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