Top 5 Ways to Secure Your Residential Homes Front Door

While there are many different reasons one may want to increase the security of their home, the front door is an important access point that shouldn’t be overlooked from a security standpoint. In this article, we will be going over some of our top picks for ways to secure your residential home from potential intruders and burglars.

It’s worth noting that no matter the level of security one might install; if someone has enough motivation and time to get inside, they probably will. Like the old saying goes “locks only keep honest people out”. These tips are to not only help secure a front home door for a longer period of time against someone on foot but they are also intended to provide deterrents to potential home intruders such as burglars.

It is also worth noting that currently in the United States, in 2020 alone, 60.5% of all crimes could be categorized as “crime against property” — FBI 2020 Incident Data

In 2010 there were 1,939,324 burglary offenses, while last year in 2020 there were only 903,627 — Crime Data Explorer.

This shows a steep decline in burglary offenses, which we believe is most likely attributed to an increase in security cameras, alarm systems, and other preventative measures.

Larceny-theft accounted for 73.4 percent of all property crimes in 2019. Burglary accounted for 16.1 percent, and motor vehicle theft for 10.4 percent. Property crimes in 2019 resulted in losses estimated at $15.8 billion — FBI

1. Use A High Quality & Secure Deadbolt

Using a good deadbolt lock is important for a majority of reasons, but it essentially boils down to “you get what you pay for”. A cheap $10 deadbolt lock is very easy to pick or drill into in most cases when compared to a high-security lock. Some of the most secure locks, in our opinion, are locks from Mul-T-Lock. High-quality deadbolts are generally built better, and from better materials, so they can withstand more abuse, and for longer, against forced entry attempts.

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It’s important to note that better locks do provide better security, but also at an elevated price compared to traditional locking deadbolts. When it comes to the security of your home, or your front door in particular, a good deadbolt is arguably one of the most important things that someone could do to improve their security.

2. Use Additional Locks & Latches (One-Sided Deadbolts)

Many homeowners may find that they only have one lock on their front door, and we think that’s not very safe. We are of the belief that every home door leading from the inside to the out be fitted with 3 different locks. This includes a secure deadbolt lock, a locking doorknob or lever, and a single-sided deadbolt. A single-sided deadbolt is a lock that can be flipped to locked or unlocked from inside the home but has no keyhole on the outside. Single-sided deadbolts are useful when someone is inside the home and wants to make sure no one else can get inside, such as during the nighttime. With a single-sided deadbolt installed, a burglar could unlock both the deadbolt and the doorknob, but still be unable to gain entry due to the inaccessible (to them) single-sided deadbolt. The only way to get into a single-sided deadbolt is through forced entry, which generally involves lots of noise like drilling or prying.

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Besides installing a single-sided deadbolt, we also recommend making sure that your doorknob or lever lock works properly and latches correctly in the door frame. It is true that doorknobs and lever locks are generally less secure than their deadbolt counterparts due to the way the latch is shaped and operates, but they can still add an additional layer of security for a home intruder to get through.

3. Use A Security Bar (Door Brace)

A security bar is a device that is propped up against the door and acts as a last-ditch backup to prevent entry. Security bars, at this point in time, are not yet wireless, so homeowners are only able to use them when they are home. Security bars are great, however, at preventing a door from being opened, even if the door is completely unlocked. In addition to security bars, there are many different types of latches that can be installed on the inside of the door, such as security latches that one might find in a hotel room.

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Security bars are relatively inexpensive and they can really make a difference. In the event that a home intruder is able to pick open your home locks quietly, they would be unable to open the door due to the security bar. Trying to force open a door with a security bar would result in noise, giving the homeowner enough time to flee, call for help, or provide them with enough time to stand their ground.

4. Add Deterrents (Alarms, Video Doorbells, Security Cameras, Dogs, Motion Floodlights, etc)

Besides just reinforcing the door itself, there are also many different ways to prevent burglars from seeing your home as a target in the first place. Adding deterrents is just as important as the actual security of your home itself.

