Schlage door hardware quality

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Need two locksets/levers and dead bolts for the new detached garage/race shop. I wanted the touchpad locks, quality, and wanted to convert the three locksets/door knobs on the house to the same thing. Used levers rather than knobs.

So I sent with Schlage that I bought at Menards. I was able to get only two lock sets keyed alike, so I needed lots of them rekeyed. I was really surprised that Menards charged only $4 each to rekey them!

I was replacing Kwik-Set lock sets on the house, so the Schlage is quite a step up.

When I got the door levers installed on the house I was disappointed with how loose the inside door levers were. It appears they are a slip fit over the mechanism. I wasn't expecting a Fort Knox vault door feel, but there is enough play in the lever to be noticeable.

Otherwise, I am pretty happy with them. Now I'm off to program the three touchpads.

I wonder if Schlage monitors this forum like Lista and some of the other companies do.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Schlage over Kwik-Set everyday of the week !

 

[James-W]

I have Schlage locks and they are a little "loose" too. They work really well though, and overall I am happy with them. I had Menards rekey a couple locks too and was surprised they only charge $4 to do it. I watched the guy do it, he is a friend of mine who used to work at the golf course and we were shooting the bull while he did it. It is pretty simple to do if you have the little parts kit with all the stuff in it.

 

[4xdog]

...I wonder if Schlage monitors this forum like Lista and some of the other companies do.

Dunno, but I'll bet a nickel Schlage has a "contact us" email on their website.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I have Schlage locks and they are a little "loose" too. They work really well though, and overall I am happy with them. I had Menards rekey a couple locks too and was surprised they only charge $4 to do it. I watched the guy do it, he is a friend of mine who used to work at the golf course and we were shooting the bull while he did it. It is pretty simple to do if you have the little parts kit with all the stuff in it.

If Schlage could solve that "little loose" problem they would have an excellent product.

The touch pad lock sets took longer as the cylinder needs to be removed but first it has to be exposed. Wouldn't surprise me to see the touch pad rekey prices move to $6 or $8.

 

[n8n]

Schlage is better than Kwikset by far, but still not up to pro level standards like Assa Abloy or Medeco. Not a knock on Schlage, someone has to fill that spot on the quality/price continuum.

 

[rodm1]

Schlage is better than Kwikset by far, but still not up to pro level standards like Assa Abloy or Medeco. Not a knock on Schlage, someone has to fill that spot on the quality/price continuum.

Schlage dues build a heavy residential lock set that isn't bad but pricey grade 2. Kind of in the middle of quality look for a Schlage Grade 1 or 2. Expect to pay about $100+ a lock.

PDQ makes a commercial grade lock that would make a grate grade 1 residential lock but poor quality for commercial. The latch on commercial doors are larger and I believe PDQ still uses a residential latch. On the PDQ you do have to drill the door for threw bolts and door thickness could be a problem.

 

[jmontoya]

I just replaced Kwik-Set not long ago lock with a Schlage dead bolt after the Kwik broke to pieces after just to years, what i would really like to replace them with would be these.
http://www.medeco.com/en/site/medeco/Products/?groupId=915446

 

[bushmechanic]

Here's something interesting to consider.

A family member of mine recently experienced a broken Kwik-Set handle/deadbolt combination. It was seven years old.

He called Kwik-Set to find the part number for an identical handle, and they shipped him one for free, no questions asked.

 

[tdkkart]

I've got a Schlage electronic combo lock on my shop door(I don't forget my key now), been there at least 2 years without issue.
2 of the same locks at the Ambulance serice building also, no issues with them either.

 

[James-W]

He called Kwik-Set to find the part number for an identical handle, and they shipped him one for free, no questions asked.

If they gave him one for free with no questions asked I would bet this is a common problem.

 

[TonkaJoe]

I just replaced the doors on my house with new Schlage hardware, had them in my previous home as well and never once had an issue, excellent product.

 

[boobag]

i personally like the newer kwikset with the smartkey feature. anyone can rekey the lock at anytime. plus you cant "bump" the lock open like a schlage. plus schlage's finish doesnt hold up on their exterior locks.

