Today's deadbolts feature major advances in functionality and technology. Find a wide variety of deadbolt locks from top brands like Brinks,
Kwikset and Schlage at Ace. Use our convenient search filters to shop by finish, price range and more.
Not sure which deadbolt door locks, or sometimes referred to as a “deadlock,” will work for your home or business? Read on to learn everything you need to know about keyed deadbolts to make the right decision for you.
What is the Purpose of a Deadbolt Lock?
When protecting your property against intrusion, deadbolts are vital. These heavy-duty locks provide additional security to standard doorknobs. The proper deadbolt door lock can make the difference between peace of mind and the risk of danger to your home or workplace.
A deadbolt has a locking mechanism that can only be opened using a specific key to unlock the lock cylinder. Without the right key, a deadbolt makes any door extremely resistant to entry. Many times, deadbolts are designed to work with spring-bolt locks on entryway doors, along with other door components and hardware.
Choosing the Right Deadbolt Lock for Your Home or Business
Now that you understand the importance of deadbolt door locks, navigating the different types of available options can seem intimidating. Choose the right deadbolt locks for your property with a better understanding of what each option has to offer.
Double Cylinder Deadbolts Vs. Single Cylinder Deadbolts
Single-side deadbolts and double-sided deadbolts can be installed for both residential and commercial applications. All deadbolts provide a second measure of security when paired with your standard locking lever or knob. Deadbolt door locks come in two basic styles:
Double Cylinder Deadbolt Locks
These types of locks require a key to unlock the mechanism from both the inside and outside. Although these deadlocks provide increased security for entryways that have glass near the lock, double cylinder deadbolts also take longer to unlock and may not be as practical in emergency situations.
Single Cylinder Deadbolt Locks
These unlock with either the turn of a knob or thumb turn from the inside of the door and a key that unlocks the door from the outside. In the event of an emergency, a single cylinder deadbolt allows you to unlock an entryway door and exit quickly since you won't need to take time to locate your key.
Deadbolt Hardware Finishes
Your front entryway says a lot about your property. Whether you're searching for deadbolts for your residential or commercial property, deadbolt locks increase security while adding an aesthetic touch.
When searching for a deadbolt that complements your existing décor, look for brushed metals that suit a contemporary look or chrome options that offer modern appeal. If you prefer a traditional style, you can't go wrong with polished brass or pewter.
Add Greater Security with the Right Deadbolt Lock
Deadbolts are designed for increased security, but their appearance is also an important consideration. Shop Ace for a large inventory of single- and double-cylinder deadbolts available in the latest styles.
If you’ve ever lived in a home or apartment with a deadbolt lock, you’re aware of the extra security that comes with it. Even if you didn’t understand how it worked, it simply felt good to have a door with two locks, like an extra layer of protection. But how safe are deadbolts, exactly? As a homeowner looking to protect family and valuables from intruders, it’s important to understand how different locks work, and which ones can provide you with the greatest security. In some cases, deadbolts aren’t nearly secure enough, and it’s time to consider the deadbolt’s jacked-up cousin: the double-sided deadbolt lock.
What’s a double-sided deadbolt anyway?
Most of us are familiar with deadbolts, the locks that typically rest above normal home lock and require an extra key to unlock from the outside. Conventional home locks (the first layer of security) typically use a spring bolt to hold the lock in place, and can be undone merely by turning the locking mechanism. Deadbolts, on the other hand, are locks that cannot be rotated without a key. This means that if a person was able to unlock a spring bolt using a key or other means, they would still be unable to open the door without using the deadbolt key, or having someone unlock the deadbolt from inside the home.
But are traditional deadbolts the most secure? Put briefly, no.
While deadbolts do require a key in order to turn the lock, this locking mechanism only works on the outside. This means that if an opened window was near the door, or if someone was able to break into the home through the back, the front door deadbolt could simply be opened through turning the lock on the inside. This is how single-cylinder deadbolts work. This is different from double-sided or double-cylinder deadbolts, which have a locking mechanism on both sides of the door, and require keys to turn the locks both inside and outside the door.
Pros and Cons
Locks play an important role in ensuring the safety and security of your home. While double-sided deadbolts are decidedly more secure, there are drawbacks to this added protection. When choosing the right lock for your home, it’s important to consider your needs first.
Efficiency: The most obvious difference between traditional deadbolts and double-sided deadbolts is the ease of use. Since double-sided deadbolts require two keys, and someone to operate the lock from the inside, they’re decidedly more time consuming and difficult. Whereas single-cylinder deadbolts need only one key (and one person) to unlock the door. Even if someone was waiting to unlock the door from the inside, they would only need to thumb-turn the lock to open it, rather than using a key. This makes single-cylinder deadbolts more convenient and practical overall, explaining their popularity — but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safer.
Cost: This is another area in which single-cylinder deadbolts prove superior. Since regular deadbolts are incredibly common and easy to install, they’re relatively cheap compared to double-sided deadbolts, which are more complex, requiring a.
Protection: Although double-sided deadbolts are a bit of a hassle — and certainly more expensive — than regular deadbolts, that’s not to say they’re without their virtues. For one, double-sided deadbolts are the most secure lock. This is especially important if your front door is located near a window that can be easily opened or broken, or if the door itself is made of glass. With traditional deadbolts, intruders looking to enter your home would simply need to smash the glass and reach inside to thumb-switch the lock open. But with double-cylinder deadbolts, even if they managed to damage your home, the intruders would still be unable to enter without using the indoor key. This extra layer of security is also helpful in ensuring children don’t accidentally open the lock and wander outside, unsupervised.
But this added step of using an indoor key also makes double-sided deadbolts potentially dangerous. In the case of a fire, for instance, the time it takes to track down a key and turn the lock could be a matter of life and death. This lock also makes it incredibly difficult for emergency personnel to enter your residence, and could even prohibit you from escaping an outside threat.
How to choose
There are an equal number of benefits and drawbacks to double-sided deadbolt locks, but whether they’ll work for you will ultimately depend on your needs as a homeowner. If crime is an issue in your area, or if you’re deeply concerned about the safety of your possessions, the double-sided deadbolt may be the way to go. But if you value efficiency and worry about access in the case of emergencies, single-cylinder deadbolts could provide all the protection you need.
We’re Here to Help
Whether you’ve settled on getting a double-sided deadbolt or still have some doubts, Pop-A-Lock is here to walk you through the next steps. We specialize in an array of door locks, so check out our website or call your local Pop-A-Lock today to get a quote!