By subcategory, 55.7 percent of burglaries involved forcible entry, 37.8 percent were unlawful entries, and 6.5 percent were attempted forcible entry (...) Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 62.8 percent of all burglary offenses — FBI

One of the best ways to deter forced entry attempts is to make your home seem like more trouble than it’s worth. This is why it’s important to add things like motion detecting floodlights, video doorbells, and other types of security systems.

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Homes without security systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into. — Reolink

According to interviewed burglars, some of the best ways to deter them is with a large breed of dog, or if they think you’re home. Most burglars will attempt to knock first to check if someone is home, and most will have backup stories in case someone is home (looking for my dog, sorry wrong house, etc).

KTVB asked 86 different burglars about what their biggest deterrents were and what didn’t bother them, the article can be found here.

5. Get A Strong Door & Reinforced Frame

It’s important not to neglect the strength of the actual door itself as well as the frame that the latches go into. Even if a door is fully equipped with some of the best locks on the market, the security of the entryway is only as strong as the weakest component. This means that strong locks won’t help much if the door itself is flimsy or insecure. From a security standpoint, it’s much better to have a thick wooden door, or even a metal door, versus a cheaper variant that’s filled with foam. Additionally, since the bolt latch will be going into the door frame, it’s important to ensure that the frame is reinforced properly, as to not give way in the event of a forced entry attempt.

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Besides replacing the door itself with a strong one, another helpful tip is to use larger screws to secure the latches to the door as well as to secure the metal pieces that the bolts rest inside of, on the frame itself. When attempting to kick open a locked door, all the pressure will transfer to the latches in the frame, therefore, it’s important to have latches and the frame reinforced. Besides using larger screws, or getting a stronger door, it’s possible to reinforce the frame itself with an additional piece of wood or metal.

Best Ways To Secure Your Home’s Front Door

To summarize some of the best ways to secure your home’s front door, we suggest adding deterrents to keep criminals away, using strong locks, backup locks, and a reinforced door frame with a strong door. Deterrents are excellent at keeping criminals away in the first place, especially if they see your home as too much of a challenge. In addition to keeping criminals away, having strong security measures for your front door is ideal for not only keeping you safe, but also your property. Having security cameras is also good because it can record break-ins, or break-in attempts, which can be important for insurance claims and also when filing a police report.

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About Us:

Locksmith Services Longmont is a local mobile locksmith company based out of Longmont, Colorado. We have been helping homeowners and businesses for years in the Northern Colorado area when it comes to securing their property and possessions. Our mobile locksmiths are available 24/7 to assist with lockouts, lock rekeying, lock replacements, lock installations, and much more.

Our mobile locksmiths have a quick arrival time, usually within 30-minutes or less from the time we receive a call for assistance.

All of our technicians are background checked and have years of experience working in the locksmith industry, along with the latest and greatest tools. If you are ever in the Northern Colorado area and require a fast and affordable locksmith service, we hope you’ll consider Locksmith Services Longmont.

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5 Tips For Choosing Locks For Your Rental Properties

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Congratulations on becoming a landlord! Buying an investment property is a huge financial and emotional undertaking. If you have done everything right, you are now on your way to earning passive income for many years to come. 

That said, owning an investment property comes with a ton of responsibilities. And, among that list of responsibilities is ensuring you provide your tenant with a safe property. This is important as about 2.5 million burglaries are committed annually here in the U.S (there’s one every 13 seconds).

Now, in any home, door locks are an important security system. They basically ensure that the home is only accessible to the rightful residents and not strangers. When looking to buy door locks, there are a couple of things worth considering. In this post we’ll be going over 5 tried-and-tested tips to help you choose the right locks for your rental properties. But first…

What are the Different Types of Door Locks?

Door locks come in many different types and vary in the level of security they provide. So, before choosing one for your rental property, make sure to understand what your needs are first. Below are some of the most common types of door locks.

