High quality door lock set?

[czgunner]

We recently moved to a house we bought on some property in the country.
The door lock set currently on the front door needs to be changed out. The lock in the knob is binding, and makes getting into the house a real pain.
I would like to put a high quality set with deadbolt in our front door.
Just for the convenience are any of the "smart" locks worth a darn?
I have a funny feeling that the big box stores don't carry a quality set, but maybe I'm wrong. I am having a hard time finding any good info or reviews.
Thanks!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Medeco is a high quality lock set, I have them in my house. However, remember the lock is only as good as the door and frame...if a good kick will break the jamb, it doesn't matter what lock set you have.

 

[GTO]

Fpni

 

[todd2008]

Weiser is junk. You can just brute force them open. Medeco or Schlage Primus is about the best bet.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Schlage has some good stuff with Everest and Primus.
Generally speaking, Kwikset SmartKey is junk.

 

[mburrus]

i plan on putting in all Best small format interchangable core locks and knobs... pricey, but i already got the cylinders made to my keying spec, just need the door hardware... i also built some stainless steel door frame strengtheners... 1/8" thick, 1-1/2" wide, 3' long, has holes for the latch and bolt, screwed in to concrete or meatier wood using 5 3" SPAX screws...

 

[kelpaso1]

Living out in the country and your worried about locking up your house like fort Knox?? Hell I don't even know where my house and garage keys are anymore. And if a door gets locked I get in through another door, the patio door, or any window. Plus everyone out here also leaves the keys in their auto's. Nice when you need to borrow buddy's truck to go to the lumber yard

Hehe, but seriously there is almost non existent property crimes out here. I can go to any of my neighbors and walk into their house or garage to borrow something, or take their car/truck and they can do the same. We all look out for each other and everyone knows who is coming and going, and who is suspicious. Nuthin wrong with nosy neighbors. Thats country life

 

[czgunner]

Living out in the country and your worried about locking up your house like fort Knox?? Hell I don't even know where my house and garage keys are anymore. And if a door gets locked I get in through another door, the patio door, or any window. Plus everyone out here also leaves the keys in their auto's. Nice when you need to borrow buddy's truck to go to the lumber yard

Hehe, but seriously there is almost non existent property crimes out here. I can go to any of my neighbors and walk into their house or garage to borrow something, or take their car/truck and they can do the same. We all look out for each other and everyone knows who is coming and going, and who is suspicious. Nuthin wrong with nosy neighbors.

Not worried about locking up like fort knox, just don't want to buy a junk lock set. This house was built in 2006, and the lock is already crapped out. Seems to me a lock should last longer.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Living out in the country and your worried about locking up your house like fort Knox?? Hell I don't even know where my house and garage keys are anymore. And if a door gets locked I get in through another door, the patio door, or any window. Plus everyone out here also leaves the keys in their auto's. Nice when you need to borrow buddy's truck to go to the lumber yard

Hehe, but seriously there is almost non existent property crimes out here. I can go to any of my neighbors and walk into their house or garage to borrow something, or take their car/truck and they can do the same. We all look out for each other and everyone knows who is coming and going, and who is suspicious. Nuthin wrong with nosy neighbors.

If you ever want to steal a car in VT, look on top of the rear tires. If keys are not there, look in ignition.......seriously!

 

[LifeSTAR]

Very happy with my Mul-T-Lock hardware. As others have said, your home is only as secure as its weakest link. You need to be reinforcing the door frame and windows etc also.

 

[ford33]

Medeco

 

[jhelrey]

Medeco is a high quality lock set, I have them in my house. However, remember the lock is only as good as the door and frame...if a good kick will break the jamb, it doesn't matter what lock set you have.

I'll just go through the window next to the door or through the door if the door is made of glass! In my job, I get to legally break into places. People are always amazed how quickly you can get into a place with lack of damage.

PS: If I owned an office building, etc. I would only install Medeco. Easy to control keys that way.

PSS: I used Kwikset Smart Key. I can change the locks in an instant. I also can change 1 lock to 1 key for 1 time and change it back for say a contractor or a family member. My front door is pure glass so the lock is only there for shits and grins.

 

[Boomer343]

I have switched exterior and interior door hardware to Emtek. They use mortise style latches for both knobs and deadbolts so they are a little more work than the drive in style. Some good pricing on ebay if you cant find a local supplier who is reasonably priced.

 

[JoelR]

shalage work really well. Installed one of their smart locks on 2 years ago or so and the batteries seemed to last about a year and a half. Its fantastic to not have to carry keys anymore and it doesnt stop working in the cold like the keyless pad on our garage door -.-

 

[rodm1]

Generally commercial locks are the only way to go. Residential are all junk unless you spend some cash and get Medeco or equal in quality. I'm not aware or any good residential electronic lock.

There are sow many ways to get into a building locks aren't a very big deterrent. I think a perimeter alarm system for when you are present or sleeping and internal building alarm for when you are away is probably best.

