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I use Medeco locks and they are significantly better is several regards than Schlage or other home-center brands. First off, the construction of a Medeco is as good as it gets in residential lock hardware. This helps thwart physical assult on the door and lock… the most common means of a burgler gaining entry. In most cases you will need to reinforce hinges, strike plates and other parts of the door assembly because they will be weaker than the lock.
Also, the Medeco is virtually pick-proof. Finally, Medeco offers a higher-security version of their locks which restrict having copies of the key being made. The lower of the levels limits a locksmith (only certain locksmiths have the machinery for Medeco key cutting) to making a copy only if a card with a special code is presented along with the key. The machine cna not make a key copy without the code. The higher level can only have extra keys made at the factory.
In my mind the relatively small cost of a top-of-the-line Medeco lock is worth the peace of mind knowing your family and home are a bit safer. But don’t forget to reinforce the door and secure windows and alternate entry points into the home as well.
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I use Medeco locks and they are significantly better is several regards than Schlage or other home-center brands. First off, the construction of a Medeco is as good as it gets in residential lock hardware. This helps thwart physical assult on the door and lock... the most common means of a burgler gaining entry. In most cases you will need to reinforce hinges, strike plates and other parts of the door assembly because they will be weaker than the lock.
Also, the Medeco is virtually pick-proof. Finally, Medeco offers a higher-security version of their locks which restrict having copies of the key being made. The lower of the levels limits a locksmith (only certain locksmiths have the machinery for Medeco key cutting) to making a copy only if a card with a special code is presented along with the key. The machine cna not make a key copy without the code. The higher level can only have extra keys made at the factory.
In my mind the relatively small cost of a top-of-the-line Medeco lock is worth the peace of mind knowing your family and home are a bit safer. But don't forget to reinforce the door and secure windows and alternate entry points into the home as well.
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All manufacturer's make cheap locks and good ones.
Medico and others do make premium locks with fancy anti-pick designs and special keys. Once these are installed, someone will just kick in the door and split the jamb.
Reinforce the jamb and they'll break a window. Steel plate all windows and they'll still find a way in.
Local paper two days ago. A guy was arrested for breaking into the local dollar store (cause they've got such nice stuff.) Broke in by breaking a hole in the concrete block wall with a hammer. You can't keep people out!!!
*I absolutely agree.If they want in bad enough, you can't keep them out. But you can make it so they have to want in awfully bad before they can get in. Make it harder for them, and maybe they'll go over to the neighbor's house instead.
*schlage is available in all of the levels steve just described..if you go to a real lumber yard they can show you the catqalogue that describes the differences in the different series..most upscale locksets are not needed.. a good thumb-latch deadbolt is about as much as you need.. most amateur break-ins are kick-ins... so reinforcing the dead bolt and latch area will do more for security than upgrading the lock... that and not hiding a key where the well informed burglar can find it...b but hey, whadda i no ?
*A guy I know, after being burglarized four or five times, started leaving his doors unlocked. He said " they are gonna get in if they want in, and I'm gettin awful tired of replacing doors and jambs"
*Of coarse, there is more to lock sets than just security. What about durability of finish and reliability?
*The average locksmith shop probably pays as much for a basic door lock as a homeowner pays at the home-boxes. Realizing that only those that need actual customer service before purchase come to them, they charge accordingly. The logic of a pick-proof lock with strict key control, for all but a celebrities home is flawed. Nobody picks locks to break in do they? Certainly nobody used key codes or key gauges to gain illegal entry do they? The basic Kwickset locks used here are very easy to pick. This fact does not stop perps from kicking in doors.Literally security is an illusion, therefore finish, style, reliability, and ease of service make up the context of design and selection criteria. For me that means Schlage locks of grade, style, and finish for the intended usage.joe d
*The only use for pick proof locks or locks that can't be keyed with standard equipment is in hotels, prisons, or similar places. Not to keep guests and burglers out but to keep the maintenance staff from duplicating keys, entering off limits areas etc.
*Sounds like a good security system with off-site monitoring is in order. Since "they" can just kick in the door, or break the window, or bust a hole in the brick wall, I like the idea of a motion detector, glass break, and some trip switches on the windows & doors (and smoke detectors) being watched by someone right next to a phone 24/7.This solves all your troubles at once, plus more peace of mind when at work, at the beach, asleep...I thought it would be really expensive but it was reasonable for me.
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I am replacing the lock in an entry door. The door is bored for key in knob and a separate deadbolt.
I can go to the local hardware stores, Home Depot, or Lowe's and buy a lock with a good name on it (Schlage, etc.) for $30 or so, or I can go to a local locksmith and pay $80 to $100.
Is there a real difference in quality?