How To Choose a Deadbolt
So you’re looking for a new deadbolt, and you're cruising through the door hardware aisle at Home Depot. You quickly discover there are way more locks than you thought. You see a $20 Defiant, a $30 Weiser, and a $60 Schlage. They all look sort of similar so you’re stuck on what to buy. Like anything else, it’s all about quality. There is a stark difference between a $20 Defiant and a $60 Schlage. It all comes down to how many times the lock can be used before it will break. Deadbolts are tested by ANSI, the American National Standards Institute and receive a grading.
Budget Tier - Grade 3 Deadbolts
Deadbolts found in the $15-$30 bracket are going to be grade three. This means they’ll be able to withstand approx. 800k openings, and two strikes of 75 pounds of force. From our experience though, they never last that long. Lack of maintenance, improper use, and rust will kill these locks well before that. Generally speaking, these locks are made from cheaper metal. Looking right at you Weiser SmartKey. The plating on certain finishes is done poorly and will wear faster than others. They will feel cheap in your hands, you’ll be able to feel that the metal is thin.
Mid-Tier - Grade 2 Deadbolts
For most residential applications this is the ideal bracket to purchase in, coming in at roughly $50-$90 per deadbolt. Grade 2 deadbolts are made to withstand the same 800k openings, but will withstand up to five strikes of 75 pounds of force. You’re not gaining much in this regard, where you’ll notice the difference is in the finish and feel. There is a substantial difference in overall quality of say a Schlage B60 and a Defiant $20 special. At the grade 2 deadbolt level you’ll also start to see shrouds on your deadbolt. A shroud prevents manipulating the bolt from above with a screwdriver. With the right shroud it will also help prevent cranking the lock around with a wrench. When you grip onto the thumb turn though, you’ll notice a massive difference in quality. Even throwing the bolt into the frame has a more rigid feel to it.
Top-Tier - Grade 1 Deadbolts
We’re going to cover these, but these are overkill for residential applications. With 1M openings and 10 strikes of 75 pounds of force, these locks while amazing, carry a hefty price tag, around the $250-$300 mark. What are you really gaining from this price jump? Not much. Yeah the lock is manufactured better, it’s likely a high security keyway, but the reality is in terms of kicking your door in, it’s not radically different than the grade two. The real reason this level exists is for industrial applications. You can also sink a high security cylinder into most grade 2 deadbolts as well, and even some grade 3 deadbolts too. Are grade 1 deadbolts better? Of course, but you need to consider the application. Is this going on your front door? Do you live in an apartment? Are there glass windows? Do you have a doggy door? Won’t you feel silly spending hundreds of dollars on one lock and then someone just smashes your window to get in?
To wrap it up…
While we don’t recommend a grade 3 deadbolt unless your budget is super tight, going to a grade 1 deadbolt also isn’t quite worth it for most scenarios. Just like Goldy Locks, grade 2 deadbolts are just right. You get what you pay for, but there are diminishing returns. A grade 2 deadbolt such as a Schlage B60 is that perfect middle ground of quality and price.
Are you looking to replace your current deadbolts and are located in Langley or Surrey? Give us a call today, or visit our Lock Installation and Repairs page for more information.
