Need Advice on Door Locks

[benEzra]

In a thread a couple of months ago about which residential door locks are the best, several people recommended the "Kwikset Titan" locks. I've searched around the 'net and on the Kwikset web site, and all I can find are Kwikset "Security" (standard), "Maximum Security," and "Ultramax Security." The only "Titan" locks I can find seem to be a separate company (e.g., http://www.closet-masters.com/Mfg/titan.htm).

Could some of you lock gurus please clarify? How good are the non-Titan Kwikset models I mentioned above? Has the name "Kwikset Titan" been superseded?

Thanks!

 

[Josey]

I went to Lowes. The Kwikset Ultramax is what I bought. You should replace the door hinge and latch plate screws with 3" galvanized deck screws. My door frames are 4 sandwiched, glued and screwed 2X4s with a 2X10 header. The door is screwed in with several 3" deck screws. All of the frame/latch/hinge screws are 3" deck screws. A burglar would be better off with a K-12 saw and cutting through the brick wall.

 

[Lord Grey Boots]

Don't forget armored strikeplates and door reinforcers around the lock.

The tough lock won't help if the door breaks or the strike plate gets torn out.

I went with the High Security Schlage dead bolts. From what I could tell the Kwikset locks were not ANSI rated, which made me nervous.

 

[Norton]

The Titans are what the locksmith put on the house when we had it re-keyed. They seem very sturdy.

One suggestion I saw somewhere here on THR was to take pieces of rafter tie and sandwich it between the door frame and studs. Helps to reinforce the frame somewhat. Since we were putting new moulding up around the house, it seemed like a little cheap insurance against attempted door kick ins.

 

[molonlabe]

I don't buy cheap locks but I don't but expensive ones either. When I went to firefighting academy the forced entry part convinced me of the futility of trying to keep the BG’s out. Alarms are better. Even the best doors Steel and recessed locks slowed me down for about a minute to get the jacks to spread the jamb. Normal locks even the best about 15 seconds. Changed my whole feeling about security.

 

[DigMe]

Normal locks even the best about 15 seconds. Changed my whole feeling about security.

I think the idea with most of us is not to keep the bad guys outside doing their best to try and get in while we sit on the couch sipping Margaritas and laughing at their futile attempts to gain entry to our fortress. The idea, at least for me, is to slow them down and give a bit of warning. 15 seconds is a LONG time compared to one kick and they're in. That's certainly long enough for me to hide my wife, get the shotgun and grab some extra mags for the 9mm that's usually on my belt. That was 15 seconds for you even with fireman's tools. But even if it was still just 15 seconds of hard kicking and shoving it's still a decent amount of warning time.

brad cook

 

[firearms_instructor]

If you're willing to spend upwards of $100 per lock then I recommend Medeco locksets, with a good wraparound kickplate to reinforce the door.

I like the visual of sitting on my couch sipping Margaritas while laughing at the futility of someone trying to penetrate my fortress. I like the visual even better with my Benelli and Colt .45 by my side as I check their attempted progress from the top of the stairs leading down to the front door. Aaah, NICE Margaritas, amigo!

 

[halvey]

FWIW, when I worked at Menards (a local Home Depot/Lowe's type store), we got mre broken Kwikset's back than anything else. Maybe they've improved, but we never got a Schlage back while I worked there and various locksmiths highly recommend Schlage.

 

[Teufelhunden]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but a question for those folks who are spending copious amounts of money on door locks to secure their home: What are you doing with your windows?

Most homes now have a window or two. Were I trying to get into a house and kicking the door only resulted in a sore foot, I'd move to a window. Excluding bars or grates over your windows, how is one supposed to secure them?

The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that trying to secure your house and maintaining one that doesn't look like a fortress are mutually exclusive. I do lock my door when I leave, but like the old saying goes: "Locks are to keep honest people out."

-Teuf

 

[bcochran]

locks

Some points of information.
Who commits most home burglaries? Answer: part 1: truant male teeners; part 2: your kid's friends; 3. third place is your own kids.

How do most burglars get into the home? Answer: part 1: through an unlocked back door.

There are serial and professional cat burglars. They are rare, but they do occur.

My burglaries: 1. customers of a neighbor two doors down who was a doper and safe house for dope shipments - got a ladder from outside; 2. my son's best friend; 3. an attempt by a neighbor when I llived in a building downtown. Tried channel lock pliers. Defeat by a simple, inside the door chain lock that was also set. Gave the appearance that someone was home.

 

[molonlabe]

Brad

Ah, If it's time your looking for then when I lived in the NYC area they had what they called the NY lock or police lock. It was a steel plate bolted to the floor and door with a metal bar that ran 45 degrees to the door. It stops the battering rams used by swat teams. Of course you have to be in there to use it but it works pretty good because it isn't expected. When the door dosn't move then it's ax time for the hinges and striker.

just some nifty information for the bunker builders.