doorlocks/deadbolt concerns after contractors leave

1313 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by tuffluck, Apr 27, 2011

tuffluck

Discussion Starter · Apr 26, 2011 (Edited)

i'm just considering putting my own one-sided deadbolt in but i don't know how. my doors on the first level are metal with wood on the thin inside part. so the part facing outside and inside the house is metal, and the thin strip in between that faces the wall parallel to the door is wood. i don't know if this wood piece runs the length of the door and the metal is just a skin, or if the wood is just a small part in that strip of the door and the rest is hollow between the metal.

so, i have no idea how to go about installing this deadbolt. also, there is a magnetic sensor for our alarm system (which we should probably activate now, huh?) above the deadbolt in the door now--so i wouldn't want to drill anywhere near there to put another deadbolt in case i damage the alarm system trigger. can anyone help me out? i've tried googling and just can't find anything about installing deadbolts in half metal/half wood doors with magnetic alarm sensors.

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user1007

· #2 · Apr 27, 2011

There is a jig for drilling the holes for deadbolts and other locks. It positions the holes for the lock in the right position to each other and helps you line things up with the door frame. Since you have a metal door you are going to have to make sure to use carbide or diamond tipped hole saws. By the time you buy the jig and the hole saws (you will never use again?) you will probably find it cheaper to just call a locksmith.

A locksmith can also rekey your existing lock cylinder possibly to the same as the deadbolt so you don't have to carry two keys. You can save yourself a bit of labor/money pulling the cylinder yourself and taking it too the locksmith.

Yes you should reset your alarm code.

As far as damaging the magnetic sensor? You should not have to worry about damaging it by drilling for the deadbolt. If you goof you are going to mess up a nice metal door though. Make sure you are up to this as a DIY project.

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tuffluck

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 27, 2011

thank you. do you think the inside-only deadbolt and changing the alarm code is enough? should i also change the keys to the existing locks on the doors?

i figure inside-only deadbolts prevents anyone from coming in while we are there, and the alarm deters anyone that came in while we weren't there. but maybe i am missing a level of security/safety here by not also changing the keyed locks on the door also...

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user1007

· #4 · Apr 27, 2011 (Edited)

tuffluck said:
thank you. do you think the inside-only deadbolt and changing the alarm code is enough? should i also change the keys to the existing locks on the doors?

i figure inside-only deadbolts prevents anyone from coming in while we are there, and the alarm deters anyone that came in while we weren't there. but maybe i am missing a level of security/safety here by not also changing the keyed locks on the door also...

If you have the locksmith out on a call anyhow, and it has been awhile, I would have all the locks rekeyed and be done with it for peace of mind. As mentioned, the locksmith may be able key everything together so you don't have to carry multiple keys. And, they will keep a record of your key cut. Should you ever lock yourself out they can cut a new key and save you $200 in emergency locksmith fees to get in.

And not to freak you out but remember your windows are probably more favored entry points than your doors since they are unlit and you may have planted in such a way there are immediate hiding places? In addition to the contact sensors your system should have either or all sound, motion sensors (unless you have pets) or some adjusted pressure sensors under the flooring in places. An experienced thief can get in a window without ever tripping the constact sensor.

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rossfingal

· #5 · Apr 27, 2011

tuffluck

One thing to remember - if your unit is a rental/lease; and you change
your keys - your landlord will require copies of the new keys.
The alarm code is probably, a different story.

sdsester

Good advice!

rossfingal

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tuffluck

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 27, 2011

sdsester said:
If you have the locksmith out on a call anyhow, and it has been awhile, I would have all the locks rekeyed and be done with it for peace of mind. As mentioned, the locksmith may be able key everything together so you don't have to carry multiple keys. And, they will keep a record of your key cut. Should you ever lock yourself out they can cut a new key and save you $200 in emergency locksmith fees to get in.

And not to freak you out but remember your windows are probably more favored entry points than your doors since they are unlit and you may have planted in such a way there are immediate hiding places? In addition to the contact sensors your system should have either or all sound, motion sensors (unless you have pets) or some adjusted pressure sensors under the flooring in places. An experienced thief can get in a window without ever tripping the constact sensor.

thanks. actually our place has no windows on the first floor, just the 2nd and 3rd. so i'm really just concerned about our door going into our garage and our front door.

it sounds like the landlord is going to install the deadbolt from the inside on both of those doors. i don't think he is going to rekey the others, but if it is recommended i rekey/replace them, the holes are already bored there so i can do that no problem. however, i don't want to do more work/spend more money if the deadbolt from the inside is *secure* enough for while we are in there, and the alarm *secure* enough while we are out.

it's more of a request for opinions, i just don't know how safe safe really is these days. thanks for the help.

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