I replaced the knobs to the basement door last night with a privacy lock set. Previously, it had non-locking lever knobs, which my toddler son can easily open. I also bought a hook for the top of the door, but I think there’s a good chance my son can yank it out somehow.
I don’t quite like the idea of having to use the Kwikset emergency screwdriver key to open the door every time I want to go to the basement. So I thought about maybe a keyed Schlage lock, since I like how their keyed locks unlock when you open a door.
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Or maybe a pushbutton-style privacy lock, with its simpler “push the stiff pin” outside override?
I need to replace the door soon anyways, since there’s a sizable gap between door and door frame, leaving maybe just 1/32″ engagement between latch and strike. Even with the knob locked, a slight wiggle can allow the door to open. But that’s another project. Even with a new, properly sized door, I’m going to need a good locking method.
But then I came across Schlage’s keypad locks.
I was talking to the locksmith the other day, when he was installing new hardware to the front and back doors, and he said something I’ve heard before, that electronic locks are not quite at their best yet. He didn’t recommend them for exterior door use.
But how about for interior use? I could install something like the above Schlage keypad lock to the basement door, and I wouldn’t have to worry about needing a key or emergency unlock doohickey.
In looking at Schlages product pages, some of these locks are described as being ideal for exterior doors, others are described as being well suited for supply cabinets, offices, computer rooms, and I think in one place they even did say basement doors.
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Hmm, seems like a good idea.
Aside from costing 3-5X as much as a regular internal knob set, and the larger size, are there any downsides?
Schlage offers 2 versions, one which that automatically relocks itself 5 seconds after being opened, and a Flex-Lock style that can be switched between auto lock and unlocked modes. There are a few handle styles and color finishes.
I think the Flex-Lock might be best for my needs.
A keypad lock isn’t something I would have considered before, and I don’t recall what triggered the idea now, but it seems like the perfect way to secure the basement door from my gorilla-strengthed toddler, and without the inconvenience of having to keep track of regular keys or emergency override keys. We’ll still need to keep a key in the kitchen junk drawer, but with a keypad lock, basement access should be near effortless.
I might even buy something similar for my office/electronics workshop/photo room.
Price: ~$110
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If you’ve used something like this before, whether by Schlage or another brand, would you recommend them in general?
Ken
Be careful not to make it difficult for adults to enter basement for emergencies – fire, electrical, water. For example, suppose there is a fire, you wouldn’t want the firefighters to be delayed. Other than that consideration, I like the idea.
Stuart
I can leave a pin written by the door, or the key 5 feet up, or both.
Bruce
I’ve got three Grade 1 keypad locks in service. Typically 6 operations per hour on each door. They’ve help up fairly well. No issues after 3 years of service. Batteries are still original. Keep in mind that these are commercial locks, I believe my cost on them was more than $300 each.
If you only have a couple of users, use a regular lock, Grade 2 hardware is all you really need. If your kid is smart enough to pop a high mounted latch, he’s smart enough to shoulder surf your keypad.
David Meyer
Shoulder surf… nice. Something to keep in mind as my kids get older. They are always watching.
fred
I guess a potential downside that I can see is that the lock fails closed and you can not get into the basement easily if you need to in and emergency. There is also the issue of fumbling with the key code in the same situation. What about appearance and comparison to other locksets in the house?
When I moved in – I changed out all (I think we have over 30) the doors (some closet doors were those cheap veneer over honeycomb) to solid wood styles and/or louvered (on some closets) – but used the same lever style Baldwin hardware throughout the house.
One other possible solution is to add an un-keyed deadbolt that matches your other hardware. While your son might figure out that he needs to undertake 2 separate actions to get through the door – he may be old enough by the time he figures this out and has the dexterity to do it – that it poses less of a hazard.
Nathan
A deadbolt on the basement door… if you went to sell and I were viewing your house as a buyer, I think I’d be creeped out.
Hilton
Alternatively, just give him a hiding every time he disobeys you. Seemed to work in the old days. It’s also free.
Steve
That Schlage lock is what I just used in our basement. Not for the whole basement, just for one storage room that I didn’t want the kids (5 and almost 2) accessing without me. Seems to work just fine for what I’d call “casual security”. We have the same one at my office on the interior warehouse door. It’s held up fine for the 3 years I’ve been here, with 100+ uses every day. I’m not the one who changes the battery, so I can’t comment on that.
I also agree with fred’s thoughts: I’d hope that by the time the kids can defeat this lock, I’d be less nervous about them entering that room without me.