 

[nationalminer84]

did you consider the Tru-Bolt house brand at all? I've had my sets for 3 years with many issues. they keep getting me replacements but poor quality... wish I had gotten schlage.

 

[bushmechanic]

If they gave him one for free with no questions asked I would bet this is a common problem.

That's a bit of a leap beyond logic.

Customer service was polite, responsive, and helpful; or so I am given to understand. This was a seven year old set replaced without pain beyond installation.

A number of companies exist that will treat customers very well, if given a chance.

 

[longez]

Full disclosure: I work for ASSA ABLOY and owned a commercial lock mfg company before selling it to them.

Look for BHMA certified product; not simply "meets ANSI/BHMA" or "exceeds BHMA - you want locks from a company who has third party (usually UL) attestation the product meets ANSI/BHMA standards

Some of Schlage's product is very good, as are some Kwiksets. Neither are close to commercial lock quality. Baldwin, now owned by Spectrum Brands has an excellent product. Emtek, an ASSA ABLOY company, makes excellent locks and borrows technology from sister companies like Medeco and Sargent. If you are really concerned about keyway manipulation, buy Mul-T-Lock from Israel (also ASSA ABLOY)

I have Emtek and Adams Rite (my old company) on my homes and hangar.

 

[CRF8]

I recently retired 30 years law enforcement. 28 years as a burglary detective, In a major city, 1500 arrests. A grand total of 2 were "lock manipulation" burglars, one bump key and 1 old style lock pick. The other 1498 broke out rear windows, popped sliding glass doors or just kicked in a inward opening front door.


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[unslow1]

I recently retired 30 years law enforcement. 28 years as a burglary detective, In a major city, 1500 arrests. A grand total of 2 were "lock manipulation" burglars, one bump key and 1 old style lock pick. The other 1498 broke out rear windows, popped sliding glass doors or just kicked in a inward opening front door.


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On most houses it would probably be easier to go through the siding and the drywall then try to pick a lock. I bet a razor knife would get into most.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

i personally like the newer kwikset with the smartkey feature. anyone can rekey the lock at anytime. plus you cant "bump" the lock open like a schlage. plus schlage's finish doesnt hold up on their exterior locks.

Explain "bump" the lock open. Thanks!

did you consider the Tru-Bolt house brand at all? I've had my sets for 3 years with many issues. they keep getting me replacements but poor quality... wish I had gotten schlage.

Menards had Tru-Bolt on the shelf. I've never heard of Tru-Bolt, knew I wanted something better than Kwik-Set, and knew that Schlage had a very good reputation. That's why I went with Schlage.

 

[bushmechanic]

Explain "bump" the lock open. Thanks!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_bumping

It's actually quite easy once you get the hang of it.

 

[bushmechanic]

I recently retired 30 years law enforcement. 28 years as a burglary detective, In a major city, 1500 arrests. A grand total of 2 were "lock manipulation" burglars, one bump key and 1 old style lock pick. The other 1498 broke out rear windows, popped sliding glass doors or just kicked in a inward opening front door.


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I was thinking about posting something like this.

Very few people are going to bother manipulating a door lock. If you have to be worried about that sort of person, you've been barking up some unusual trees in life.

People will attempt to enter a building precisely as CRF8 described.

If you want to keep them out, specially framed glass is available that is neigh on impossible to break without a high level of intelligence and planning, or equipment designed specifically for the task.

Make sure all your exterior doors open in the proper direction, and make sure they are of the variety with bolts that side out of the top and bottom as well as from the side, if you can afford them.

They are readily available. Hardened mounting points are also important, and easy to buy/install.

Sliding doors are a no-go. They can be secured to a high level of frustration, but a determined thief can still breach them with only rudimentary tools.

Combine that with the good glass, and nobody is walking in there unless you've pissed off the wrong people, or genuinely have something worth attracting a professional in the building.

If you want to discourage picks and bump keys, flush some very fine glass powder or salt in the mechanism. It will be a pain in the *** every time you lock and unlock it, but you'll pretty much frustrate anyone out of manipulating the lock.

I live in a commercial building, so there's no getting through the walls without a lot of headache. All my entryways and windows are hardened.

