How to Choose and Install a Baldwin Brass Keyed Entry Knob or Lever & Deadbolt by Hardware Experts

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By Jim Long, President, A Touch of Brass

Choosing locks for your exterior doors is one of the most important decisions you´ll make as a homeowner. You´ll be entrusting the safety and security of your family and your possessions – not to mention your daily peace of mind – to whatever lock you buy. Don´t just grab something off the shelf!

Instead, invest a little more time and money in making your choice. Do this right. Your extra effort could mean the difference between a formidable-looking lock that is built to last and the sort of wimpy lock that every burglar dreams of. You want your lock to be a deterrent to would-be invaders, not an invitation to a hassle-free break-in.

Consider your needs before you shop.

Think of all the points of entry to your home, including the front door, the back door, and the door connecting your house to your garage. You´ll want to keep them all secure, and the best way is with a combination of a keyed entry lock and a deadbolt.

• A keyed entry lock is a lock that can´t be opened from the outside without a key. Keyed entries are available as door knobs or door levers and come in a wide variety of styles and finishes.

• Deadbolts are stronger than keyed entries because they come with a deadlatch. This makes it harder for a criminal to tamper with them.

Having a keyed entry lock and a deadbolt will only help if they are quality locks. Some criminals can size up a lock as quickly as a professional locksmith. Burglars are looking for homes with the fewest and weakest obstacles to entry. Those homes become targets. A good lock isn´t easy to pick and it won´t cave in with one good kick.

What counts as a "good lock"?

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has a grading system for locks. A lock that has an ANSI rating of Grade 1 is considered the highest level of residential security. Grades 2 and 3 are considered intermediate and basic, respectively. All of the locks we sell at A Touch of Brass are Grade I. Only commercial grade locks are stronger.

Unfortunately, there are still ways that criminals can bypass ANSI Grade I locks. Often, burglars will break the glass near a door, reach in and unlock the door from the inside. You can prevent this with a double cylinder lock.

A double cylinder lock requires a key to lock or unlock the door from either side. If a criminal broke the glass near your door and felt for the lock, all they would feel is another key hole. Double cylinder locks are great for ensuring security when you and your family are out of the house, but they should never be used when you are in your home. A keyed exit is a fire hazard; in an emergency you wouldn´t have time to fumble for a key to disengage the lock.

• A note about safety: Make sure your fire exits are never locked in any way that can´t be quickly unlocked by every member of your family.

Ensuring a good fit for your new lock.

Your new locks need to fit your door´s backset and thickness. The backset is the distance between the hole your lock will go in and the edge of the door. Make sure you have these measurements ready when you order your lock.

Choosing a finish.

Exposure to the elements can make exterior door hardware age much faster than interior hardware. If you´re worried that your investment won´t last, get a Lifetime Finish. Baldwin Hardware offers all its locks in Lifetime Brass, Lifetime Satin Nickel and Lifetime Polished Nickel. These finishes are guaranteed not to weather or tarnish over time. But if they do, Baldwin Hardware will provide a new lock at no extra charge.

Visit our keyed entry and deadbolt sections and start shopping for a reliable and beautiful lock today!

Have questions? You can go to our site and Ask Jim or call us at 1-800-272-7734

www.atouchofbrass.com