How To Choose A Deadbolt Lock

How To Choose A Deadbolt Lock

Deadbolt locks are an essential part of securing your home or business. The wrong lock can leave your home open to theft, so it’s important to choose one that protects you and your family. You can choose from a variety of styles and finishes. But before you pick out a new deadbolt, it’s vital to understand what makes one good for your home or business and which ones don’t.

Deadbolt Locks

A deadbolt lock is an important security feature to keep your home or business safe. These locks require a key to open and prevent intruders from entering your property. Choosing a deadbolt is a process that should be taken seriously and involves several factors. The lock must fit the door properly, be durable and secure enough to withstand any forced entry attempt. Burglars can break into a house using a variety of methods, including kicking the door, picking the lock with a device or prying it open with a crowbar. A high-quality deadbolt can resist these attacks and may even thwart them until the burglar gets tired or scared of making too much noise. There are many different types of deadbolts on the market. They range from flimsy to heavy-duty and high-security locks that can withstand drilling attacks.

The Grade Of The Lock

When it comes to exterior door hardware, the grade of the lock is a crucial consideration. You need to choose a deadbolt lock that is strong and durable enough to protect your home or business. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) have created an ANSI grade system to help consumers identify which products meet their needs. These standards include a number of controlled laboratory tests. Strength, Cycle and Finish Tests determine the strength of the lock against forceful entry methods. During these tests, the lock must hold up against a specific weight for a certain period of time. The most secure locks get a Grade 1 rating. These are typically used in commercial buildings or where the toughest security is needed. They are also excellent heavy-duty options for residential applications. They are also more difficult to bypass than locks of a lower grade.

The Design Of The Faceplate

The design of the faceplate is a critical component to your deadbolt installation. While a rectangular design is easier to install, rounded corner faceplate latches are popular because they look better in a wooden door. The type of deadbolt you choose depends on the security needs of your home and your personal preferences. There are several different types of locks that can help you improve your home’s safety, including single- and double-cylinder designs, as well as vertical deadbolts. In addition, you’ll want to choose a strike plate for your new lock. These plates will attach to the door jamb and protect the area around the latch and bolt of your deadbolt, as well as the edges of your door.

The Size Of The Lock

A deadbolt lock is a common door feature that helps protect your property. They come in different sizes, depending on your door’s dimensions. It’s important to choose the right one for your home. The standard size of a deadbolt is 2 1/8 inches in diameter for the cross bore, and a 1 inch diameter for the latch bore. It also requires a minimum of 5 1/2 to 6 inches of space between the deadbolt and any other door locks below it. You can purchase a deadbolt lock kit to help you determine the size of your lock. They usually include a template and instructions to help you with your measurements.

Ask A Professional

Whether you’re in the market for a lock to protect your home or business, you can rely on our expert team here at Artie’s Lock and Key. Our staff has years of experience installing and repairing deadbolts for our clients and we’re confident that we can find the perfect match for you. Our technicians have the expertise and equipment necessary to secure your home or business with deadbolts that are tailored to fit your specific needs. Contact us today!

Why Smart Locks Are a Must Have for the Holidays

Why Smart Locks Are a Must-Have for the Holidays

Holidays are synonymous with visiting family and having fun, often in places away from home which require accommodation. Whether you are the renter or the visitor of the holiday lodgings, having the property kitted out with a smart lock will ensure fewer problems with entry keys.

Is a smart lock a good idea?

Smart locks allow for convenient access to your home. Whether you want to access your own home or are renting a holiday home, smart locks remove the necessity for a physical key to open the door.

The smart lock opens the door with a signal transmitted over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth without needing a key.

Various models of smart locks are available, depending on your preference of which technology you trust the most. You can get locks that open by using your phone or a code you need to punch into a keypad. If you don’t want to ditch the key completely, there are smart locks that act as key safes mounted next to your front door that allow you to access a physical key when you punch in the correct secret code. A definite safety upgrade of “the key is hidden under the third plant under the window, counting from the left” type of scenario.

What are the benefits of smart locks?

As you allow technology to automate various functions in your home, installing smart locks is the next step to a safer, more convenient home.

There are different smart locks available on the market, and you can choose according to what you need the lock to do. For instance, you may want to keep tabs on who enters and leaves your home while you are not there. 

A smart lock can record every time the door is opened or closed. Each person allowed to enter is given a specific code, and as the codes are recorded throughout the day, you will be able to see who has entered your home and how long they stay. This feature is especially helpful when you have a cleaning or dog walking service you pay for by the hour. Not only does it prevent those service companies from overcharging you, but it also provides peace of mind that your home has been cleaned and your dog has had his walk.

