How to Choose a Deadbolt Lock
When it comes to protecting your business from intruders, having a secure deadbolt lock in place is vital. Deadbolt locks are heavy-duty locks that provide necessary additional security, aside from the doorknob.
A proper deadbolt lock on every exterior door of your business gives you peace of mind. Without these locks, your business may be in imminent danger.
So, how to choose a deadbolt? There are a few different types of deadbolt locks on the market. This means there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the best deadbolt to protect your business.
Single vs. Double Cylinder Locks
Single and double cylinder locks are typically used for different situations:
- Double-cylinder locks operate with a key on both sides of the deadbolt.
- Single-cylinder locks can be locked from the inside by a thumb turn.
Businesses often use double-cylinder deadbolt locks because they provide more security on exterior doors that have windows. When intruders attempt to break into a building through a window, the key lock on the inside of the door will stop them from entering.
But this was more of a concern in the past when windows weren’t as tough as they are today.
In fact, double-cylinder locks can be a hazard in emergency situations. To open them from the inside, you must use a key to unlock the door. With single-cylinder locks, you can immediately open the door and exit.
How to Select a Deadbolt for Your Business: Single or Double Cylinder
As security professionals, the locksmiths at Richmond Security recommend the following:
- Use a single-cylinder deadbolt lock on doors with no windows.
- Use a single-cylinder deadbolt lock on doors that have a window made of tough modern glass.
- Use a double-cylinder lock on doors that have a window made of old, weaker glass.
What Grade Lock Is Best?
Deadbolt locks come in three different grades that indicate their level of security. The best grade of deadbolt lock is Grade 1.
The grades are assigned by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This non-profit group was developed by the Builder’s Hardware Manufacturers (BHMA) to set standards for a variety of industries.
ANSI Grade 1
Grade 1 specifies deadbolts as “commercial grade.” These types of locks are typically used on business buildings since they’re the most secure.
To receive Grade 1, the deadbolt lock must pass the following tests:
- Has been tested to 250,000 open/close cycles.
- Has a bolt that projects one inch into the door frame.
- Can withstand 10 hammer blows of 75 pounds of force without giving away.
ANSI Grade 2
Grade 2 means it’s a “commercial grade” deadbolt lock with a mid-level price. These locks are not tested as vigorously as locks that pass Grade 1 standards. They’re most commonly used on residential property.
ANSI Grade 3
The lowest grade, these locks don’t have to withstand nearly as much force as Grade 1 and Grade 2 locks. Grade 3 deadbolt locks only need to hold up against two strikes of force. As the least resistant lock, they’re commonly used as a secondary security measure on doors.
Choosing a Deadbolt for Your Business: Grade 1, 2, or 3
At Richmond Security, we carry locks for all types of buildings, including Grade 1, 2, and 3 deadbolt locks. Our professionals recommend the following:
- Use an ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt lock for high traffic areas in your business.
- Use an ANSI Grade 2 lock for areas where your business has less foot traffic, and for residential purposes.
- Grade 3 is a lower grade lock that we can provide you upon request.
What Is a High-Security Lock?
In order to be classified as a high-security lock, deadbolt locks must meet the standards of an organization called the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This independent organization tests products and standards for security hardware.
The most difficult UL test to pass is the UL 437 security test. In order to pass, a deadbolt requires tests against:
- Forcing
- Drilling
- Prying
- Picking
- Lock bumping
- Sawing
- Impressioning
When choosing the proper deadbolt lock for high traffic areas in your business, our professionals recommend an ANSI Grade 1 lock that passes the UL 437 security tests.
Reasons to Call a Locksmith
Once you’ve identified the optimal deadbolt lock for your situation, you’ll need to figure out if you can install it yourself or if hiring a locksmith would be better.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- How many locks will you be installing?
- Is it for your residence or business?
- Does your building require a patented key control or master key system?
If you’re installing one simple lock on your residence and you’re pretty handy, you’re more than likely good to install it on your own.
But when it comes to installing a patented key control system on a business building, you better leave it to the professionals. Improperly installing one of your locks or misplacing a key will be detrimental to your business.
A one-time fee to install a foolproof lock system is a small price to pay to secure the future of your business.
What Does a Locksmith Do?
As well as correctly installing the best deadbolts for your situation, a locksmith can perform a number of vital tasks for your business.
Keep in mind that a solid deadbolt lock system is useless without a proper key control policy. This policy regulates which employees have keys to which areas of your premises — and you’ll need to call the professionals to help you get a robust system in place.
Other locksmith services include:
- You’re moving into a new home new or business premises
- You need to replace the lock due to damage or wear and tear
- A set of keys has been lost or stolen
Our locksmith experts at Richmond Security are glad to help you lock down physical security at your business. Get in touch with one of our experts today for a free security audit!
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