Need A Quality Entrance Door Lock

G

George7941

Joined
May 10, 2005
Messages
3,027
Location
Toronto, Canada
This is an example
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/sc...ial-entry-door-lock-knob-rated-aaa/1000165451

This is for a rental unit and I had to go on a Saturday evening to open the door because the latch broke apart. Existing lock is a basic Defiant/ Home Depot one.

Home Depot has Schlage and Weiser. The Schlage I linked above is claimed to be commercial quality. Is that all I need or do I go to a locksmith for a Medeco or another expensive lock?
 
The linked knob is ANSI Grade 2 (400k cycles) which is likely the best you can get for residential without going to commercial sizing.

If you want levers for better ergonomics, I've used these without issue so far. It's not advertised on the page but they are also Grade 2:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000KKX4ZS/?psc=1

Somewhat related but I've heard that the Weiser SmartKey rekeying feature also causes a lot of issues.
 
I'd recommend going to a locksmith.
I have a Schlage 6 pin that I have had over 10 years.
It really is a quality piece, and cheaper than a Medeco.
The Medeco is really only necessary if you need key management.
 
the Schlage orbit you are looking at is a great lock,this is exactly what I have on my house, along with a matching dead bolt, I worked hospital maintenance most all of my life and Schlage (doors) is mostly what we used, cheap priced locks are not worth it,poor security and they don't last as well. Proper installation you may want to consider along with frame reinforcement.
 
KevinMalone said:
If you want levers for better ergonomics, I've used these without issue so far. It's not advertised on the page but they are also Grade 2:
Click to expand...
This rental unit is in a somewhat sketchy neighbourhood and I am nervous about a lever lock being forced. The existing lock is lever operated and I was considering switching to knob just because it cannot be forced like a lever can. I hope the lever locks are designed so that the lever just shears off if forced without compromising security.
 
George7941 said:
This rental unit is in a somewhat sketchy neighbourhood and I am nervous about a lever lock being forced. The existing lock is lever operated and I was considering switching to knob just because it cannot be forced like a lever can. I hope the lever locks are designed so that the lever just shears off if forced without compromising security.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, although the deadbolt provides all the security IMO. Make sure you have a security strike plate if you don't already. The door will be more difficult to kick in:

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/pr...-h-x-1-1-8-in-w-steel-satin-nickel/1000735174

I actually replaced Orbit knobs with levers due to accessibility. The knobs were a bit difficult to grasp but I guess that's your tenants problem!
 
George7941 said:
This rental unit is in a somewhat sketchy neighbourhood and I am nervous about a lever lock being forced. The existing lock is lever operated and I was considering switching to knob just because it cannot be forced like a lever can. I hope the lever locks are designed so that the lever just shears off if forced without compromising security.
Click to expand...
Dont worry about a lock being forced. It takes literally a second or two to disable ANY lock in any residential door.
One kick of the foot and the door breaks open. It has nothing to do with the lock. Either the door frame gives way or the door gives way. Not the lock.

The only way to prevent a kick in, is a commercial steel door AND commercial steel frame with dead bolt.
Thieves do not disable locks. They kick in doors, takes a second or two.
So save your money and just get a good reliable lock like you already posted. All you want is a lock that will hold up to heavy use, locks do not prevent break ins and if someone wants to kick in a door they will.
 
As soon as I bought my house I swapped all the locks/deadbolts to Schlage locks. The ones you get at the big box store are probably the best you're gonna get without going to a locksmith. Being a rental I will note they are super easy to re-key yourself and they sell kits online. I've re-keyed hundreds of those things at the old hardware store I used to work at. Internals are much better than the Kwikset brand you also get at the same box store.
 
No one is going to kick this door in - it is a steel commercial door. It has a glass insert but there is wire mesh reinforcement for the glass. No strike plate reinforcements needed either.

I bought the Schlage Orbit today and will install it Monday or Tuesday. I will take pics and post them and you will see why no one is kicking this door in.
 
George7941 said:
No one is going to kick this door in - it is a steel commercial door. It has a glass insert but there is wire mesh reinforcement for the glass. No strike plate reinforcements needed either.

I bought the Schlage Orbit today and will install it Monday or Tuesday. I will take pics and post them and you will see why no one is kicking this door in.
Click to expand...
I certainly believe you!
Very rare indeed for a residential unit
 
George7941 said:
Good to know that Schlage is that good. Kwikset is one brand locksmiths sell around here.
Click to expand...

The Kwiksets you buy at a locksmith are different. They make a 6 pin version that is pretty decent. Little bit harder to re-key and the internals are better than your box store version.
 
Installed the Schlage today. As you can see, the metal is thick, the glass sections are reinforced with mesh, and the door overlaps the jamb, so it is not possible to jimmy the latch open. Third pic shows the view from the sidewalk. Good thing neighbours are nosy and keep an eye out on what is going on.

It has always been single guys in the basement apartment but this time it is a female, so security is more of a concern.

Any noise, like someone bashing in the door, will attract attention for the other two units in the house and also from the neighbours.
IMG_1731.webp
IMG_1734.webp
Apt.webp
 
No need to kick the door in when you can just pop it off the hinges! How odd that a residential entry door swings out and doesn't have a deadbolt.
 
Door was installed in 2013, eleven years of being exposed to the rain has probably caused the hinge pins to seize in place. I doubt the pins are coming out without a lot of fight.

The advantage to a deadbolt is that it cannot be jimmied open. This door overlaps the jamb, making it impossible to jimmy the latch.
 
George7941 said:
This is an example
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/sc...ial-entry-door-lock-knob-rated-aaa/1000165451

This is for a rental unit and I had to go on a Saturday evening to open the door because the latch broke apart. Existing lock is a basic Defiant/ Home Depot one.

Home Depot has Schlage and Weiser. The Schlage I linked above is claimed to be commercial quality. Is that all I need or do I go to a locksmith for a Medeco or another expensive lock?
Click to expand...
Go with the Schlage and if they have it opt for one that can be re-keyed. They're called smart locks but dont use batteries. I used these at an apartment complex when I worked maintenance. It lets you re-key the locks and not have to buy an all new lock.
 
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