Our Locksmiths in Melbourne often get budget-conscious customers who feel they need better front and back door security. People in apartment blocks or on streets with a high volume of passing foot traffic – may feel the need to have a little bit of extra security. Protecting yourself and your property from opportunistic thieves can be as simple as making it too difficult to force entry quickly. A deadbolt may be just the kind of simple security solution you’re looking for.

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What is a deadbolt?

A deadbolt, also referred to as a deadlock, can only be moved to an open position by rotating a key. A latch, on the other hand, can be retracted by applying force to the latch itself. A door with a deadbolt is more resistant to forced entry and a great solution for front and back doors.

Common Types of Deadbolts

  1. Single Cylinder Deadbolt

  • has a twisting knob on the inside of the door
  • a key is needed to open it from the outside
  • great for front door security – easy to open from inside the house
  • ensure the inner twisting knob can’t be reached through a window or by breaking a glass pane in the door

  1. Double-Cylinder Deadbolt

  • requires a key to open it from both the inside and the outside

Don’t Forget Your Backdoor

Melbourne residents can give our Collingwood-based Locksmiths a call – they can help you assess which deadbolts will suit your lifestyle. In the past, we have recommended using the Lockwood 001 Double Cylinder Deadlatch for backdoors. The double cylinder locking mechanism means that you need a key for both the inside and the outside, but it is very difficult to force the door open.

This may not be ideal for doors that you are using multiple times a day, but it would be suitable for doors used occasionally that need extra security. Needing a key to open the door from the inside, means that in an emergency – such as a fire – you would have to be sure the key was easily accessible. We recommend securing the key on a nail near the door – but ensure it can’t be reached through a window. A tip from Fire Safety experts is to secure the key lower to the ground because in the event of a fire the cleaner air is lower to the ground and you may have to crawl so make the key easy to reach.

Amalgamated Locksmiths Melbourne

If you’re concerned about any aspect of your home security – don’t hesitate to give us a call.  Our locksmiths are accredited, friendly and professional and offer free on-site quotations. We are happy to answer questions and help you decide on the best solution for your property and budget.