| Since your front door is the focal point of | | | | knob or thumbturn on the interior. |
| your home, choosing the right entry door | | | | |
| hardware is very important - not just in | | | | What Makes a Good Quality Lock |
| creating a striking first impression but in | | | | |
| securing your home against intruders. | | | | Check the GradeThe American National |
| | | | Standards Institute (ANSI) has established |
| Since your front door is the focal point of | | | | three standards: Grade 1, 2 and 3 for |
| your home, choosing the right entry door | | | | certified door hardware with Grade 1 being |
| hardware is very important. It is more than | | | | the highest security standard. Since Grade 3 |
| just creating a striking first impression. | | | | is considered to be a suitable standard for |
| It's also about securing your home against | | | | residential application, it is the grade you |
| intruders. When you go to pick out your entry | | | | will most likely find on the shelves in your |
| door hardware, keep in mind that not all of | | | | local home improvement and hardware store. If |
| them come with locking hardware. This guide | | | | you would prefer a higher grade security lock |
| will help you understand the nuts and bolts | | | | like those used in commercial applications |
| of entry door hardware. | | | | you can buy this grade directly from most |
| | | | door hardware manufacturers or ask your |
| Types of Locks | | | | contractor. |
| | | | |
| Residential locksets, for the most part, fall | | | | Forged is the BestThe best lock components |
| into two different classifications: mortise | | | | are forged rather cast. In the forging |
| or tubular/cylindrical. The advantages and | | | | process a brass rod (or "billet") is heated, |
| disadvantages of each type are rooted in the | | | | then compressed and shaped in a die under |
| way each lockset is constructed and | | | | tremendous pressure. The result is a smooth |
| installed. For extra security be sure all | | | | and dense component that is twice as strong |
| your exterior doors are protected by | | | | as its rough, die-cast counterpart. |
| deadbolts with a minimum one-inch throw."No | | | | Low-quality, stamped, plated-steel components |
| matter how high quality your lockset is, none | | | | can't even compare to forged or cast and |
| of that will matter unless it is properly | | | | aren't recommended for use on exterior doors |
| installed. | | | | because they can easily be opened by using a |
| | | | screwdriver or credit card. Another benefit |
| Cylindrical/Tubular LocksetA cylindrical | | | | to forged is that its smooth surface can |
| lockset fits into a large hole bored into the | | | | handle a high-quality, durable finish and |
| door's face and is operated by a key inserted | | | | won't tarnish or fade as easily as cast |
| into the exterior knob also called a | | | | components. |
| key-in-knob lockset. It operates by using a | | | | |
| simple latch bolt with a beveled end, which | | | | Look Inside the LockBe sure that you look |
| is spring loaded and retracts either by end | | | | inside the lock for hardened and |
| pressure or knob rotation. Since the bolt | | | | corrosion-resistant components such as |
| only extends to a half-inch-anything less | | | | phosphor bronze springs and stainless-steel |
| than an inch isn't considered very secure-it | | | | throw bolts, because chrome or brass plating |
| is best to find a cylindrical lockset that | | | | will not be able to stand the test of time. |
| comes with a deadlatch or dead locking latch | | | | |
| bolt which engages the bolt when the door is | | | | FinishesThe outer finish is probably your |
| closed to keep the latch from retracting when | | | | greatest concern because it not only enhances |
| a thin material like a credit card is | | | | the look of your door, but you'll want it to |
| inserted in the jam. Even with a deadlatch, | | | | keep its look for years to come. The top door |
| this type of lock is still considered the | | | | finish remains brass, but equally stunning |
| least secure type of door hardware. Despite | | | | are stainless steel, bronze, chrome, antique |
| its flaws, it remains a popular and | | | | pewter and satin nickel. When it comes to |
| inexpensive lockset, which is very easy to | | | | picking your finish you should consider the |
| install. | | | | elements and usage, since acid rain, |
| | | | humidity, salt air, lawn chemicals and heavy |
| Mortise LocksetA mortise lockset fits into a | | | | usage can take a toll on certain finishes, |
| rectangular pocket cut into the door's edge | | | | especially polished brass. Stainless steel in |
| and it usually comes with a deadbolt that is | | | | a satin or bright finish or an oil rubbed |
| an integrated part of the locking mechanism, | | | | bronze finish is recommended for difficult |
| so when you turn the key from the outside it | | | | conditions. Aesthetically speaking, an oil |
| releases both the knob and the deadbolt. A | | | | rubbed finish will develop a distinctive, |
| mortise lockset will not only afford you a | | | | wear-burnished patina over time. Warranties |
| good nights sleep, because it's the securest | | | | on finishes can range from 10 years to life, |
| lock available, but it is aesthetically | | | | so be sure to read the package carefully and |
| pleasing and comes in three styles: Knob, | | | | look for products with a lifetime, |
| lever or handle and a multitude of design | | | | anti-tarnish warranty. |
| options. All of them offer easy operation. | | | | |
| | | | Designer note: If you want to add to the |
| Deadbolt LocksA deadbolt lock is considered a | | | | allure of your door you might want to go with |
| fundamental and primary piece of exterior | | | | a manufacturer that offers additional |
| door security hardware. Its blunt-ended bolt | | | | accessories to coordinate with your lock like |
| has a minimum of one-inch throw and can't be | | | | entry lamps, door knocker, house address |
| retracted by end pressure. Unlike a lockset | | | | numbers, kick plates, mail slot trims and |
| which has a projecting knob, a good deadbolt | | | | much more. |
| has a low locked-side profile to protect the | | | | |
| cylinder or lock subassembly from being | | | | CostDoor locking hardware generally ranges |
| forced open. Deadbolts are available in | | | | between $15 to $1500, but you should allow at |
| single and double-cylinder (use is restricted | | | | least $60 per exterior door for a Grade 2 |
| by local codes) configurations. The most | | | | keyed entry knob and deadbolt and $250 for a |
| popular style is the single-cylinder deadbolt | | | | mortise lockset. |
| which has a key on the exterior surface and a | | | | |