A smart lock allows you to open and close your home remotely. If you have visitors renting out your holiday property, it saves them the inconvenience of picking up and looking after a physical key. A simple code you send to their phone can open the door and allow them access to come and go throughout their stay. 

Smart key technology has made our homes more secure and easier to enter. The various smart locks available are relatively easy to install, but to be sure that the installation is done professionally, it is a good idea to consult your locksmith. 

Artie’s Lock and Key locksmith services are always ready to help if you need a new smart lock installation or need to sort out some issues with your existing smart lock. Call us at (703) 273-2177, or visit Artie’s Lock and Key, 11204 Lee Hwy Fairfax, VA 22030.

Important Tips on Keeping Your Home Safe for the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, it is now more necessary than ever to figure out the best ways to keep your home safe and secure. Many people travel during the holiday season, as such, this means your home might be unattended. There are tons of ways to make sure your home is safe and secure this holiday season, and we are here to help.

How Do I Prepare my House for the Holidays?

One of the best things that you can do is make sure that you are not putting your travel plans up so that just anyone can see them. Putting your plans online can give burglars an insight into when your home is unattended and when the best time to strike might be. Another great tip is to let your neighbors know if you are leaving for a trip. By letting them know when you are going to be gone and who might come by your home while you are gone, they can help keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.

You also want to be sure you are hiding your packages and gifts that might be left out. If you have a mailman that is going to be dropping off packages you want to ensure that you are either having them delivered to the back of your home or out of sight so that people that want to steal them off your porch cannot see them.

How Can I Increase Safety in My House?

When it comes to the safety of your home as a whole, you first want to check your furnace and chimney. You will likely switch on the heat or use the fireplace, so making sure that both are in good shape and safe to use is a must. If you have a chimney that needs to be cleaned, it should be taken care of before you start using it. Your furnace should also be serviced to help prevent fire and to ensure that it is going to work properly this winter.

You also need to make sure you inspect your Christmas lights and take down any that pose a fire hazard. Lights that have frayed plugs or cords, lights that are very old, or lights that are not working properly should be taken down and replaced. If you notice that any lights are getting hot or that you smell an electrical smell, you should take your lights down and inspect them thoroughly.

Your home is a huge part of your life and keeping it safe is a must. During the holidays it can be easy to forget things. Taking the time to check all the boxes and make sure your home is safe can help make this holiday season safer than ever before.

The Advantages of Hiring a Professional for Your Commercial Door Problems

Commercial door problems are something best left in the hands of professionals. It’s not something that you would want to work on as a DIY project, especially because the general public is accessing it. 

A broken commercial door is not only inconvenient but is also a real source of liability risk. If any one of your patrons gets injured in some way because of the broken door, you could find yourself facing a real problem if they claim liability damages.

That’s the worst-case scenario, though, and one that doesn’t have to happen to you! As long as you stay on top of the maintenance and repair needs in your commercial property, you should be able to ensure the safety and security of your visitors. 

Why hire a professional to fix commercial doors?

Many commercial property owners find themselves asking, “Should I hire someone to fix my business door?”

The short and straight answer to that is a definite yes! There are many benefits to calling in a professional to fix this problem for you. 

Technical Expertise

For one thing, commercial doors are the same as the typical doors you have in your home. Depending on what kind of material you chose, it can be heavier, more complex in its mechanism, or even automated. 

If only for this, you should leave it in the hand of experts who have the technical know-how to handle doors like this. Not only can they get a proper diagnosis of the problem, but they can also easily repair or even replace it as needed. 

Cost-Efficient

Because commercial doors play such an important role in your business storefront, it makes sense that you will invest in them as well. This includes giving it the proper care and maintenance it deserves.

Although it may seem costly on the surface, hiring a professional to work on your commercial doors is actually going to prove more cost-efficient in the long run. Getting a professional for the job ensures that it will be done right the first time. 

There’s no need to undo and redo mistakes, which can certainly add costs the more you do it. Doing it DIY also increases the risk of worsening the problem. What started out as a simple repair job can quickly turn into a replacement job. You can avoid this scenario right off the bat when you hire a professional.

Better Peace of Mind

Ultimately, you just want your commercial doors fixed. There’s no need to complicate or prolong the process. A professional will have the tools, the skills, and the know-how to take the appropriate steps in order to fix the door. 

Let the pros do their job so you can focus on doing yours.