, compared to a standard doorknob locking mechanism. The only way that a dead bolt can be opened, is to move the cylinder. On the other hand, doorknob locks can often be bypassed with something as simple as a credit card. This is because the mechanism does not need to be turned, to open the door. All you need to do, is move the latch inward, and the door opens without turning the knob. Another area that a dead bolt assembly is more secure than a doorknob, is on doors with windows. It is not hard to defeat the security of a door with windows, if there is only a door knob keeping you out. All you need to do is break out the window, and reach inside. Once your hand is inside, you can unlock the doorknob by simply twisting it, or turning the locking mechanism. If you own a door with windows, you can easily invest in a double cylinder dead bolt assembly. With this kind of mechanism, you must use a key to open it from the inside, as well as the outside. If someone breaks a window, they still cannot get the door open, as they need to possess a key to get in. A standard front door with a doorknob assembly is not hard for someone to kick in, and gain entry to a residence. However, you can invest in a deadbolt assembly and a metal plate that fits over the door jamb. This makes kicking in a door, much harder. The best thing to do, is utilize both kinds of locks. You can have them both use the same key for convenience, and be more secure. Summary Is it a good idea to have a deadbolt lock? The answer to that question should be yes, because they are much more secure than a standard doorknob. They are harder to pick or defeat than doorknob locks, and even if someone breaks the window, they cannot open a double cylinder deadbolt mechanism, without a key. However, the best thing to have is both locks that take the same key.