People can still get in, but those aren't average people, and the entry points will still frustrate them and cause noise.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Having worked in hardware stores, rekeyed a lot of locks, and of course being a lock enthusiast...give me Schlage over Kwikset any day! Much easier to work on, better parts, just overall they hold up better.
Of course they are not even in the same realm as a Sargent or Medeco lock...but people generally will not spend that kind of money for a residential application.

 

[frank_c]

I've got a Schlage electronic combo lock on my shop door(I don't forget my key now), been there at least 2 years without issue.
2 of the same locks at the Ambulance serice building also, no issues with them either.

Are these outside? I only have one Schlage electronic lock but it's behind a storm door. Wondering how they hold up exposed to weather.

 

[Nick Danger]

A locksmith told me to expect about ten years from a big box Schlage.

I considered getting commercial Schlage locks, but they cost $120 each, which would add up to $480 for two knobs and two deadbolts.

 

[tdkkart]

Are these outside? I only have one Schlage electronic lock but it's behind a storm door. Wondering how they hold up exposed to weather.

Not a single issue so far........

 

[6768rogues]

My father spent his career as an officer in a state maximum security prison. He said the prison exclusively used Schlage locks, and their locks are important.

 

[oltruckag]

Locks do nothing but keep honest people honest. In a residential application most deadbolts are locking into a flimsy wood frame that take nothing more than a firm kick to break. If someone really wants your stuff they are going to get it regardless of the quality of lock on the door.

My opinion, from a DIY perspective, is there really isn't a big difference between any of the brands you can buy at a big box store other than price. There may be some metal in place of plastic in some brands, but I still don't think it really matters much without reinforcing the doorframe. Even with that reinforcement there are usually much easier ways into the building other than the door.

Tyson

 

[cd36]

Locks do nothing but keep honest people honest. In a residential application most deadbolts are locking into a flimsy wood frame that take nothing more than a firm kick to break. If someone really wants your stuff they are going to get it regardless of the quality of lock on the door.

My opinion, from a DIY perspective, is there really isn't a big difference between any of the brands you can buy at a big box store other than price. There may be some metal in place of plastic in some brands, but I still don't think it really matters much without reinforcing the doorframe. Even with that reinforcement there are usually much easier ways into the building other than the door.

Tyson

I agree. Local building code where I am now calls for a deadbolt to be mandatory. We don't even lock our doors let alone use a deadbolt. Not to mention on the main floor we have 14 windows that could be easily broken, and are more than large enough for a person to easily walk through.

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[jeffmoss26]

My father spent his career as an officer in a state maximum security prison. He said the prison exclusively used Schlage locks, and their locks are important.

That would surprise me as Schlage does not make any detention locks...those are typically Folger Adam, Southern Steel, etc...thing BIG locks and keys.

 

[Beemer533]

Are these outside? I only have one Schlage electronic lock but it's behind a storm door. Wondering how they hold up exposed to weather.

I have several of these installed at my house for around 7 years with no issues..

 

[NUTTSGT]

As the lock sets have gone bad or I matched them, I have went with Schlage stuff. It is way better than the kwikset I first used.

 

[mrvm]

Are these outside? I only have one Schlage electronic lock but it's behind a storm door. Wondering how they hold up exposed to weather.

Basic electronic Schlage locks are all I use at my rentals and my back door. Don't want or need the fancy wifi or nesting types. Battery life has been great and reliable. Ez to install, Ez to change codes. Much better choice than kwikset electronic locks in regards to installation, battery life, overall quality.

 

[jmontoya]

Locks do nothing but keep honest people honest. In a residential application most deadbolts are locking into a flimsy wood frame that take nothing more than a firm kick to break. If someone really wants your stuff they are going to get it regardless of the quality of lock on the door.

My opinion, from a DIY perspective, is there really isn't a big difference between any of the brands you can buy at a big box store other than price. There may be some metal in place of plastic in some brands, but I still don't think it really matters much without reinforcing the doorframe. Even with that reinforcement there are usually much easier ways into the building other than the door.

Tyson

I would have to agree here, just look up door kick ins on youtube.
I installed frame/door reinforcements on my front and back doors.