According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the 122.8 million households, 36% of them are rented. If you find you are in this pool of people or currently live in an apartment, chances are you may not be happy with the security of your apartment. Your apartment door is critical to keeping you safe, but most renters aren’t sure if they can improve their apartment door lock security.
Am I Able to Change My Apartment Door’s Lock?
Unfortunately for renters, it’s pertinent you first check in with your landlord or verify your lease agreement before you go and make changes to your locks. Landlords or management companies might allow you to change locking mechanisms, but most have a rule against it because they have a master key system in place. This method is in place so that they can easily access apartments for maintenance or emergencies. Additionally, some state and local mandates could prevent you from changing your locks. If you are unsure of the rules, a quick call to your landlord is always worth it.
Improving Your Apartment Door Lock Security
Before improving your apartment door lock, you need to know your type of lock. There are three main types of locks commonly used on apartment doors:
- Deadbolts
- Door knob lock
- Mortise lock
Deadbolts remain the most popular and reliable apartment door lock. The second most reliable lock you might find is a mortise lock, which consists of multiple parts that latch into a pocket. Lastly is the door knob lock, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Choosing the Best Lock for You
Installing the best locking mechanism on your apartment door might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s possible your landlord didn’t spend the money to equip your apartment with the best lock. Besides, your comfortability with your security is something only you can decide.
As it stands, the best lock you can put on your apartment door is a deadbolt. Deadbolts are especially handy because there aren’t springs or pins that potential intruders can pick. A deadbolt is made with a cylinder bolt that extends into the wall. The correct key is needed to unlock the mechanism that retracts the bolt. Despite the deadbolt being the best lock, there are several different types of deadbolts to consider:
- Single-cylinder: The standard, typical deadbolt.
- Double-cylinder: The standard, typical deadbolt with two bolts on both sides of the door.
- One-sided cylinder (exterior trim): Specifically used on doors that can’t be opened from the outside, like those found on the rear side of businesses or restaurants.
- One-sided cylinder (no trim): Identical to the previous deadbolt type, except the deadbolt is invisible from the exterior.
Furthermore, deadbolts come in varying stages of grading, ranging from one to three—the higher the grading, the lower the security.
So, which one is the right deadbolt for you? This is a question best answered by a professional locksmith and you. A professional locksmith can give you their professional opinion and suggestions, but it ultimately comes down to how much you want to spend and what you feel would work best in your neighborhood.
Reinforce Your Apartment Door
If you are comfortable with your locking mechanism but looking for other ways to raise security, consider reinforcing your apartment door. A strong, reliable locking mechanism is nothing on a flimsy, damaged door. If you can’t or don’t want to replace your entire door, there are some steps you can take to improve its robustness.
- Replacing screws
- Reinforcing door jambs
- Adding a security screen
Maintaining Lock and Door Security
Most apartments have been around for a long time, which might mean the security equipment is outdated or damaged. Consider talking to your landlord about options to improve security. If the responsibility is on you, ensure you are doing what you can to improve the safety and maintain the integrity of the lock and door.
Find a Locksmith
Lastly, it’s crucial you find a locksmith you trust. Place your trust in ASAP Locksmith in Tallahassee. We have provided quality locksmithing services to residents, business owners, and drivers for many years. Are you looking to update locks, install new ones, or look at different security systems? ASAP Locksmith in Tallahassee has you covered! Contact us on our website today for assistance.