• Deadbolt Locks: These are usually made from brass, steel, and other metal. They are heavier and thicker than your standard spring latch. Deadbolt locks can typically be operated with a key or through an electronic system that can move the bolt. Most deadbolt locks are used as anti-burglary defenses in residential homes. Common types of deadbolts include single- and double cylinder deadbolts.

• Mortise Locks: Mortise locks are typically made from stainless steel, solid brass, and other metals. Because of their strength and reliability, mortise locks are widely used in commercial spaces. It is basically a lock that requires a pocket to be cut into a piece of furniture or the door into which the lock is to be fitted. Read more about mortise locks on Wikipedia.

• Knob Locks: Knob locks are generally made from high-quality stainless steel and other types of metals. They are the most common type of door lock alongside lever locks. They are commonly installed in residential homes on exterior doors in addition to deadbolts. Although they are common kinds of locks, they are not recommended as a home’s first line of defense. Knob locks and lever locks are not recommended to be used alone without also being used with at least a deadbolt lock.

• Cam Locks: Cam locks are usually made from chrome finish die-cast zinc alloy and other metals. They are a robust, cylindrical locking mechanism used in many industrial applications. They are especially popular for use with locking drawers, cabinets, desks, mailboxes, and lockers.

• Padlocks: The shackle of most padlocks is made from hardened steel, while costlier padlocks may have boron alloy steels to make them more difficult to cut. Many high end padlocks are also protected with metal covers over the shackles that protect them from bolt cutters. They are also one of the most common types of locks used in residential and commercial settings. Some are designed to withstand extreme elements while others are made for indoor use only.

Top 5 Tips for Choosing Locks for your Rental Property

Now that you understand the different door locks, here are tips on things you should consider when looking to buy a lock for your rental property.

Tip #1: Consider the price

As already mentioned, locks come in different styles and levels of security. So, naturally, some will cost more than others. Typically, those that cost less tend to also offer the lowest level of security and vice versa. Your best bet to getting the right lock for your rental property is to consider asking your local locksmith or thinking about the security level of the neighborhood the house is in. Is the neighborhood safe or is there a lot of crime? Locksmiths understand how the different locks operate and can therefore help you choose the right one for your investment property’s needs.

Tip #2: Conduct proper research

Once you have a few recommendations, go online and read some reviews. This will help you get some insights on the performance of a lock from people that have actually used them. We strongly recommend that purchasers read reviews from multiple different and reputable sites before settling on the lock that best suits their individual requirements.

Tip #3: Choose a lock that can be easily rekeyed

Now, this is important. As a landlord, you’ll definitely find yourself in a position that requires you to rekey locks often. For example, it could be that a tenant has lost their keys and needs different ones made, or for many other reasons. It could also be necessary to do so before a new tenant moves in. In such scenarios, having locks that can be easily rekeyed will make your life as a landlord much easier. Kwikset Smartkey locks are ideal in such situations. In addition, they are not only cost-effective, but they are also pick and bump resistant. These types of locks however typically don’t provide the highest level of security as some other locks might that use multiple security pins and sidebars opposed to reset-able wafers.

Tip #4: Consider the aesthetics of the locks

As a landlord, you also want to consider the physical appearance of the locks. To stand out of the competition, it’s important to make your investment property as appealing as possible. So, when choosing a lock, make sure to pick one that matches your rental home’s finish, color, and/or style. Nevertheless, while aesthetics are certainly important, pay attention not to prioritize them over other fundamental factors.

Tip #5: Consider the endurance of the locks

You will also want to consider the endurance of a lock before buying it. Generally, the grade of a particular lock is directly proportional to how the lock endures under pressure. 

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) rating system was developed by the Builder’s Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). This system of grading locks ranges from 1 (top grade) to 3 (the lowest grade). When grading, the ANSI looks at various factors, including the latch length, toughness, and longevity of the lock. Read more on Doorware.com

Grade one locks are commonly referred to as “heavy-duty” locks. They are the most expensive and offer the greatest security level. They are tested to withstand a million closing/opening cycles and a dozen strikes of 75 pounds of force.

