Need new lock sets for man doors

[Andy Griffith]

Detached metal shop building with two man doors. Currently have residential lock sets on both doors - keyed round knob with separate deadbolt above it, all keyed the same. These are worn out, and I'd like to replace with a more robust lock set, maybe with a lever vs the round knob.

Measurements are as follows:
Hole dia. = 2 1/8
Door thickness = 1 1/2
Back set = 2 3/4

Is it likely I can find some sort of heavy duty lock sets all keyed alike from HD or Lowes or is this something I'd have to order online?

Is there much difference in the quality of the various door lock sets?

Thanks

 

[socapots]

Personally I feel round is the way to go.
I've had the lever style ( I think the same as you are referring too). Had have had the internals fail. On the other side. Maybe they were low quality. But they were sure not cheap.

Edit: and I'd think a thief may just kick the door in. That's what I have always seen. Not sure how its built but if the metal building has wood door jambs then it will we the weakest link.

 

[djjsr]

There's definitely a difference in quality. I use commercial grade locksets. Lever type handles can be snapped off with a pipe.

 

[olytdi]

I use regular round setup like the OP mentions. But I've reinforced the latch area of the door jam about 10 inches above and below with contiguous angle iron bolted to the framing posts such that no kicking-in is possible. Door is steel as well so it would be hard.
Windows and sliders are probably the weak links.

 

[socapots]

Good ideas with the angle iron.
Mine is just flat stock. But the angle will certainly give more bolting area.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Electronic locks and dispense with the key. I have Schlage on the house and shop.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Thanks for the replies. I had not considered the lever being able to be twisted off, I was just thinking a lever would be easier to manipulate when I have my arms full of stuff going into/out of the shop.

According to lowes website it doesn't appear that they carry any type of commercial locks. According to HD's site it looks like they might have some commercial stuff but their website has never worked properly for me and I just gave up on the damn thing. Guess I'll make the trek over to HD and see what they have, would like to get a single set with two keyed knobs and two deadbolts all keyed alike of course.

 

[Dunerash]

Thanks for the replies. I had not considered the lever being able to be twisted off, I was just thinking a lever would be easier to manipulate when I have my arms full of stuff going into/out of the shop.

According to lowes website it doesn't appear that they carry any type of commercial locks. According to HD's site it looks like they might have some commercial stuff but their website has never worked properly for me and I just gave up on the damn thing. Guess I'll make the trek over to HD and see what they have, would like to get a single set with two keyed knobs and two deadbolts all keyed alike of course.

At HD they have contractor packs. Look on the top of the packaging for the code # and match them up with a box with the same # and the keys are the same.

 

[Falcon67]

I used Schlege (sp?) Grade 1 commercial deadbolts on mine.

 

[Richard Cranium]

go to a lock shop, not a big box, they will have better locks and will key them to any key you want, (ie your house key or the old key to the garage=less keys to carry) They are the experts on locks, not some kid's after school job. Rich....

 

[Zeke]

So a lever can be snapped off. The intruder still has to deal with the latch and the deadbolt. On commercial locks, the latch works like a deadbolt when extended, albeit not as long as the deadbolt. Schlage does make some very nice sets and they are very hardy.

Try Chone hardware online. They will key alike for you. No affiliation but I have bought from them. Also Amazon.

 

[Blk88GT]

I've got Schlage commercial hardware on my door. The deadbolts wear out faster than the knobs.

 

[Richard D]

How easy is it to actually kick in a door? I came home real late one night and locked myself out. I weigh 200 lbs, and I was using a good sized(6'+) piece of 2x12 that happened to be leaned against the house. I had a good running start, ramming the **** out of the door, and it wouldn't break open. Then I remembered the hidden key...

 

[Zeke]

How easy is it to actually kick in a door? I came home real late one night and locked myself out. I weigh 200 lbs, and I was using a good sized(6'+) piece of 2x12 that happened to be leaned against the house. I had a good running start, ramming the **** out of the door, and it wouldn't break open. Then I remembered the hidden key...

If the jamb is metal or reinforced wood, you'd better bring you lunch. I'm a door installer. I think outswing doors are a bit more vulnerable, but not by much if they are properly installed with tight gaps and non removable pins.

On the subject of NRP hinges, if you look closely at an outswing door that is installed tight, you can't actually swing the door past the hinge barrels with the pins out. But, if you have pry bars and time, you might make it bending the **** out of the hinges.

So, use NRP hinges and that factor is negated.

 

[Gary S]

My only recommendation is to not buy Kwikset brand knobs and locks.

I've had a number of them, and they will not latch in really cold weather. All the other brands I've used do not have that problem.

 

[Zeke]

Kiikset used to be a good lock. I'm talking about back in the '60's. They have progressively gotten cheaper and cheaper until the point of being total junk. I think they are trying to make a comeback with locks that will key themselves to your key and keyless entries. I'm not impressed with the features and the locks still lack any beef to them.

 

[matouse3]

Kiikset used to be a good lock. I'm talking about back in the '60's. They have progressively gotten cheaper and cheaper until the point of being total junk. I think they are trying to make a comeback with locks that will key themselves to your key and keyless entries. I'm not impressed with the features and the locks still lack any beef to them.