 

[SouthernGemini]

My best friend of now 35 years worked as a locksmith and I went on jobs with him to observe and learn. Medeco are good locks and keys are cut on an angle making them difficult to pick. They are well built, solid locks. Pricey but you get what you pay for.

My friend P.T. is likely the most well known locksmith in the area and she specializes in businesses. I see her sticker on Burger King doors (BKs around here use Medeco), churches, small businesses and so on. In 2011 I went to her newly built house for a visit and what did she use? Baldwin on the front door (where people will see it) and Schlage on the garage and back door. That convinced me to use Schlage when I upgraded in 2012 and my locks are doing well.

 

[Leaky88]

HI,
Schlage is my choice of locks. But, a lock is only for looks and to keep HONEST people out. Aside from an steel or iron door, if they want to come in -especially in the country- they will. Worst yet is the damage they can do to entry way, or the windows they resort to when door proves too difficult. Leaky

 

[Leaky88]

HI,
One other thing I would add to Schlage locks. This submitted as an FYI, not to to insult. We all get into a hurry, but Schlage comes with a grey colored key whose sole purpose is to make duplicates. DO NOT use it as a everyday key! Leaky

 

[cdestuck]

I put in a combination push button Quikset on both the house and garage and love em. I feel they are decent quality. Just remember, the wear link to security is the wood jambs. A lock made for ft Knox can still be kicked in easily if you don't take addional steps to reinforce your jambs.

 

[pleokumo]

My best friend of now 35 years worked as a locksmith and I went on jobs with him to observe and learn. Medeco are good locks and keys are cut on an angle making them difficult to pick. They are well built, solid locks. Pricey but you get what you pay for.

My friend P.T. is likely the most well known locksmith in the area and she specializes in businesses. I see her sticker on Burger King doors (BKs around here use Medeco), churches, small businesses and so on. In 2011 I went to her newly built house for a visit and what did she use? Baldwin on the front door (where people will see it) and Schlage on the garage and back door. That convinced me to use Schlage when I upgraded in 2012 and my locks are doing well.

Although pricier, Baldwin is second to none. I have Baldwin handles and deadbolts on all exterior entry points to the house and am extremely content with not only the safety they provide but also the appearance.

Schlage lever handles on all interior doors.

 

[bb1970]

I have a Baldwin lock set. One issue in 20 years. They mailed me replacement parts free of charge.

 

[Pate]

Medeco is overkill on almost any residential door. Emtek is a good alternative to Baldwin and is good quality. I'm in the lock business and it's what I used on my doors.

 

[spotco2]

Regular residential hardware that you will find in a big box store is typically cheap and poorly made. Even the Schlage residential hardware has A LOT of issues and does not hold up as well as the Schlage locks from 10 years ago.

Mul-T-Lock and Medeco are very well made and generally designed to be used in heavy commercial or institutional installations. While they are well made, the key (pun intended) selling point is they are difficult to pick and the main thing is they offer a level of key control meaning that you can not just go to the hardware store and get copies made.

Baldwin and Emtek are two of the top rated hardware companies that are still making quality residential hardware. It is generally more in line with light commercial hardware and in some cases institutional hardware. You would not be disappointed with either of these choices and their customer service is top notch. It's not inexpensive hardware, but you will not be replacing it in 5 years either.

http://emtek.com/

http://www.baldwinhardware.com

 

[Trey T]

I bought two of the schlage deadbolt below. My home is automated but I was worry about security issue like hacker.

 

[DonPowers]

I installed a Tell commercial lockset and deadbolt on the garage, which was ordered from the local building supply store. Also installed an 18 ga steel door & frame.

The house has Baldwin locksets.

You can do all you want to keep people out, but if they want to get in, they will find a way. I just don't want to make it easy for them.

 

[SMKS]

Medeco is overkill on almost any residential door. Emtek is a good alternative to Baldwin and is good quality. I'm in the lock business and it's what I used on my doors.

This, all this.

I personally like Emtek. Lots of style choices and good build quality. These are solid, quality pieces. I've put them on my house and my mother's house.

I've ordered Emtek from Handlesets.com. Good customer service, but don't trust their free rekeying. They screwed it up royally for me and I had to get them rekeyed locally, which was only like $8 per lock. Handlesets.com reimbursed me for the rekeying.

Also, I bought two Emtek electronic locks and neither worked right out of the box. I called Emtek multiple times and they couldn't tell me anything about the problems. I removed and re-installed them multiple times to make sure I had put them together correctly, which I had. I ended up returning both of them.

TLDR: Emtek hardware is good, but their electronic locks are not good.

 

[Pate]

This, all this.


TLDR[/B]: Emtek hardware is good, but their electronic locks are not good.

I prefer the Schlage BE series for residential electronic locks.

