getting my locks changed...

[L1FE]

I closed on my townhouse last week and one of the things that I've been reading up on is to get the locks replaced. Also, looking at the front door, I noticed that the deadbolts are not reinforced meaning someone could probably just kick in the front door fairly easily. Since I'm completely new to this, do you guys have any lock recommendations and would it be best to get a locksmith? Thanks in advance!

 

[OCGuy]

Pfffft, this is ATOT. Not only should you install the locks yourself, you should make the locks yourself.

 

[JDMnAR1]

If you are changing out the entire lock and not having it re-keyed, do it yourself, assuming you know how to operate a screwdriver.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
If you are changing out the entire lock and not having it re-keyed, do it yourself, assuming you know how to operate a screwdriver.

That sounds like a lot of work, bro.

 

[BurnItDwn]

If you are very rich and lazy, pay someone to do it for you. If you aren't, then do it yourself, it's not very hard, and it won't eat up too much of your time.

 

[mshan]

Maybe find a local, reputable locksmith that sells and installs Medeco locks?: http://www.medeco.com/products/products.php

If you live in a safe condo community with lots of other eyes around during day, changing locks yourself might also work. Burglaries are probably more likely if you do dumb things like leave windows open while you are not there.

 

[Leros]

Replacing a lock is pretty easy. You unscrew two screws, slide the old lock out, slide the new lock in, and screw in the two screws.

You can buy several locks and the home improvement store can rekey them so they all use the same key.

 

[FoBoT]

if you want the door jams reinforced, get a professional

if you just want to change the knobs/locks, that is pretty easy, if you buy ones that fit exactly into the existing doors/jams

 

[L1FE]

Decided to do it myself after some more research and from the suggestions of everyone here. Also adding a strengthening plate to protect the wood for the deadbolt hole.

 

[waffleironhead]

why kick in the door when you have that nice window next to it?

 

[Atomic Playboy]

When I want to get my locks changed, I go to a barber.

 

[BoomerD]

Depending on the locksets in the house, you can either get them re-keyed or just replace them. If you opt for cheap locksets, you can replace them almost cheaper than re-keying them...

If you have quality locksets in the house already, why not replace the cylinders with Medeco cylinders?

http://www.medeco.com/products..._ID=3&category_ID=238&

 

[mugs]

Reinforcing the deadbolt isn't going to keep someone out of the house, it'll just delay them. If you use that extra time to get out of the house or to get your gun, :thumbsup: But don't expect a lock to prevent a determined person from getting into your house entirely.

Replacing a lock is really a simple thing to do. Do it yourself.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
When I want to get my locks changed, I go to a barber.

KOMGL0OL0OLL...

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: mugs
Reinforcing the deadbolt isn't going to keep someone out of the house, it'll just delay them. If you use that extra time to get out of the house or to get your gun, :thumbsup: But don't expect a lock to prevent a determined person from getting into your house entirely.

Replacing a lock is really a simple thing to do. Do it yourself.

Yep. Locks only keep out the honest people...but they SHOULD at least slow down the other kind.

 

[L1FE]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Depending on the locksets in the house, you can either get them re-keyed or just replace them. If you opt for cheap locksets, you can replace them almost cheaper than re-keying them...

If you have quality locksets in the house already, why not replace the cylinders with Medeco cylinders?

http://www.medeco.com/products..._ID=3&category_ID=238&

The existing lockset is pretty nice. I'll have to do some more research on the medeco cylinder and whether or not it works with our schlager set.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: L1FE
I closed on my townhouse last week and one of the things that I've been reading up on is to get the locks replaced. Also, looking at the front door, I noticed that the deadbolts are not reinforced meaning someone could probably just kick in the front door fairly easily. Since I'm completely new to this, do you guys have any lock recommendations and would it be best to get a locksmith? Thanks in advance!

get stainless steel strip on lenth of door jamb. that way if someone tries to kick in the door, they have to take the whole side of the frame with it.

get a pro locksmith to change all locks, and have it match so u only have 1 key.
or take all locks apart, take it to home depot, and have their locksmith do it.
of course in the hr or so it'll take you, your house will be unlocked! :Q

 

[StageLeft]

Do it yourself. BTW, don't be under any illusions that your locks can possibly stop an intruder. Even a child can kick a door in. I know because I did it myself as a kid when my brother wouldn't let me in. I wasn't even attempting to kick the door in, but in it went, the pitiful thin bit of door frame snapping like a few toothpicks.

of course in the hr or so it'll take you, your house will be unlocked!

Oh noes!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Don't use these guys
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y=y&keyword1=locksmith

 

[olds]

One thing you can do that is easy and cheap is to change out the screws that hold in your strike plates. IIRC, they are typically .75 inches long and only go into the jamb.
Replace them with 3 inch drywall screws and they will go through the jamb and into the stud.
That way if someone tries to kick in the door they have to break more that the jamb.

Danger, entering Paint zone.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
why kick in the door when you have that nice window next to it?

impact glass plus reinforced door...

but yeah, most spend too much time and money on locks, doors and reinforcements when their windows aren't even locked.

Latches <> locks

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Do it yourself. BTW, don't be under any illusions that your locks can possibly stop an intruder. Even a child can kick a door in. I know because I did it myself as a kid when my brother wouldn't let me in. I wasn't even attempting to kick the door in, but in it went, the pitiful thin bit of door frame snapping like a few toothpicks.

of course in the hr or so it'll take you, your house will be unlocked!

Oh noes!

I accidentally kicked a door in too, except I was in college and the police came.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Do it yourself. BTW, don't be under any illusions that your locks can possibly stop an intruder. Even a child can kick a door in. I know because I did it myself as a kid when my brother wouldn't let me in. I wasn't even attempting to kick the door in, but in it went, the pitiful thin bit of door frame snapping like a few toothpicks.

of course in the hr or so it'll take you, your house will be unlocked!

Oh noes!

I accidentally kicked a door in too, except I was in college and the police came.

stripper for a cop party?