I replaced all my locks with these in my house and garage, the key alike option is very nice and an extremely easy way to key all your locks the same, even with different styles. One key unlocks everything. If I want to change the key, it takes all of 5 minutes to get the job done on all the locksets. If I want to change the garage for the weekend so that my neighbor can check on the dog and not have a key to house, I can do that too.

I have found the handles to be fairly rugged and the deadbolts to be solid as well. I prefer the lever handles. I did have one that failed on me and would not open. I called Kwikset and they sent me a brand new lockset the next day.

 

[Zeke]

Glad you liked the new feature. You ought to hold an old KS deadbolt in your hand and a new one in the other. I'll bet the old ones weight twice as much. Now weight alone isn't security. But compare the old trim rings to the new and you can see where with a good pair of channellocks you can wind a new lock right out of the door by simply crushing it first.

But wait, why even do that? Google "lock bumping." Most locks I saw on a string of videos was a Kwikset or KS off brand. Some claim they can bump any lock. I don't think much of that claim.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Sargent or Medeco!

 

[knobby]

I recently installed one of these they are a PITA to install but offer more security than most lock sets

fox police lock
http://www.nokey.com/foxstylpollo.html

 

[Rich1028]

Kiikset used to be a good lock. I'm talking about back in the '60's. They have progressively gotten cheaper and cheaper until the point of being total junk. I think they are trying to make a comeback with locks that will key themselves to your key and keyless entries. I'm not impressed with the features and the locks still lack any beef to them.

I agree with you on this,I have them on all the doors of my house and garage,and I had to replace the main one on the house twice.

 

[matouse3]

Glad you liked the new feature. You ought to hold an old KS deadbolt in your hand and a new one in the other. I'll bet the old ones weight twice as much. Now weight alone isn't security. But compare the old trim rings to the new and you can see where with a good pair of channellocks you can wind a new lock right out of the door by simply crushing it first.

But wait, why even do that? Google "lock bumping." Most locks I saw on a string of videos was a Kwikset or KS off brand. Some claim they can bump any lock. I don't think much of that claim.

I could be wrong as the internet is rather large, but I don't think any of the locks that are bumped on those videos were the smartkey models. Kwikset, yes, but the low end locks. The smartkey model has some "bump proof" claims, I can't attest to their validity as I have never had a lock bumped.

I imagine if someone really wants to get into my house, they will do it, regardless of the model of lock that I have on the door.

 

[neitzel]

I think Best (owned by Stanley) is kind of the industry standard for commercial applications. Although I'm not sure about availability for the average consumer?
They are pretty heavy duty compared to the average kwikset/Schlage though.

http://www.bestaccess.com/default.asp#

Look at "Cylindrical locks" under products.

 

[factorten]

http://www.builders-hardware.com/default.aspx

Don't know what part of Western Washington you're in but these guys can set you up with commercial grade cylindrical door hardware for your house. What ever handle style or finish you want and they sell to home owners directly. Plus thier locally owned.

 

[neitzel]

Hardware Sales in Bellingham would be a really good place to try as well.

Even if they don't have your locks, it's worth a visit just to check out their inventory. It's a little different experience than the average home depot or lowes.

http://www.hardwaresales.net/

 

[Red Goat]

Unfortunately the garage doors are another very weak link. In my commercial complex we had some kids take an ATV and push against the overhead doors of several shops until they popped off the tracks. They kept going until they they ran across one with an alarm system...

 

[metaleltr]

If the jamb is metal or reinforced wood, you'd better bring you lunch. I'm a door installer. I think outswing doors are a bit more vulnerable, but not by much if they are properly installed with tight gaps and non removable pins.

On the subject of NRP hinges, if you look closely at an outswing door that is installed tight, you can't actually swing the door past the hinge barrels with the pins out. But, if you have pry bars and time, you might make it bending the **** out of the hinges.

So, use NRP hinges and that factor is negated.

Or I could just cut the hinge off flush with a cordless angle grinder.

 

[spotco2]

Visit your local locksmith and get a grade 2 lever that is clutched (outside lever always rotates but will not retract the latch unless it is unlocked) and make sure that it has the through bolts that go though the door above and below the 2-1/8" hole you already have. This will help with someone wrenching the lockset around with either a pipe wrench or a piece of pipe in the lever.

Also get GOOD grade 2 deadbolt. I'm a fan of Schlage BC560 series.

Look at door reinforcers also. It's the stainless wrap around plates that reinforce the area of the door where the lock is mounted. They work very well.

If it's an outswing door, look at installing a latch guard like a Don-Jo PLP-111 with a locking pin that goes into the frame when the door is closed. This will help with someone trying to crowbar the door open. The latch guard covers the latch and overlaps the frame. The pin in the latch guard that goes into the frame keeps the frame from spreading away from the door.

If you have exposed hinges, make sure that you have hinges that have a set screw that locks the hinge pin in place. You must have the door open to remove the set screw before you can remove the hinge pin. While you're playing with hinges, you can install hinge pins like Major Mfg JP-12. These replace one of the hinge screws and have a pin that goes into the opposite leaf and frame. This way even if someone cuts the hinges off the outside, the pins secure the door into the frame so it can not be removed from the hinge side.

Lots of options.