So you’ve moved into your first new home—congratulations! Welcome to the great adventure of homeownership. As you’re surveying your new property, you’ve noticed something perplexing: there’s no deadbolt on any of your exterior doors. You think that perhaps this is either a sign that you’ve moved to a very safe neighborhood, or that all those folks out there with deadbolts have just been suckered.
As a seasoned locksmith in Bergen County, NJ, Atlas Lock & Key Co. Inc. may not know for sure about the relative safety of your new neighborhood, but we do know this: you should install deadbolts, and right away. Here are some reasons why:
- Regular key-in-knob locks are easy to pick: You’ve heard stories about burglars picking locks with a credit card, right? Well, it really is that easy to do with spring-loaded locks. While anyone who truly wants to break into your home will find a way, putting only a key-in-knob lock between an intruder and your possessions isn’t putting up much of a fight.
- Forced entry with a deadbolt is risky and time-consuming: As we said, a burglar who really wants to get into your house will find a way to do so. But the main advantage of a deadbolt is that it makes it a whole lot harder to do so, at least via the door. Breaking into a deadbolt-locked door takes a substantial amount of time, and your typical burglar won’t want to be spending a whole lot of time at your front door, risking visibility, while struggling to break into your home. The mere presence of a deadbolt may act as a deterrent.
- Deadbolts have a secure locking system: As is evidenced by the difficulty of breaking through one, deadbolt locks offer a much stronger and more secure lock than regular key-in-knob locks. The hardened steel bolt must be at least an inch in diameter, and other elements of the lock, such as the screws, must be tightly secured and difficult to access. Furthermore, the bolt, when the lock is thrown, should extend at least one inch from the edge of the door.
- Deadbolts are relatively inexpensive: When you compare the cost of a deadbolt lock to the cost of a home security system, the lock is substantially less expensive. In fact, decent deadbolts are available for under $50, while higher-end options can cost several hundred dollars. It’s possible to find deadbolts for $20 or $30, but these are often made out of cheaper materials and are going to provide less security than you probably need. You get what you pay for.
In short, deadbolts provide not just an extra layer of home security, but an essential one. Given the ease of installation and the low cost, you can’t afford to be without deadbolts for your exterior doors. Give Atlas Lock & Key Co. Inc. a call today to schedule a visit with your locksmith in Bergen County, NJ, and make sure your new home is as secure as it can be.