William
I have this keypad lock on my shed workshop and love it. http://www.lowes.com/pd_297295-350-909+L03___?productId=3126413&pl=1&Ntt=kwikset+smartcode
It makes it so easier to grab something without going inside to look for the keys. However, inside that may not be a problem. Even if the keypad dies I can still use the classic key to open the door.
I personally think there are better solutions than a BIG, expensive door knob. Why don’t you try something like this or similar?
http://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Helper-Door-Safety-Cover/dp/B000MF518O
It’s a whole lot cheaper. You could also mount a latch up higher. If you are concerned about getting locked in then you can use a removable pin. Then you can take it with you down to the basement. If your toddler is 5′ 2″ or can operate those child proof knobs the keyed locks are a good option.
Nathan
so most electronic home use locks I have looked into have a fail open routine – they even say as much in the instruction books. I disagree a bit with your locksmith only is so much as it related to electronic deadbolt locks. There are a few that are ANSI grade 2 and 3 just like their non electronic counterparts. As far as knobset locks most are still only grade 1 to begin with. Spend some significant money and you can get knobsets that are grade 3 but those tend to be industrial style.
However – I’d plant another bug in your ear. Do you plan to do any home automation? Quite a few now offer Zwave + control systems. I would highly consider one of those for no other reason that future home automation systems. In fact I’m probably going to buy a new deadbolt set myself for this very purpose.
Schlage and Kwikset both make one as does yale. depending on the controller set they tend to use either of them equally well. OH and a few of them – like the Kwikset also tell you if the door is open or closed – so it serves double duty. It’s a lock and a door sensor. saving you that extra expense if you’re starting off.
Bruce
You are backwards. on your grades.
Pete
If it were me id just use a slide bar gate latch or a fold over door latch at the top. I would hate having to use the keypad.
dll932
I’m a locksmith at a casino. We have one door with a keypad lock that cost $375, another that cost $119. Now, we have heavier use than you find in homes, but I replaced the cheaper one about 12 times in 3 years (lifetime warranty, so it’s free). The better one has been replaced ONCE (and I can fix the old one-I just needed one in a hurry). I’d say put in a privacy/bathroom function lockset-costs maybe $25 to $30.
john
Whats the name of your high end keypad locks, mine me asking. I work with simplex and trilogy. High traffic count on both types with long life.
dll932
Here I’ve used Trilogies but I’ve installed both them and Simplexes over the years. The Trilogy I referred to is the DL2700, but I also put in a mortise lock version, now that I think of it.
Brian
I have the Schlage keypad locks on my exterior door, and detached garage door.
I looked at some of the latest “wireless” options, But I wanted to be able to gain access without a phone or FOB on me.
18 months later, I love them. Best thing ever. I can give a code to someone doing work on my house and delete it later.
Whether you WANT to lock your basement is a different question, but if you decide that you do, I would definitely support an electronic lock over a key.
Blythe M
Just mount a slide latch up high on the trim, when it’s no longer needed patch the holes and paint the trim. If you’re getting a new door that trim is coming off anyway.
Stuart
But what if I want to work on something in the basement, and my son slips away from my wife?
Jon
Stuart, I have these Schlage deadbolts (not the deadbolt handle combo) on all 3 of my exterior doors and the door to my garage. I love them. They’ve been installed for 3 years now and haven’t needed new batteries yet. I also installed two for my mother-in-law when she saw how easy they were to use. They periodically go on sale, I’d recommend using the price tracker CamelCamelCamel to pick them up on Amazon when their on sale.
Bruce D.
We have a Schlage keypad like that on our garage to house door (so it’s not in the weather, but it is the primary perimeter security for the house).
Love it… it’s been very reliable. Couple of battery changes over the years.
I like the fact that the movement of the bolt is manual… the electronics just “unlock” it. Kwikset had a similar one with a powered bolt. I haven’t heard good things about them (if the door jambs or anything, it can’t feel it and do the right thing that a human can). Batteries also last a lot longer when they aren’t moving a large bolt.
It’s also great as the kids get older… let them have a door code and there isn’t a key to lose.
Alex S
I’m not sure why the locksmith would have said the electronic ones aren’t at their best or recommend them for exterior use. We have those exact same models on our exterior doors for a couple years now and have changed the battery once.
Well in advance of the battery going completely, the buttons flash and there’s a warning tone to replace it, but there’s more than enough time to do so, even if you put it off for a few days. If all else fails, the key option exists and if you’re concerned about remembering the codes, you can program whatever easy to remember sequence or pattern you wish.
When I first installed them, my wife rolled her eyes excessively, but she quickly came to appreciate the convenience.
dll932
The BETTER ones are fine and I’ve installed them for years, but that’s commercial grade stuff. There’s a reason they cost more.
