Deadbolts

Deadbolt Locking Options

When shopping for a deadbolt, it's important to know that there are four different deadbolt locks and they each have different functions and purposes.

1. Single Cylinder - keyed entry on the exterior of the door and a thumb-turn latch on the interior of the door.
2. Double Cylinder - keyed entry on both the exterior and the interior of the door.
3. Single Sided - only accessible on the interior of the door via a thumb-turn latch (no keyed entry).
4. Keyless - keypad on the exterior of the door (occasionally accompanied by a keyed entry), the interior of the keyless deadbolt typically features a thumb-turn latch for locking.

When determining which deadbolt is right for your home, you need to evaluate the level of security that each door requires, and how each door will need to be accessed. Keyless entry doors are the most secure, but they are typically only necessary on primary entry doors in the home. Single cylinder deadbolts are the most traditional locking option, and they can be installed on most exterior doors.

Deadbolt Lock Styles

In addition to different deadbolt types, you can also choose from a wide range of deadbolt styles and metal finishes. It's a good idea to match your new hardware to the existing hardware in the home. We are proud to offer a great variety of styles, from classic round deadbolts that are almost flush with the door, to more modern and stylized locks that feature specialized back plates and a wide range of colors. Whatever your door hardware preferences are, we have the deadbolt to match it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a single cylinder deadbolt?

Single cylinder deadbolts have a thumb turn on the inside and a key cylinder on the outside. These are the most commonly used deadbolts.

What is a double cylinder deadbolt?

Double cylinder deadbolts have a key cylinder on both sides of the door. A double cylinder deadbolt requires a key to unlock on both sides of the door. In the event a burglar broke the glass in your door, they would still need a key to unlock the door. These deadbolts are far less common and are not recommended unless there is another exit with a single cylinder deadbolt nearby. Our opinion is that if someone is willing to break the glass in your door, they will likely figure out a way to enter even if you have a double cylinder lock.

What is a single-sided deadbolt?

A single-sided deadbolt has only a thumb turn on the inside. It can only be locked or unlocked using the thumb turn on the inside of the door.

Can a door locked with a deadbolt be kicked in?

Deadbolts have a 1" throw bolt that extends into a metal strike in the jamb which (if installed correctly) has two 3" screws attaching the strike plate into the jamb. So the deadbolt throw would be very difficult to break with a kick. It would be the door jamb that would break. So yes, the door could be kicked in, but it is typically the door jamb itself that fails, not the lock.

Are deadbolts safe?

Deadbolts use a 1" throw bolt that extends into the jamb, so they are more secure than a keyed knob or lever which would have a curved spring latch. Deadbolts could be picked like a knob, but are harder to kick in than a keyed knob or lever. It's important when installing a deadbolt to make sure the door has a solid jamb around it, especially where the deadbolt strike is mounted. When kicked in, it is typically the jamb that fails before the deadbolt.

Can someone break into a deadbolt lock?

The key cylinder in a deadbolt is very similar to a regular keyed knob or lever, so pick resistance would be the same between these two products. A deadbolt is more secure in that it is much harder to kick in a door with a deadbolt mounted or open using a credit card to slide in and raise the bolt.

These types of locks are called deadbolts because there is no spring-loaded mechanism to operate them. They are only operated manually. Thus, it's a "dead", or immobile, bolt.

Yes! Deadbolts are great additions to your residence or commercial building. They're much more difficult to open without a key, making it harder to break into a door with a deadbolt. Deadbolts use a 1" throw bolt that extends into the jamb, so they are more secure than a keyed knob or lever which would have a curved spring latch. Deadbolts could be picked like a knob but are harder to kick in than a keyed knob or lever. It's important when installing a deadbolt to make sure the door has a solid jamb around it, especially where the deadbolt strike is mounted. When kicked in, it is typically the jamb that fails before the deadbolt.

The best deadbolts for residential use are single cylinder. These need a key to unlock from the outside and have a thumb turn on the inside. Double cylinder deadbolts require a key on both sides, which is wonderful for commercial use, but not residential. They could be problematic in the event of an emergency. Ensure the deadbolt you choose for your home has an ANSI Grade rating of 1 (Grade 2 is okay as well, though does not offer heavy duty protection like Grade 1).

This truly depends on quality and the type of deadbolt you need. While single sided deadbolts can cost less than $20, double cylinder and keyless entry deadbolts are much more costly. The more security the deadbolt provides, the higher the cost. If you're adding a deadbolt to your home alongside a great quality keyed or keyless lock, a single cylinder is fine. If you'll be using a deadbolt as your primary locking mechanism for your door, we suggest a more substantial option.