Double-cylinder dead bolts require keys to open the lock from the interior as well as the exterior. above the keyed entry (locking door handle) or handle set (handle and dead bolt combination) for added security. Where they go: On exterior doors, typically 6 to 12 in. Most go for $8 to $16, though high-end forged, solid- brass locks can cost 10 times that. Interior locks cost considerably less than exterior locks. As with exterior locks, look for dual-torque springs to keep knobs from sagging and a no-tarnish lifetime finish. Also be sure there’s an emergency release (look for a small hole in the center of the handle) that lets you open the door from outside with a paper clip in an emergency. But you might want a model with a latch kickoff that keeps the door from accidentally locking behind you. Interior door locks only prevent nuisance entry-they won’t keep bad guys at bay. As for esthetics, look for dual-torque springs that prevent knobs from sagging and a no-tarnish lifetime finish. Another terrific convenience is universal keying, which allows you to carry one house key despite having installed locks on other doors from different makers. A handle set that allows you to open both the dead bolt and latch from inside with a single motion is convenient and could be a lifesaver in an emergency. And because a latch or bolt is only as strong as the strike plate it engages, make sure the lock you’re considering comes with a heavy-duty plate and 3-in. On dead bolts, look for hardened pins that can withstand sawing. An antitheft option you should look for on locksets or handle sets is a dead-locking latch bolt it prevents burglars from jimmying the latch with a credit card. Higher-end units typically feature solid, forged-brass components and a Grade 2 or even a Grade 1 (commercial duty) security rating. Prices vary from $25 to over $300, reflecting a wide range of quality and style. You have a choice of separates-a deadbolt and a lockset mounted separately-or a handle set that incorporates both features. To be truly secure, any exterior door needs a dead bolt. The obvious purpose of any lock is to keep unwanted people out, but the kind of lock you buy depends on where it’s going in the house and your budget. In case all you need is a way to keep the kids out of your room at nap time or a new door handle for the closet, we also tell you how to judge the offerings in privacy and passage locksets. We’ve done the initial research on three major types of exterior locks on the market-keyed-entry doorknobs, handle sets and dead bolts-to sort out features and costs. But picking the right lockset can be very confusing. Today’s locks offer much greater protection. Although not all break-ins are preventable, exterior locks and dead bolts are your most important line of defense. You can now replace it and your jammed deadbolt lock saga is over.Ī jammed deadbolt lock is a frustrating problem, but with a little patience is one any DIYer can tackle.Are you still relying on the lock that was on the front door when you moved into your house? The lock seems like an old, dear friend, but it may not be. Open the door towards you and find the lock. It is time to remove the sliding bolt mechanism. It should loosen the jam quite easily from this angle. Place a flathead screwdriver into the shaft and try turning it by hand. You are now in a position to remove the jam. If it didn’t, you need to remove it separately. Once this is done, you need to see whether the lock came free with the plate or not. You will need to twist the plate to the side slightly before it will come loose. Occasionally the outside faceplate is held in position by a small grub screw, which will need to be removed before the plate will move. There is usually a screw or two that keep it in place. This one can be slightly different to make sure people can’t gain easy access from the outside. Once that is removed go to the outside of the door and remove that. The insides of these locks have a fair number of parts and they need to be kept in order if you intend to continue using the lock once the jam is repaired. This is how you will gain access to the inner workings of the deadbolt lock. These screws are long and take a fair amount of time to unscrew, but take your time and make sure you don’t bend them. Store the screws in the order that you removed them so they can be screwed back in later. The manual turning of the lock is situated in the position where you find the screws. The little manual handle that turns the lock from the inside is what you use to access the interior workings of the deadbolt lock. If it was easy to do, burglars would have no trouble entering locked homes. These need to be removed in order to gain access to the deadbolt lock.