MT_Noob
I cheaped out and went with kwickset electronic locks when I moved into my house 4 years ago. While overall they are ok. I would certainly do more comparison shopping before buying them again. For the most part I love the freedom of not having to carry my keys every time I leave the house. But I found on the entry level kwickset version that I often have to enter my code twice to make it work. Seems like one of the buttons is not reliable. And I often grumble to myself that I could have opened the door more quickly with an old school key instead of entering the code a couple times. I suspect the Schlage is a newer design and probably better quality. But be sure to test fully before throwing away the packaging in case you do need to return it if you are not exactly happy with it.
dll932
Kwikset Smartcode leversets are the ones we’ve gone through once every 4 months. If not for the lifetime warranty, I’d have tossed the first one out and never got another. On the other hand, we get a lot more use here than you would in a house. Still, I’m not impressed with them-they’re unserviceable unless the problem is just a broken latch. I can get parts for the more expensive ones. Also, I’m not fond of “U-change it” locks of any kind, since they have a tendency to get goofed up during changes and aren’t as secure as regular cylinders.
Mick
FYI… A lock with a key pad eventually will show wear and be very easy to see what digits are being pushed making it easy for someone to figure out the code. Get in the habit of changing codes depending on how often you use it. Keep the wear even over the pad over time. Locks keep honest people honest. Make it tough for the people that want your stuff. Those people suck!
Bruce D.
We have different codes for each person in the family… Winds up with a lot of worn buttons. Should drive the crook crazy 🙂
Mark
How about mounting a simple deadbolt 7 feet high?
Or, if you need it to auto-engage, well, this is a tool blog… Move or add another doorknob up out of reach? 🙂
Bruce D.
That’s what I grew up with… Took me years to stop reaching ‘up’ to open that door… By the time I could open it, I was safe to go down the steps.
Pat R
I was actually going to suggest this in the original post, but I was stuck on the “cheap” bit!
I’ve got one of these on my basement/workshop/disaster area for about three years, its worked out perfectly. The boys are 3 and 6, and it still keeps them honest. (hearing the keypad beep if they mess with it is a benefit as well…)
fred
I had to figure out strategies for making the stationary power tools in my shop safe. Wiring them up through outlets controlled by Bulldog switches that could be padlocked in the off position – was my solution.
firefly
“Electronic is not their best yet. ” hmm… That’s the kind of statement I would expect from a salesman rather than a locksmith. Consumer lock for the most part is only there to keep the good guy honest. Beside they are usually not the weakest link. I would be more concern about reinforcing my door and/or windows before concern about my electronic lock as far as forced entry.
Personally I have electronic lock through out the house, interior and exterior, without any problem going on for 5 years now.
As far as emergency entrance, having a keypad could be a concern if you don’t use it very often… You tend to forget your pin. I have forgotten the pin to one of the door before because I don’t use it often. Not a major concern for me since I have alternate entries. But it’s something to keep in mind.
dll932
I never said that. Lower end locks are easier to force because they tend to be made lighter, but I agree about reinforcing: The weak point of most entrances is the frame on the latch side. That can easily be fixed by installing a reinforced strike plate.
Dale
I’ve had a Schlage exterior lock for four years and I like it. Use it every day. Thinking about installing more.
It (or approximately any other lock) will not slow down firefighters for more than the few seconds it take to remove it with a fire ax.
Ditto for a criminal (or anyone else) who really wants to get into your house, basement, or shop.
I found myself locked out of my house a few decades ago in the pouring rain in the middle of the night with an infant in the car in the middle of nowhere. It took less than 10 seconds w/ a cinder block that happened to be handy (closer than the ax in my truck) to shear the lock off the door. It does not take much to shear a couple of #10 or #12 screws – even if they are hardened.
It will slow down kids and your grandparents.
crb
Have had the Schlage as an exterior lock for a number of years. The key pad numbers are rubbing off and the contacts are intermittent but otherwise I like it. We live in a cold climate so batteries have to be changed yearly (or pay up for industrial ones rated to -30 F).
Justin
They are a bit more expensive, but if you invest into Lowe’s Iris platform, you can get a smart-lock that can automatically lock itself, or notify you if it was left open or unlocked. If you have a lot of Iris devices, some of the rules you can create are really cool, and could definitely help keep on eye on things.
Anton
Why not add a dead bolt up above at say 60″ from the floor? Its a sub $20 solution.