Grade two locks are designed for use in access points that have low or medium amounts of traffic.

Grade three locks are the lowest strength locks. That said, they are by no means inferior. As a matter of fact, they are usually but not always of higher quality than ordinary non-ANSI locks.  

Read more about the grade levels.

Choosing the right lock for your rental property’s needs can be daunting. Luckily for you, these 5 tips will help ease the decision-making process and should assist when it comes to choosing the right locks for your rental property. Just remember to hire a professional locksmith service whenever necessary. 

Learn more about Fort Collins property management or find Onsite Property Management Fort Collins on Google

About Us: Locksmith Services Longmont provides 24/7 locksmith services throughout Northern Colorado. All of our locksmiths are professionals who have years of experience and the tools required to successfully get the job done the first time. Visit our main contact page to learn about the areas we can assist with North CO locksmith services. Our mobile locksmiths throughout North Colorado can help with things like lockout services, lock rekeying, lock replacements, lock installations, lock repairs, lock removals, key changing services, door unlocking, and other lock and key requirements that our customers might be in need of.

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Rekeying Locks VS Replacing Locks — What's The Difference?

Many homeowners and businesses who are in search of a locksmith to replace their locks aren’t familiar with the correct terminology between rekeying a lock and replacing one. With this article, we hope to do our best to clear up any confusion on the matter. Before we can compare the pros and cons of each, lets first take a look at the definitions behind each term.

What Is Lock Rekeying?

Lock rekeying is, in essence, changing the keys that work with a specific lock to work with different keys, but all the while maintaining the same lock. Lock rekeying is often the ideal solution for homeowners and businesses who need to change their locks to work with different keys. While there is a multitude of different reasons one might need to consider having their locks rekeyed, generally it comes down security concerns or usability issues. A homeowner or business might be interested in having their locks rekeyed if their locks still function fine, but a copy of their key has ended up in the hands of people in which they do not trust.

Lock rekeying is typically the “better” option for homeowners or businesses who still have perfectly working hardware, have a working key, and need to have their locks work with a different set of operational keys. Rekeying a lock is cheaper than replacing a lock entirely as the hardware stays the same, in comparison to a lock replacement when the locking hardware is changed with “new locks”.

The process of rekeying a lock is typically straightforward, especially if the locksmith in question is an experienced professional. When a lock is rekeyed, it is “deconstructed”, or taken apart if you will, by professional locksmith tools in order to access the inner workings. Once inside the lock, the locksmith can interact with the pins, or tumblers, and change them to match a different set of operational keys. Many homeowners have their locks rekeyed because they have multiple sets of keys for different doors and want to consolidate all of their door locks into one singular key.

While rekeying a lock might seem like it’s too good to be true, that’s because sometimes it can be. If a lock is no longer working correctly or malfunctioning in the process of locking or unlocking, it might be time to replace the lock entirely. Rekeying a lock will not fix it, rekeying implies that the lock is already functioning correctly and simply needs to be switched over to different keys. Read more on our other blog posts Differences Between a Lock Change and a Rekey.

What Is Lock Replacement?

Lock replacement is different from lock rekeying because instead of just replacing the internal pins or tumblers inside to work with different keys, the entire lock is replaced. This means that all of the metal is swapped out with new pieces. Many homeowners and businesses will need to replace their locks if the locks in question are beyond repair, or if it’s unable to be rekeyed for whatever extraneous circumstances may exist.

Generally lock rekeying is the more affordable option for those who are on a tight budget, but the trade-off for those with older locks can sometimes be worth it. Many times individuals or businesses will call a professional locksmith service to assist with a lock rekey, only to find that the small increase in price for a replacement is worth the investment, especially if the locksmith is already on site. Professional locksmiths will have a stock of spare locks that can be used for brand new lock replacements. It’s impossible to provide an exact estimate for the lifetime of the average American deadbolt or doorknob lock, but if we had to guess, we would estimate the average American lock has a lifespan of 7 - 15 years.

