Does a lock like this exist?

[Squelchtone]

kwoswalt99, Squelchtone - That's what I was hoping, thank you! I am securing my front door which is metal. I also have a back door I need to secure but it's a different problem; It is set into the door frame so the inside of the door is not flush with the wall but the outside of the door is, so in that case I would have to have a regular deadbolt I think. Right now the only locks on all my doors are doorknob locks, including the one that goes to the attached garage. Pretty bad I know. Not to mention there is patio slider. The house is like an invitation to come in.

LocksportSouth - Would these be able to be installed in a metal door? I assume so but wonder if that would require me to hire someone to do it.

Jacob Morgan - That's what I thought too but cannot find them. I thought I remembered having one in an old apt. I had but I'm not sure now. I'm pretty handy with tools so I'm going to give it a try first using a surface mount lock since it's a metal door.


Thank you everyone for your advice! This is a great forum.

Hi DLM1166, I know the internet has made it easy to research stuff like this for DIY folks, but since you mentioned metal door, it may be time to stop by a local locksmith shop near you (dont just call the first 1-800 number in the phone book, you don't want some hack running his business out of the back of his Buick showing up) and have a locksmith come out for a quote. It's worth paying them $50 bucks to come out and look at both doors, they may even waive that fee if you end up having them install one or both of the locks.

when you say metal door, do you mean aluminum clad wood frame door? You may just need to mark where the mounting screws will go, and use a 1/8 inch drill bit to get starter holes going, but don't drill too big or the screws won't have anything to bite into.
If the frame is metal, it may be tricky mounting the plate to the frame, hopefully you won't have to cut a recess into the metal frame, that could be lots of effort with a Dremel or some other cutting tools.

looking forward to any before and after pics or progress updates on your project!
Squelchtone

[Squelchtone]

nicer model:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Prime-Line-S ... /202245790

economy model:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Prime-Line-S ... /202245790

It looks like those two links are the same?

oooops, good catch!

Here's the economy model:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/First-Watch- ... /202799690

Thanks
Squelchtone

[Jacob Morgan]

if you do a search for "single sided deadbolt" you shouldfind some, when I searched for it it found some on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KE2RNO/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1452698084&sr=1-4&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=single+sided+deadbolt&dpPl=1&dpID=41jt1OGhuNL&ref=plSrch for example.

If you go that route I'd use the longest screws you can to attach the strike plate to the door jam. And make sure the dead bolt extents its full length when locked. If you're handy then pry off the trim covering the inside of the jam and glue a block of wood between the jam and the 2X4 near the dead bolts, then pre-drill and screw the strike plate all the way into the 2X4. Do the same with the hinges. So long as the door itself is strong no one is likely to kick that door in.

I've only installed one single-sided dead bolt and that was on a metal door, but it was fairly easy. Just stop drilling the moment the hole saw breaks through the metal on the inside of the door. And center-punch the steel door where the pilot drill goes so you drill where you mean to.

If you don't have deadbolts at all, I'd suggest you get them as well. Just having them may deter some burglars. They would also help prevent someone from entering your home when you are gone. Last thing you want to do is walk in on someone who broke in while you were away. At least some Schlage dead bolts come with security pins these days (for sure their mid-market residential ones--I just bought one) and it would take a skilled lock picker to get past that--not a bored teenage thrill seeker or the typical meth head with a set of bump keys. Or you could buy what you want and take it to a locksmith who could add security pins. I'd stay away from Kwikset and discount store brands. Or you could visit a locksmith and see what model they stand behind.

[Squelchtone]

if you do a search for "single sided deadbolt" you shouldfind some, when I searched for it it found some on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KE2RNO/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1452698084&sr=1-4&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=single+sided+deadbolt&dpPl=1&dpID=41jt1OGhuNL&ref=plSrch for example.

That's nifty, I like it a lot better than the style that has a blank plate on the outside of the door because that plate gives away that there is a lock in that location.

Do you think on this one that dark colored half moon sleeve is what the interior screws screw into to sandwich it all together?

Thanks for that link I have a back door that could use a couple of these at the top and bottom for extra kick in protection.

Squelchtone

[Jacob Morgan]

The single-sided deadbolt I installed a few years ago, the bolt itself and the two screws that attach to the edge of the door are what gives it what strength it has. The inside thumb turn latch plate does not give it any strength as far as I could tell.

[kwoswalt99-]

At least some Schlage dead bolts come with security pins these days (for sure their mid-market residential ones--I just bought one) and it would take a skilled lock picker to get past that--not a bored teenage thrill seeker or the typical meth head with a set of bump keys.

They are still vulnerable to bumping, there is little noticeable difference when bumping security pins.

[globallockytoo]

I realize this thread is not new.....but depending on how deep your pockets are you might want to take a look at the Knock-N-Lock