Kwikset locks
 

Kwikset is crapset. I've been installing locks and hardware for around 30 years. I always had a soft place for Kwikset as one might prefer a Chevy over a Ford. Maybe it was because Kwikset was one of my father's accounts at his ad agency.

I've noticed how security hardware has gotten cheaper and cheaper over the years. But the last round of "product improvement" has me on the trail looking for better stuff. I don't mean something like Baldwin, which IS good stuff, but something unique and advanced. The junk sold today is very poorly made.

I looked into Yale, but I didn't get a buzz.

Anyway, sloppy locks are bad news:


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How does Schlage rate? I spent a small fortune putting new locks on the new house.

I'll let Milt chime back in, but imo, the "homeowner" Schlages one finds at HD, Lowes, etc. are cheap crap too (although I've got them in rentals). You've got to source them from a locksmith, etc. to get the same "commercial grade" quality of the Schlages that were widely sold a few decades ago. It was eye opening to see the differences (the locksmith pointed them out to me) when I took a few in to have rekeyed.

Okay so here is a question for the Pelican Brain trust, What locks would you install on your house and why? Lets not go for the unlimited budget but keep it reasonable price wise. I want to install new locks on my house and this is a timely post.

Thanks,

Dave

I have Schlage on my buidlings because that's what my locksmith sells. I do think the locksmith variety is higher quality than the Lowes/HD version. The locks on my commercial building are Schlage commercial and I am amazed at how flimsy they seemed. The locksmith said, if a burglar hammers on them the cheap parts will break and then they'll never move the bolt. I dunno, they still seem flimsy to me.

FWIW your locks will only be as good as the doors and frames they are installed in.

I have keyed some Schlage industrial locks for a Doctors office and they seemed pretty good. At work we used Best locks that were the interchangeable core type.

Dave

That is true. I have a metal front door and the other doors are 1 hour fire rated.

Dave

Absolutely...also make sure you don't use those 1/2" screws (or whatever they are) that come with the locks, a good kick will break most free from the frame. Use 2-3" screws instead. Nothing will keep a determined burglar out however. After my neighbor's door was kicked in a few years ago, I replaced all of my screws.

That's right. In the eighties, while I was out of town, someone broke down my front door, with deadbolts locked, in late afternoon, close to a busy public street. He used a crowbar splitting the door casing! The policeman looked at the scene and said that is the work of a professional. "It is the fastest way to get into a door because the frames around them are built cheaply"

A bottle jack and a length of pipe will open most door jambs. I have Baldwin. I laugh when I see front doors with stained glass side lights and thumb locks on the inside. My old house had them and I replaced the inside deadbolt with a keyed cylinder. But as others have said, a determined burglar is going to get in.

I would go Baldwin but not buy it at a big box HD or Lowes. They have their own sku numbers and are not the same quality.

I currently have a Kwikset and the tumblers liberated themselves from the core about two weeks ago. I just bought a new one and replaced the core but when I get around to replacing my front door I will buy a Baldwin lockset. It will likely cost almost as much as the door.

1st time our office got robbed they broke down the whole door.

Later that day I'm looking at one of the other doors and thought, dumb ass robbers and even dumber ass builders.

All the external door hinges were on the outside of the building so all they had to do was push out the pins and squeeze thru the door.

I had them weld the pins in.

Commercial is the way to go. It's going to cost you.
Medico, Unilock ,Schalge maybe add some other anti theft stuff.
That being said, the right construction tools will get pass most anything.

I'm not talking only about security. The locks and handles are junk. Baldwin is nice, but it's the same keyway pattern as Schlage.

Schlage has different keyways. They make a "C" keyway I think that's standard. Then there is an "E" &"F". However, again we are talkin commercial lock.

Schlage does have several series of locks. I have even installed fire rated locks. Never noticed a different key style. But, looking at their .pdf catalog, I see a double row pin cut. Now that is impressive.

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Yeah, sidebar pins ASSA came out with that years ago the patent ran out now the other companies have their version. Can't pick them difficult to drill out . Pain in the A$$ if someone buts gum or glue in the keyway. Actone will get the key in to open but.

That's very unsafe in a fire. Don't want to be looking for a key in the dark/smoke. Can't do it on a new home, and I didn't think double sided deadbolts were still available.

The locksets available in the 'big box' stores are a cheaper quality than those available from online stores and lumberyards.

The locks and handles are junk.
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