Any Locksmiths? Front door lock.

[BennyC]

Hi,

Hopefully someone can help with this,

The front door to my house is a steel front & backed timber frame with a Euro Cylinder lock. The door can be opened from both the inside & outside unless it is either locked with the thumbturn (inside) or via a key (outside).

My lodgers do occasionally forget to lock the door behind them when they come in and this morning when I left for work the door had been unlocked all night. Now I don’t barricade myself in my own home but should a ‘chancer’ pass by and try the door I’d be a little more than annoyed if they can just walk in off the street.

Lifting the handle upwards engages a few hooks & bolts but unless the lock is turned pushing the handle down withdraws them.

Does anybody know what the suitable mechanism I require is called? I would like the door to function like a normal UPVC door in that without a key you cannot gain access from the outside, so should the door be pushed to and shut, it is secure.

Thanks,

BennyC

 

[bitslice]

Deadlatch

 

[malfunkshun]

Euro profile moritce cylinder night latch with dead bolt, should allow key operation of dead bolt one either side of the door, but the latch bolt (on the handle) will only open without a key from the inside.
If the door has any glass I would recommend getting rid of the snib on the inside and replacing with a euro cylinder that needs a key both ways.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

Euro profile moritce cylinder night latch with dead bolt, should allow key operation of dead bolt one either side of the door, but the latch bolt (on the handle) will only open without a key from the inside.
If the door has any glass I would recommend getting rid of the snib on the inside and replacing with a euro cylinder that needs a key both ways.

This might be obvious but why is this a preference?

I don't have a glass door, I'm just curious and probably ignorant.

 

[shoes]

Because someone with a glass cutter (read: brick) will be able to reach in and unlock the door. With a key required both sides then they will have to make good their entry through a window or totally **** up your door, both of which are likely to wake you and your lodgers.

 

[malfunkshun]

This might be obvious but why is this a preference?

I don't have a glass door, I'm just curious and probably ignorant.

The single cylinders (the ones with a snib on the inside so you can open the deadbolt without a key) are a particular issue if there is glass in the door since an intruder can break glass, reach in and unlock.


Yeah, what shoes said!

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

So I was correct with my initial I AM IGNORANT diagnosis. At least that's something.

Thank you chaps.

 

[tom_e]

Only problem with that is, if you need to get out in a hurry i.e fire and you can't find a key.

 

[BennyC]

Deadlatch

Is a lever/pad or split spindle required at all?

Only problem with that is, if you need to get out in a hurry i.e fire and you can't find a key.

I'll have to consider this!

Any idea of the cost of a locksmith to do such a job? (either fitting different handles and/or a split spindle) I'm fairly competent with DIY and will have a look this evening to see what I might require but if it's not going to be an unreasonable amount it might just be worth getting someone in to do it.