Many times businesses and homeowners will opt to have their locks changed so their property conforms to the same standard of look, which can certainly provide a nice aesthetic touch to those who are looking. For example, someone with a gold deadbolt and a black doorknob might be interested in changing one or both of their locks to new ones in order to achieve a matching color scheme or style.

Performing a lock changing service is optimal for those who have multiple locks from different manufacturers, or lock brands. For example, if a homeowner wants to have their backdoor and front door be on the same key, but both doors have different brands of locks, it might be impossible to do so without a lock change. To put it in layman’s terms: sometimes a key won’t fit in a lock because the key and lock are different brands. This is because many lock brands use proprietary key-ways. A good and common example is the popular brands Kwikset and Schlage.

Often times customers will be required to change certain locks to match the majority brand of their home locks, in order to achieve one working key for all locks. Please note that rekeying and lock changing is different than lock installation, which is the act of drilling new holes into a door and “installing” new locks.

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Pros and Cons

There are certainly a few different pros and cons when it comes to comparing lock rekeying with lock replacing services, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.

• Cost - Typically rekeying an existing lock will be the more affordable option over replacing a lock. Rekeying keeps the same lock, while replacing is comparable to buying a new lock.

• Speed - Both services, when performed by a professional locksmith, should be extremely quick and easy. A professional locksmith will be able to rekey or replace a standard home or business mortise lock in 10-15 minutes, sometimes less, from the time they get started. More locks add more time obviously, but an experienced locksmith will be able to accomplish both tasks with speed and alacrity.

• Improving Security - Rekeying a lock won’t do anything to enhance security, except to lock someone out if they already have the working key. When a lock is replaced, it’s possible to choose a higher security lock to be installed, versus rekeying a lock which retains the same lock hardware and security, but only changes the keys that operate it. Many people are now choosing to install electronic deadbolts over mechanical ones. If opting for an electronic deadbolt, we recommend selecting one that has a keyhole for emergencies in the event of battery failure. Many individuals find themselves locked out of their electronic locks after their batteries have died.

• Customization - Many homeowners enjoy customizing their home to the full extent of their abilities, and that includes the small things such as how locks look. While they might not seem important to many, chances are the typical person interacts with a doorknob or deadbolt at least once per day. When it comes to functionality and high living standards, investing in the right locks can often make a huge impact.

What’s The Best Choice?

There’s certainly no answer to this question as it all boils down to the circumstances, personal preference and individual opinion. Depending on the circumstances, one might opt to have their locks rekeyed while another would have them replaced. If a lock is functioning properly and new keys are needed to lock someone out or to have multiple locks on the same key, a lock rekeying service is probably the best bet. On the other hand, if a lock is no longer working as it should, there are multiple different brands, or new color is wanted, a lock changing service is probably the ideal option.

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About Us - Locksmith Services Longmont provides high quality and affordable locksmith services in the greater Longmont, Colorado area of Boulder County. We have a wide service range to cover the Northern Colorado vicinity. Our experienced mobile locksmiths have been background checked, are highly trained, and they all have years of experience handling a wide variety of different situations. If you’re in Longmont, Colorado or areas of Northern Colorado such as Denver, Greeley, Fort Collins, or Boulder, consider giving us a call. All of our mobile locksmiths can arrive typically in 30 minutes or less from the time we receive your call.

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8 Things To Try When Locked Out Of Your Home

Getting locked out of your home is never fun, especially for those who are on a tight schedule. As a locksmith company, we urge those who are locked out against breaking a home window in an attempt to regain entry. Window repair services can be costly, more so than simply hiring a locksmith service in the first place, if no other options are available. While being locked out of your home can be stressful, it’s a situation that can thankfully be fixed. Here we are going to go over 8 different things that homeowners can try themselves before calling on the services of a locksmith. These recommendations are great for those who have the keys locked inside accidentally.

Here are our 8 recommendations for regaining entry when locked out of your home:

1. Try Other Doors

   While some homeowners might only have one entry door, others are encouraged to try all their entry doors when locked out. This includes not only trying the door that the homeowner left out of, but also back doors, side doors, garage doors, and any other doors or sliding glass doors.

