Hey all,

I want to install new locks around my whole house. I think the locks are all original and over 20 years old. I read online that knob locks are useless and to just replace them with passage knobs if you have a deadbolt, do you all agree with that?

I was thinking this for the front door:

Schlage Sense Satin Nickel Camelot Smart Lock and Handleset with Georgian Knob

And these for all the other deadbolts:

Schlage Camelot Satin Nickel Keypad Deadbolt

What do you all think? I'm very open to lock strategies, I have to get new locks for all of these:

Door - Current State
Front House Door - Deadbolt
Garage Inner Door - Deadbolt and knob lock
Garage Access Door - Deadbolt and knob lock
Back House Door - Deadbolt and knoblock
Shed Door - knob w/ no lock
Exterior Basement door - knob lock

Thanks!

I have the first one you linked on my primary door. Four years and the battery is still good. I should probably change it. I have no clue where the key went in case the battery dies.

For other doors, I have those that autolock

I put the second one on my sisters house, she loved it.

I don't like designs where the bolt is electrically retracted. I like the bottom one because the electronics only facilitate allowing the knob to be turned when the correct code is entered. I would think that would improve battery life.

BTW, I think all the electronic locks aren't the last word in security. If you want something like that get a mechanical lock from companies like Medeco or Abloy.

I have those exact locks on my front door and side garage door. No complaints.

I want a deadbolt that's keyed from both sides as we have glass in two of our doors.

quote:

I want a deadbolt that's keyed from both sides as we have glass in two of our doors.

Same here but I'm not happy about the thought of having to get a key every time I want to exit.

But the best lock in the world won't help with a window in the door.

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:

quote:

I want a deadbolt that's keyed from both sides as we have glass in two of our doors.

Same here but I'm not happy about the thought of having to get a key every time I want to exit.

But the best lock in the world won't help with a window in the door.

We only deadbolt when we're not here.

We have the deadbolts on each door and love em. Dont get anything but Schlage on them.

I have been "keyless" since 2011. In fact, during the less than two weeks that I owned my current home and had not installed the keyless deadbolts that I like (Simplex 7100), I managed to leave the damned keys at work and lock myself out of it. I was truly spoiled by having keyless for several years before that.

I have all passage knobs on my doors. The locking knob doesn't really do shit, and certainly provides no additional protection than a deadbolt, save for maybe taking time for somebody to dick around picking. My experience in law enforcement is that nobody is picking lock tumblers and the latch on most knobs is easily kicked, often with minimal damage to anything. They just don't enter the frame deep enough.

I was turned on to Simplex 7100 deadbolts by a locksmith friend. He liked them because they were mechanical and thus did not have batteries or a motor to fail. There were concerns at the time about motors failing in very cold temperatures. My limited experience with motorized deadbolts is also that they may fail to lock the door if the door and frame are not perfect. The mechanical deadbolts, or any deadolt without a motor do not suffer from this failure. The downside to a mechanical is either being limited to one (or very few) combination, not being able to link with smart home devices, cell phones, etc., and a slightly more complex (in some cases) rekeying procedure. The Simplex 7100 is easily re-coded by the end user with nothing more than the old cold and a Phillips screwdriver.

I like http://www.gokeyless.com as a vendor.

I know there is at least one Sigforumite who works for Assa Abloy which is the parent company of Medeco, Yale, and Sargent. Perhaps he'll see this and chime in.

I just replaced the Schlage Camelot, which I really liked, with their Connect Century that works with a Samsung Smartthings Hub so I can lock & unlock the door remotely and know if anyone has entered and when. If you just want to be keyless the Camelot is a great choice and did not give me any grief whatsoever in the 3 years I used it.

Knob locks are not useless; it just depends on your situation. Even the best locks can be useless if you have standard framework though. Get the locks that you like and also invest in frame reinforcement.

I’ve been using the bottom style for the interior garage door for a few years now (and wondering when I’ll need to change the battery).

But I haven’t yet built up the confidence to use it on an exterior door. Ive got one on the shelf just waiting to be installed. No issues to date. But also haven’t really had a pressing need to replace either.

We have a Schlage Camelot from Lowes on the door that we use all the time. It has been great for two years. I like never having to carry a house key anymore. Still on the original battery.

If you miss or ignore the low battery warning, in a pinch, it has external battery contacts to temporally power it. Of course you have to HAVE a battery to do that... but that's less than a mile away at the Quick Mart.

I created a couple optional codes for family and others and don't share the code we use. That way if I need to let a repair man or etc use it or if I think someone has compromised that code I can change just that code and the one we use doesn't have to change.

I have Schlage for 3 years and no issues, they're great locks.

Each case of 4 packages at LOWE's is keyed the same. I was able to buy all 3 sets of deadbolt/passage and not have to rekey anything. The packages have the key code on the outside. Sometimes you can get lucky and different styles will have the same key code also and you don't have to rekey anything. Even the deadbolts that retract on their own, the batteries last a very long time. BUT, better keep the key because when the battery goes dead, you're not getting into the house to change the batteries without it.

I worry that anything internet enabled can be hacked.

quote:

Originally posted by P210:
I just replaced the Schlage Camelot, which I really liked, with their Connect Century that works with a Samsung Smartthings Hub so I can lock & unlock the door remotely and know if anyone has entered and when. If you just want to be keyless the Camelot is a great choice and did not give me any grief whatsoever in the 3 years I used it.

Check out this website - it's the residential section of BHMA Graded Locks. Allegion (aka Schlage), ASSA ABLOY (Sargent, CR, Medeco, Yale, Emtek, etc) as well as Kwikset and Baldwin are voluntarily testing their products to these standards and using the testing icon on their latest packaging. https://securehome.org/

Full disclosure: I work for ASSA ABLOY, and am on BHMA's Board of Directors.

I just installed Falcon commercial grade one leversets and double cylinder deadbolts on my exterior doors. All with removable cores. Not cheap but should last a good while.
Falcon and Sclage are closely related.

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:

quote:

I want a deadbolt that's keyed from both sides as we have glass in two of our doors.

Same here but I'm not happy about the thought of having to get a key every time I want to exit.

But the best lock in the world won't help with a window in the door.

With our new home went with ASSA Abloy and they are keyed both sides, we keep spare keys close so its not a big deal. Very nice locks. 3 doors with spare keys came in less than $900 and were pretty easy to install...just don't lose the BBs

While you are doing the locks replace the screws in the frame and install a plate such as this....cheap insurance

https://www.homedepot.com/p/St...ment-55724/202076114

If you have any doors that swing out put studs in the hinge side frame so the pin cant be removed and the door pulled.

Also a internal bar is nice and fairly cheap on both types of doors.

Next on my list is 3m window covering foe my first floor windows and motion lights and cameras.

Next on my list is

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dewhorse,

Mult-t-lock Hercular captive key deadbolts. Everything about them is high quality. The captive key can only be removed with your regular key. We do this when we go on vacation so you can't just smash the glass and turn the knob on the inside to open the door. When we are home, we put the captive keys back in so we can get out if there is a fire.

Hurricane impact glass makes it really difficult to bust a window out.