| Moving into a new home or remodeling means | | | | You might wonder, what's the point of installing |
| thinking about cabinet hardware and cabinet | | | | window locks? After all, if a burglar wants to get in, |
| hardware products. And, it also means thinking about | | | | they will simply smash the glass. This is true, in |
| the most important house hardware of all - Locks. | | | | Hollywood. But actually, most burglars are |
| Door hardware is your home's protection against | | | | opportunists. They want to break into a house with |
| intruders. | | | | the least amount of bother, and it would be much |
| Choosing the Right Hardware | | | | better to slip in through a window than to break one. |
| These days, a deadbolt is essential for keeping your | | | | You should definitely have window locks, and make |
| home secure. Regular door locks that function inside | | | | sure that each one, downstairs and up no matter |
| the knob just can't guarantee the protection you | | | | how small, is covered. Even the tiny one in the |
| need. They can be easily broken by force. The thick | | | | bathroom should be secured. An experienced burglar |
| throw bolt of a deadbolt is nearly impossible to break | | | | can slip through just about anything, and slip right |
| through. | | | | back out again with your stuff. |
| There are two kinds of deadbolts; single cylinder and | | | | Whether to use key or thumb turn locks is the same |
| double cylinder. The difference is that single cylinder | | | | issue we dealt with earlier. If the burglar chooses to |
| deadbolts have a knob or thumb turn on the inside, | | | | break the glass, they can simply turn the thumb |
| with a key only on the outside. With a double | | | | knob; if you use a key mechanism instead, they |
| cylinder, you need a key for both sides. | | | | would have to continue breaking out glass and risk |
| If you are getting a deadbolt for an exterior door, it | | | | getting cut up coming in. |
| is usually best to get the single cylinder variety. This | | | | Even a cheap window lock will work wonders in |
| is a safety issue. If there were an emergency inside | | | | protecting your house from intruders. Make sure it is |
| the house, such as a fire, the occupants could risk | | | | one that is visible from outside. Most burglars would |
| being trapped inside or slowed down by having to | | | | rather move on to another house than deal with any |
| use a key. A single cylinder and a regular doorknob | | | | kind of difficulty getting in. |
| locks will offer enough protection to the house, and | | | | Keep in mind that locks work not only to keep your |
| also allow anyone inside to get out. | | | | house safe, but as a deterrent for would-be burglars. |
| The only exception to this is a door with windows. If | | | | In the same way that security guards deter theft by |
| there is glass on the door, it would be easy for an | | | | just being there, having good, solid, visible locks on |
| intruder to simply break the glass and reach through | | | | your doors and windows will keep most burglars |
| to the deadbolt's knob. It is usually best to consider | | | | looking for an easier house. |
| safety first and go with the single cylinder, but if | | | | Another thing to remember is that you can never |
| your house has inner and outer front doors, you can | | | | have too much home security. It is a good idea to |
| use both. | | | | keep a safe, in addition to the other safety |
| Don't Forget the Windows | | | | precautions you place in your home. |