A double cylinder deadbolt is a deadbolt that you need a key to unlock from the inside instead of having a lever that you turn. DH and I are having a disagreement about putting this type of deadbolt on the doors of our new house. He wants to use a double cylinder, because we have windows right next to the doors, so someone could smash the window and reach in through the broken glass and turn a lever to let themselves in the house. With a double cylinder, they would need a key in order to open the door, so that could keep them from getting in the house. While I can see how that type of lock adds security, I'm worried about it being a fire hazard. Some people don't use them, because if there was a house fire, it could make it more difficult to exit your house. Not everyone can think clearly enough or have the time to use a key to unlock a door during a house fire. We talked about using a regular lever on the front door and the double cylinder on the back doors, which are next to more windows, but I'm still not 100% comfortable with the idea. Do you have a double cylinder lock on any doors in your home?
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Yes, we have them on two of our doors. One is the garage door to the outside (which we never use and has a lawn mower parked in front if anyways). And the other is the laundry room door (which we also never use). For the same reason as stated, it has the window right next to it and would be easy to break and unlock. As for emergency exit, I feel that the garage, back patio or front door is plenty and the laundry door would be unlikely to be used anyways. But we also keep the key near by in the laundry room (out of sight and reach from the outside).
But either way, locks and deadbolts are pretty worthless to keep people who really want to get in out anyways. A door can pretty much just as easily be kicked in (as was done to my front door in plain sight of the street) so I feel single or double cylinder... it's all false security anyways.
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@PurplePumps: The only door in our house that doesn't have a window next to it is the garage door. Even the front door has side lights (those skinny rectangular windows that are next to some front doors). So I feel like if we put double cylinder locks on all the doors with windows, we would only have the garage door to get through quickly in case of emergency. You're right though that someone who wants to get in bad enough will find a way. Sorry to hear about your front door getting kicked in! That's scary!
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No, we don't have any of these types of locks. I'd think it would really be a fire hazard. Plus, if someone's already breaking a window, can't they just climb in the window?
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Yes, we put one in our garage door. Although we just leave the key in the door so for security reasons its probably not offering much more protection. However, its much harder to turn so the kids can't do the lock. Unlike our front door which has a regular knob which they can turn and open.
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@ShootingStar: That's a good point! I think it would be better to use the regular lever style deadbolt and then invest in a security system.
@T.H.O.U.: My oldest son can turn our deadbolt lock at our current house. I just had to teach him never to go outside without me. He has tried before, but our house chimes when the front door opens, so I can tell when he's trying to get out.
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I agree that if someone wants to get in they will and the double deadbolt seems like a fire hazard. I'd be afraid that my children wouldn't be able to get out if they needed to in an emergency. My friends home was broken into in broad daylight and they simply axed down the front door.
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