Walk into any hardware store and you'll find dozens of deadbolts at wildly different price points. Here's how to cut through the confusion and choose the right one for your home.
ANSI GRADES: WHAT THEY MEAN
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grades residential deadbolts on a scale of 1–3 based on physical security testing:
- Grade 1 — Highest residential security. Withstands 250,000 open/close cycles, 6 strikes at 75 ft-lbs of force. Use on all exterior doors.
- Grade 2 — Mid-range. 150,000 cycles, 4 strikes at 75 ft-lbs. Acceptable for some interior doors and secondary entrances.
- Grade 3 — Builder-grade. 100,000 cycles, 2 strikes at 75 ft-lbs. Commonly installed in new construction — generally not sufficient for serious security.
Always choose Grade 1 for all exterior doors. The price difference between Grade 3 and Grade 1 is typically $30–80. That's a trivial cost compared to what a break-in costs.
BOLT THROW LENGTH
The deadbolt's throw — how far the bolt extends into the door frame when locked — should be at least 1 inch. Shorter throws can be defeated with less force. Most Grade 1 deadbolts meet this standard automatically.
BRAND GUIDE
Schlage B60N — Our most recommended everyday Grade 1 deadbolt. Excellent security, widely available, and compatible with most door prep. A reliable choice for most Burnaby and Vancouver homes.
Kwikset 980 — SmartKey re-keying feature lets you rekey it yourself without removing it from the door. Grade 1. Popular with landlords.
Medeco — High-security with restricted keyways and hardened steel cylinder resistant to picking and drilling. For homeowners wanting maximum security.
Mul-T-Lock MT5+ — Another high-security option with pick resistance and restricted keys. Excellent for front doors in high-crime areas or for extra peace of mind.
ABLOY Protec2 — Disc detainer mechanism with no springs to pick. Extremely high security. Used in commercial applications but available for residential.
SINGLE vs DOUBLE CYLINDER
A single-cylinder deadbolt uses a key outside and a thumb turn inside — the most common and convenient type. A double-cylinder requires a key from both sides — sometimes used near glass panels to prevent breaking glass and reaching the thumb turn. Note: double-cylinder creates a fire safety risk (you need a key to get out) and some fire codes restrict them. We generally do not recommend double-cylinder for BC residential use.
STRIKE PLATE: DON'T OVERLOOK IT
The strike plate is where the bolt engages the door frame. The standard included strike plate uses 3/4-inch screws that only catch the thin jamb veneer. Replace it immediately with a reinforced Grade 1 strike plate using 3-inch screws that penetrate the structural stud. This upgrade prevents kick-in better than any lock upgrade alone.