Stuart
Because then I would need a key to enter or exit the basement.
ken
Another suggestion, and what I did for our kids, is to put spring loaded self closing hinges, a privacy knob and a child protection knob cover that you squeeze to open the door. The self closing hinges help keep the door shut and automate that function.
Derek
My kid is 2.5 and he already knows how to drag over a chair or stepstool to climb up to manipulate anything he wants to. So I wouldn’t spend too much money or effort in trying to actually keep him out. He will figure it out if only to prove that he can.
Teach him how to go down the stairs safely. Start out backwards. Maybe add a lower handrail that he can use. Teach him that stairs can be dangerous and he needs to be careful it will help out a lot in the long run.
If you really want to keep him out for a few more months you can try the doorknob covers or put a babygate right behind the door. Of course as soon as you leave the door open “to grab something really quick” he’ll dive through it head first.
Also if you have a metal door, you could put up a magnetic weatherstrip. Those take more effort to get the door open and should work until he is 3+. That is what my main happens to have and my boy can’t get it open. A floorsweep installed tightly might work as well.
Stuart
He’s learning how to go down stairs, but I won’t let him try the basement stairs until he masters the upper level stairs. He does great on carpet stairs, but ours doesn’t have a runner yet and he slipped twice now, with me there to catch him of course.
Right now, my interest is in protecting him from the staircase. I need more lighting there too.
My goal is to impede his access to the basement without impeding my own. Keypad lock seems to be the easiest way.
Scott Davis
I have a keypad lock like you pictured and a deadbolt lock of the same brand on 2 different doors. They have been installed for about 8 or 9 years now. I have replaced batteries a couple times in both locks. I have had only 1 issue where it would not open with the keypad. I had to disassemble and reposition a component on the inside, this happened twice in 1 month 6 years ago. No problems since then.
Zack
Keep in mind that such products for residential use are mostly made to give the home owner peace of mind without actually being secure. Such is the case with pad locks and other such consumer mechanisms. They’re able to keep out the lazy thieves but they by no means are secure. Most can be compromised with little else than what’s in your pocket. They’re designed to make one FEEL as though their items are secure. Despite whatever the packaging reads, they do not provide any security on their own.
Jon
We have this very product installed on the front door of the fire station I volunteer at. It has been there for four years now with no issues. Battery life is remarkably good, we changed the battery after two years just to be safe, but it still was not showing a low battery indication. I had expected much worse, being exposed to the very cold Vermont climate. The lock is supposed to warn you long before the battery fails, but the fail state is fail-closed. The manual tells you to use alkaline batteries so that it can detect the voltage drop long before it dies. For a lock that 20 people would otherwise need a key to, it’s a perfect solution.
It’s proven a really reliable and unobtrusive device for our application, but it seems like tremendous overkill to keep a toddler out of a basement. How about a $4 throw bolt latch at adult eye level?
farid
Stuart,
Congrats on your move. Looking forward to read more about your adventures in the new house.
Check this product out. It might be simpler than replacing a whole lock and it works from both sides of the door. However, if leaving the door completely shut at all times with no gaps is a concern, then it may not be for you.
http://www.kidsafeinc.com/safety-1st-high-door-child-lock/
I used a lock similar in concept to the first link below in my old house. Mine had a brass knob that slid to block the door from opening and can be latched in the locked position (I cannot seem to find it anymore). It was smaller and less obtrusive. We used it at night as well in case someone tried sneak in through the basement windows. But it only worked from one side.
http://www.kidsafeinc.com/door-flip-lock-for-child-safety/
This one below looks like an nice product for exterior doors.
http://www.kidsafeinc.com/the-door-guardian-childproofing-lock/
Even though I did install a gate upstairs and a lock on basement door, we did not have to worry about the stairs with our son since after all he was really good about not trying it by himself. Nevertheless, each child is different and that’s is not a chance worth risking. But, when it came to kitchen and bathroom cabinets, he figured out how to open those childproof locks in no time. So we switched to the hidden magnetic latch type and those worked. I made extra (more powerful) magnets by gluing neodymium magnet discs to small wooden knob blanks from the hobby store and kept them stored high up (e.g. on side of refrigerator). They worked great, especially on thicker cabinets doors.
They can also be used on some drawers and such to keep nosy guests from peeking into your stuff.
Mark
Just wanted to endorse the Door Guardian. They are great for two things — keeping children IN and keeping unwanted people OUT. Like a deadbolt on steroids – we have them on all of our exterior doors.
dll932
For the “numbers rubbed off” problem, there are higher end digital locks with LCD touch displays that swap locations of the numbers every time you use them. They aren’t cheap, though.
Eric
These are Amazon’s deal of the day today.