Author Topic: New locks for doors - any recommendations?  (Read 1107 times)

Swat

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New locks for doors - any recommendations?
« on: July 11, 2020, 07:18:32 AM »
We will be moving into a new home (residential, safe neighborhood) later this summer and plan on switching out the locks on our exterior doors. A quick cursory google search shows there are several options available - varying safety features, wifi enabled, key code entry, "smart locks", different manufacturers, etc... I was curious if the community has any recommendations for manufacturers, specific models, recommended features, etc...

ROF Expat

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Re: New locks for doors - any recommendations?
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2020, 05:00:25 PM »
If you don't have any significant security threats, I think any decent lock from a reputable company like Yale or Schlage should be fine.  If you really need a high security lock, I like Medeco.  For most people, actually using your locks (and alarms) counts for a lot more than the hardware itself.  If you do upgrade to serious locks, you need to make sure your your door and strikeplate are of equal quality and look for other weak points. 

Is there a specific reason you want to replace the locks?  I can see why you don't want old keys to work, but unless the locks are really poor quality or from an unknown company, you will probably save money by just rekeying the existing locks.   Personally, I'd call a couple of local (reputable and fully bonded) locksmiths and tell them exactly how any and what kind of locks I had and ask them for an estimate to rekey them.  If my employer had an existing (positive) relationship with a locksmith, I'd consider that locksmith as well.  If you choose from one of those estimates, you'll have an existing relationship with a local locksmith, which can be a handy thing to have in the future.  A locksmith can also be a good source of information on what level of security you need.  That said, rekeying a lock isn't rocket science, and you can probably do it yourself if you are reasonably handy. 

Congrats on the new home!

I can't comment on wifi and smart locks.  They seem like needless expense and complexity to me, but I have friends who love them, and I admit to being a bit of a Luddite. 

PDXTabs

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Re: New locks for doors - any recommendations?
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2020, 11:05:32 AM »
I like the high end Kwikset stuff that you can rekey yourself, like the Kwikset 980. These are sort of mid-range locks, harder but not impossible to pick or bump-key. But at my house you would just break a window.

EDITed to add - but if you just want to change the keys then you can just take them off and haul them down to your local locksmith. They'll rekey them for a reasonable price.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 12:50:01 PM by PDXTabs »

Papa bear

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Re: New locks for doors - any recommendations?
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2020, 03:14:53 PM »
I have always been a Schlage guy, we used them everywhere for personal houses, rentals, etc. 

Though for the past few years, everything has been switching over to the kwikset rekey it yourself.  Lowe’s and depot at some locations have stopped rekeying locks for landlords. This has been a huge pain in the ass and kwikset has been taking my business whenever we need new locks. 

Schlage always held up great for me (10+ years with hard tenant use) and i haven’t yet had any problems with the new kwikset locks, though my timeline is still much shorter. 


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Isapainter

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Re: New locks for doors - any recommendations?
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2020, 09:19:01 AM »
As another user mentioned the kwikset smartkey function is helpful because it enables one to rekey your own lock later (with their new key kit).  After reading Not so great reviews about “smart locks” connected to the internet we opted for a Kwikset keypad Lock (Kwikset 909CNT) and love it. I saved a little by Installing only the deadbolt lock and using an interior non locking handle for the lower because I figured I would always lock the deadbolt. It’s really nice not needing to bring a key when I walk the dog.

Travis

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Re: New locks for doors - any recommendations?
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2020, 05:04:03 AM »
The apartment we're renting has a keypad attached to the deadbolt. It's not connected to the internet which I think is a good move, and it's nice to not have to worry about making sure you brought your house key with you.

BlueHouse

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Re: New locks for doors - any recommendations?
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2020, 06:54:11 AM »
I LOVE my electronic wifi-enabled keyless locks that are connected to my security system.  I have a different entry code for different people and my housecleaners are set up on a time function so their entry code only works on a certain day of the week.  I love no longer carrying keys around and having the doors automatically lock (my family members who visit seem to not understand that doors need to be locked in the city)

The only thing I would recommend AGAINST if you choose a smart lock is if the screen/touchpad is in the sun all day long, then go for actual buttons to push rather than a digital screen.  I've had my lock for over 5 years and may need to replace it because most of the numbers are no longer visible in the sun and the screen looks all crackly. 

I have the Yale touchscreen deadbolt

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!