   Most individuals will ensure that all their doors are locked tightly before leaving, however, this step can sometimes be a good start while thinking about what future steps to take. It’s not common, but occasionally a homeowner that’s become locked out will be able to regain entry through a different door that wasn’t locked.

2. Dog Door

   For homeowners with doggy-doors, it could be a good idea to attempt regaining entry this way. While adult homeowners might not be able to easily crawl through a doggy-door without getting stuck, children can easily crawl through and unlock the door from the inside. This method only works when the doggy-door isn’t blocked by anything.

3. Try Windows

   A window that was left unlocked or open might be a good way to regain entry for those who are locked out of their home. It’s fairly simple to lift the windows mesh screen off if one is present, however, mesh screens do vary and some are harder to remove than others.

   Homeowners that find an unlocked window might be able to crawl through and get back inside their home. Typically all windows will be locked though, but this is still a good step to try.

4. Check Upstairs With A Ladder If Possible

   This step is good for those who have easy access to a spare ladder that’s lying around. In the event of experiencing a home lockout situation, trying second-floor windows and balcony and/or patio doors might be a wise idea. When homeowners are going out for a few hours, perhaps to simply run errands, they might neglect to lock their upstairs doors and/or windows because they expect to be home soon. If this is the case, consider trying upstairs windows and/or doors through the use of a ladder.

5. Look For Hidden Keys

   Homeowners who have hidden keys for a lockout situation might be in the perfect moment to take advantage of that fact. Many times individuals will hide spare keys in fake rocks, under door-mats, in potted plants, hanging lights, and in other locations; to prevent getting locked out.

6. Call For A Spare Key

   It’s common for some to allow good neighbors who are highly trusted to have a key copy for emergencies. If not a neighbor, perhaps a family member, relationship partner, cleaner, babysitter, etc… might have a spare key that can be used. If someone else has the working keys, it might be possible to use them to regain entry.

   This is a good method for those who aren’t in a rush to regain entry. If a spare key is in another state or hundreds of miles away, this option might not be the best, as a locksmith service could be cheaper when compared to gas prices, travel costs, and hotel fees. If a spare key is close, consider picking it up, but we recommend calling a locksmith service before booking a hotel.

7. Check Youtube & Try Yourself

   This isn’t the best method for most as it can take up a lot of time and the results might not be very precise. Improper methods of regaining entry can cause damage to both the door and the lock itself. While we recommend against attempting to regain entry without the correct tools and skills, it is something that can be considered by those who aren’t too worried about causing potential damage to their locks and/or door.

8. Call For A Locksmith Service

   If nothing has worked and all methods of regaining entry seem exhausted, then consider calling on the services of a local locksmith near you. A simple Google search for a locksmith near me will reveal all the local locksmiths in your area who can assist with home lockout services. A professional locksmith will offer upfront pricing and have prompt response times of less than an hour. Calling on a professional locksmith is typically the best for homeowners who are locked out of their home locks and have no other recourse for gaining entry.

Summary

When locked out of your home, there are a few things that can be tried before calling on the assistance of professional locksmiths. Consider checking doors that might have been left unlocked, double-checking windows & upstairs entryways if possible, and/or try to find a hidden or spare key that could be used. If nothing works, consider calling on the services of a professional locksmith in your area.

About Locksmith Services Longmont

Locksmith Services Longmont provides 24-hour locksmith services in northern Colorado for individuals and businesses who require expert lock and key solutions. We provide locksmiths in Longmont, CO, and the surrounding communities who can arrive in 30 minutes or less no matter the time of day or night. All of our locksmith technicians are highly skilled professionals who have years of experience, highly trained, fully equipped, and background checked. Locksmith Services Longmont should be your first choice for expert locksmith services in northern Colorado. Locksmith Services Longmont provides professional Longmont CO locksmiths in the surrounding cities of Longmont, such as Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver, Loveland, Estes Park, Boulder, and more.

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