 

[RossABQ]

HD or Lowes has Schlage commercial SS deadbolts with extra-long bolts. That with a jamb reinforcing plate and long screws is plenty good enough for me. I also use keyed-both-sides deadbolts, so even if they go in thru a window, they have to work to get out.

 

[czgunner]

Okay, thanks for all the help.
Where do I get a Baldwin lock set that has a keyed alike single cylinder dead bolt AND door knob. I'm not really keen on the lever/handle that seems to be everywhere.

 

[HMS57]

bad guys are going to get in if they want...hopefully you won't be home, but if you are I hope your packin...if you have a security system, install a EAR PIERCING device, I mean EAR PIERCING...something that is going to make the bad guy(s) cover up and stick their fingers in their ears and run to get away from it...we had this system in my Dad's speed shop...when we got the call from the police dept. after the first and only break in over 40 years, the cops said that they can't go in until that dam alarm device is turned off that it hurt their ears...they made the arrest after checking the local emerg. room because as the bad guy was running out he tripped and came in contact with a small block chevy block, opened his shin so bad that it looked like he was going to bleed out...went to court and the bad guy told the judge that he had to get away from that dam loud noise that it hurt so dam bad...

 

[czgunner]

Again, I'm not so worried about a break in.
If we're home, it won't be a welcome the bad guy wants.
I just want a good quality lock set.
Thanks for the help.
Still looking for a keyed alike Baldwin set.

 

[ijason]

Abloy/medeco is how i role

 

[Pate]

Okay, thanks for all the help.
Where do I get a Baldwin lock set that has a keyed alike single cylinder dead bolt AND door knob. I'm not really keen on the lever/handle that seems to be everywhere.

Anybody who sells locks can key them alike. Baldwin uses a Schlage 5 pin C keyway commonly called SC1. You can use any Schlage C keyway lock and still key them alike.

 

[czgunner]

Okay, what do you experts think about these?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00149G1PE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
and
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PEGJX6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Does that price look reasonable?
How do I go about keying these alike, and how much would that cost?

 

[spotco2]

Okay, what do you experts think about these?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00149G1PE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
and
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PEGJX6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Does that price look reasonable?
How do I go about keying these alike, and how much would that cost?

Thats good stuff.

Just take them to your local locksmith and have one keyed to match the other. It should run between $5-$20 per cylinder.

 

[longez]

I owned and sold a commercial lock manufacturing company to ASSA ABLOY, so although I know a fair bit about this I'm biased

I work for ASSA ABLOY, and coincidentally I'm in NYC at BHMA headquarters this week to put the finishing touches on a certification program for residential locks. Look for a lots of PR on this over the next 6 months as we introduce 2 new ANSI/BHMA standards for residential door locks and a comprehensive marketing program to assist consumers in making good choices.

All the ASSA AABLOY companies share technology worldwide; many of the commercial lock manufacturing technologies are filtering into our (limited)} residential offerings.

I have Emtek locks with Medeco cylinders on my homes, and Adams Rite locks (my old company) on my hangar doors. (All ASSA ABLOY companies)

longez

 

[NUTTSGT]

Okay, thanks for all the help.
Where do I get a Baldwin lock set that has a keyed alike single cylinder dead bolt AND door knob. I'm not really keen on the lever/handle that seems to be everywhere.

When I bought my Schlages, I bought them from the local Carter Lumber store. They rekeyed them so they were all the same.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have Schlage electronic locks on the back door of the house and the man door on the shop. Very handy to have. I can program the locks with additional codes for others to use, such as the person who feeds the cat when I am out of town. It uses 4 digit codes and has 10 buttons, not the stupid setup like some with two numbers on the same button, press once for the first number and twice real fast for the second number. I replace the batteries every year at the same time I do the smoke detector batteries. No fancy wifi or the like, just buttons to push, no keys to fool with.

 

[longez]

I have Schlage electronic locks on the back door of the house and the man door on the shop. Very handy to have. I can program the locks with additional codes for others to use, such as the person who feeds the cat when I am out of town. It uses 4 digit codes and has 10 buttons, not the stupid setup like some with two numbers on the same button, press once for the first number and twice real fast for the second number. I replace the batteries every year at the same time I do the smoke detector batteries. No fancy wifi or the like, just buttons to push, no keys to fool with.

The Schlage, Yale Real Living and Emtek electronic locks are pretty good.

The Yale (another ASSA ABLOY brand) has lots of bells an whistles if you need them; I don't.

 

[Two Sheds]

If you are considering Baldwin, be aware that the cheaper model Baldwin locks (such as those sold at the big box stores) come with a Kwikset keyway rather than a Schlage C keyway. So if you want to match your Schlage keys, you will need to get the better series from a real builders-hardware dealer or locksmith.

Of course, good locks are irrelevant if they just throw a large rock through the window, like happened to my neighbor a few days ago. Not many burglars are going to try to pick or bump a lock.