A deadbolt lock is a type of lock that is commonly used for home security. It is designed to provide an extra layer of protection to your doors by extending a bolt into the door jamb, making it difficult for intruders to force the door open.
Why is it Called a Deadbolt?
A deadbolt lock is called a “deadbolt” because the locking mechanism does not have any springs that can be forced open. Instead, it uses a solid metal bolt that extends into the door jamb to secure the door.
When the deadbolt is engaged, the bolt cannot be moved back into the lock without rotating the lock cylinder or thumb-turn, which requires a key or manual action.
This provides an added level of security compared to other types of locks, such as spring latch locks, which can be easily forced open with a shim or other tool.
The term “dead” in “deadbolt” refers to the fact that the lock does not use any springs or other mechanisms that can be easily manipulated or bypassed, making it more resistant to tampering and break-ins.
Types of Deadbolts
Deadbolts come in various types, including single-cylinder deadbolts, double-cylinder deadbolts, and thumb-turn deadbolts.
What is a Single Cylinder Deadbolt?
A single cylinder deadbolt is a type of deadbolt lock that is commonly used for home security. It requires a key to lock and unlock the door from the outside, but can be locked and unlocked from the inside using a thumb-turn or knob. This allows you to easily exit the house in an emergency situation, such as a fire.
Single cylinder deadbolts are generally easier to install and use than double cylinder deadbolts, which require a key on both the inside and outside to operate. They are also less expensive than double cylinder deadbolts.
However, single cylinder deadbolts may be easier for intruders to break into if they can reach through a nearby window or use another tool to access the thumb-turn or knob on the inside of the door.
It’s important to choose the right type of deadbolt for your home security needs and to ensure that your locks are properly installed and maintained.
What is a Double Cylinder Deadbolt?
A double cylinder deadbolt is a type of deadbolt lock that requires a key to be used to lock and unlock the door from both the inside and outside.
Unlike a single-cylinder deadbolt, which uses a key on the outside and a thumb-turn on the inside, a double cylinder deadbolt uses a key on both sides of the lock.
This provides an added layer of security because it makes it more difficult for intruders to break in through a door with a double cylinder deadbolt, even if they manage to break a window or gain access to the inside of the house.
However, it also means that it can be more difficult to quickly exit the house in an emergency situation, such as a fire.
For this reason, some building codes require that double cylinder deadbolts only be used on doors with windows or in other situations where a burglar could easily reach through the door to unlock the lock from the inside.
What is Thumb-turn Deadbolt?
A thumb-turn deadbolt is a type of deadbolt lock that allows you to lock and unlock the door from the inside using a thumb-turn instead of a key.
Unlike a single-cylinder deadbolt, which requires a key on the outside and a thumb-turn on the inside, a thumb-turn deadbolt uses a thumb-turn on both the inside and outside of the lock.
This can be convenient if you want to be able to easily lock and unlock the door from both sides, or if you want to avoid the need for a key altogether.
However, it’s important to note that thumb-turn deadbolts may not provide as much security as other types of deadbolts, since an intruder could potentially gain access to the inside of the house by breaking a nearby window and reaching through to turn the thumb-turn.
For this reason, thumb-turn deadbolts are often used in combination with other types of locks, such as a keyed deadbolt or a security bar, to provide additional protection.
What Are The Parts of a Deadbolt Called?
The parts of a deadbolt lock can vary slightly depending on the specific type and brand of lock, but generally include:
- Lock cylinder: This is the part of the lock where the key is inserted and turned to lock and unlock the deadbolt.
- Bolt: The bolt is the part of the lock that extends into the door jamb to secure the door. It is typically made of metal and can be either a latch bolt or a deadbolt.
- Strike plate: This is the metal plate that is mounted to the door jamb and into which the bolt extends when the lock is engaged.
- Thumb-turn: This is a knob or lever on the inside of the door that is used to lock and unlock the deadbolt without the need for a key.
- Screws: Screws are used to secure the lock to the door and the strike plate to the door jamb.
- Faceplate: The faceplate is the metal plate that surrounds the lock cylinder and is visible on the edge of the door.
- Mounting plate: This is a metal plate that is used to attach the lock to the door.
- Backset: The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the lock cylinder or latch bolt.
These are some of the main parts of a deadbolt lock, although there may be additional components depending on the specific lock design.
Why is Deadbolt Hard to Turn?
There are several reasons why a deadbolt may be hard to turn. Here are a few possible causes:
- Misaligned strike plate: If the strike plate on the door jamb is misaligned with the deadbolt, it can create resistance when you try to turn the lock. This can happen if the strike plate is loose or has shifted over time. To fix this issue, you may need to adjust the strike plate or tighten any loose screws.
- Worn out lock cylinder: If the lock cylinder is old or worn out, it can cause the deadbolt to be difficult to turn. This can happen if the pins inside the lock cylinder become worn or stuck over time. In this case, you may need to replace the lock cylinder or the entire lock.
- Loose or worn out parts: If any parts of the deadbolt lock are loose or worn out, it can make it harder to turn the lock. This can happen if the screws holding the lock in place are loose, or if the thumb-turn or other parts are damaged or worn. Tightening any loose screws or replacing any damaged parts may help resolve this issue.
- Weather conditions: Extreme temperature changes or moisture in the air can cause the lock mechanism to contract or expand, making it harder to turn the lock. In this case, waiting for the weather to change or using a lubricant such as graphite or silicone spray may help.
If you are unable to diagnose and fix the issue yourself, it may be best to contact a professional locksmith to assess and repair the lock.