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New front doors - do I buy a nightlatch and separate lock?

14 replies

sunshineHeat · 10/07/2018 19:20

Ok we are at the end of a long full build, I have no understanding of what type of lock I need to buy for the new fire proof timber front door. Is all I need a nightlatch ? Do I need to buy a lever lock too? The architect isn't replying to my emails and the builders are deferring to him, but I need to order it ASAP!! I'm pulling my hair out as the end of this build has been painful. Does anyone know? Is there a website I can buy everything I need from a safety perspective without paying Banham £800+VAT ?

OP posts:
whitemarble · 10/07/2018 20:39

When I had a new front door done I was recommended to have a lever mortise lock and a nightlatch, I was talking to a locksmith recently and he said that he could get into any nightlatch within 30seconds if the door wasn't also locked on the mortise Shock

My door supplier ordered everything from this website, here are the lever mortise locks:

www.doorhandlecompany.co.uk/insurance-rated-locks/

And here are the nightlatches:

www.doorhandlecompany.co.uk/nightlatches/ (there are a few and it's quite confusing, I think this is the one I got - www.doorhandlecompany.co.uk/era-1830-1930-auto-deadlocking-nightlatch-satin-chrome-l2416-21288/)

PigletJohn · 10/07/2018 22:40

If you are very rich, you can buy Banham.

You need a British Standard Burglar-resisting BS3621 lock on your main exit door (the one you go out of, so you can't supplement it with any internal bolts).

Most nightlatches aren't, but there are a few that are. They are bigger, stronger and more expensive than usual; the cylinder is armoured to resist attack; and the knob or handle can be deadlocked to prevent an intruder opening the door if they have broken glass or pushed a trained child in through a window or catflap. It is best not to have glass or a letterbox within a metre or two of a nightlatch knob.

I like the Union 4L67E (it is a Chubb design but the licence to use the trade name expired) but it is very expensive. It is immune to the common methods of attack.

Here are a few others. You'll want the 60mm backset version.
www.screwfix.com/search?search=bs+nightlatch

They may be cheaper from some specialist lock vendors.
www.safe.co.uk/Categories/nightlatches/1.html
If you buy from a local locksmith they may offer advice and fitting, at a cost.

Many people have a BS deadlock, and a nightlatch. they use the nightlatch for convenience, and usually forget or don't bother using the deadlock, except perhaps if they go on holiday. Ordinary nightlatches are not secure.

It is possible to get a nightlatch and a deadlock suited to the same key from one of the premium brands, such as Banham or Ingersoll London Line. This is very convenient as you only need to carry one key, but it is expensive, and if you ever lose a key you may have to change them all. I have my back doors and garage suited to one key, as they have the same brand of deadlock.

You can also get locks with a "Eurocylinder." They have certain weaknesses and very few are available to meet the BS.

PigletJohn · 10/07/2018 22:47

p.s.
the chrome ERA nightlatch in your link meets BS3621 so is suitable

PigletJohn · 10/07/2018 23:10

p.s.

if you still have the builders in, it is quite normal to have one lock fitted, and change it after they've gone (who knows what spare keys have been copied?)

a mortice lock is cheaper than a BS nightlatch, if you're doing that, and you might be able to re-use the removed lock on a shed, gate or garage door, or give it to a friend.

sunshineHeat · 11/07/2018 04:09

Thanks @PigletJohn. It's a front door of a flat, in a convention, so no letter box and no glass, there is a downstairs door and the the flat door. Honestly I'm just not sure what to buy, for the brand new front door.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 11/07/2018 10:45

I think I'd go for a BS nightlatch on each, which you will use most often. and a BS mortice deadlock as well, although I expect you will hardly ever use it. The mortice deadlock is cheaper to buy. The red-cased 5-lever Union deadlock comes out well on tests and is good value, widely sold. Easy to change if you lose a key or move.

Two locks are usually fitted one-third up from the bottom of the door, and one-third down from the top, this spreads the load of an attack. The nightlatch is often fitted as the higher one, because it puts it out of reach of small children who might otherwise open the door and wander into the street.

If the downstairs door opens onto the street, and is not shared, I think that's the one you need to take more care over, because if an intruder gets through that, he will be out of sight inside the building.

However, a shared entrance door is not secure because you can never be sure that other users will lock it, it might be left ajar when they go out for a fag or are expecting a parcel, or let the cat out.

When you are at home you don't need to keylock the nightlatch, so you can let yourself out by turning the inside knob, for example in an emergency, so this is the one you will use most often.

You might like to fit a viewer and a doorchain while you're about it. The type illustrated here is more heavweight than some.

A carpenter or locksmith usually fits door furniture more neatly than an amateur.

If you are still in doubt, look for a local accredited locksmith business who will be able to make a recommendation and show you the range, they are likely to charge more for fitting. The people who advertise as "24-hour emergency locksmiths" are sometimes unskilled and high-charging.

You home insurance company will have a leaflet or webpage called "Minimum Standards of Security" which I expect will specify BS locks and security of windows, have a read of that.

joeybarnett · 18/07/2018 11:30

I copyright on the side for extra dosh and as a result end up writing about a lot of boring things - front doors and security are one of them.

However, writing about such things has given me a tad of knowledge on home improvement things.

(An insiders peek)

These guys are suppose to be quite well known within the industry for high security doors.

Composite front doors in particular I think but I'm not sure about the locks? It will say more on their website!

endurancedoors.co.uk/

Have you heard of Secured By Design? Thats a a really good accreditation to look out for when it comes to locks - its a police initiative and I don't know about you but I'm definitely going to trust them lol

sunshineHeat · 23/07/2018 13:42

@PigletJohn silly question but if I don't want a door handle on my front door is a nightlatch and deadlock sufficient ? I bought a sashlock and because of the door architrave no handle will fit unless I get a 5 inch basket which then won't be BS standard or insurance approved.

OP posts:
howabout · 23/07/2018 14:47

Make sure it conforms to fire safety standards. The flat door should be openable from the inside without a key and within reach of children. (We have 3 DC who have all been able to unlock the door from the inside from the age of 2. They never did when small as the fear of the outside World overcomes the urge to escape the parents). Also not a great idea to have a nightlatch for day time trips to the bin etc as it is all too easy to nip out and lock yourself out.

The handle is part of the locking mechanism on ours (key entry from outside and pull handle up and twist knob internally) so not sure if it is possible to get a no-handle version.

sunshineHeat · 23/07/2018 17:57

Does anyone think this deadlock is ok?

www.safe.co.uk/products/era-261-fortress-british-standard-5-lever-mortice-deadlock-67mm.html?code=AL-L14766

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 23/07/2018 19:09

"@PigletJohn silly question but if I don't want a door handle on my front door is a nightlatch and deadlock sufficient ?"

yes

If your doorframe design prevents you having a sashlock (I wonder if you mean it has a deep rebate or a large stop?) then a lever handle will usually fi even if a knob won't.

Or you can get a separate mortice latch.

However I think a nightlatch is better than either, because a latch with a knob or handle can be opened from either side without a key, so the door is not locked (unless you operate another lock, in which case, what good is the latch?)

The ERA is a BS deadlock so is OK, though I think the Red-cased Union is better.

I'd like to understand why you're having trouble with your doorknob. There are 80mm/3" locks that give a bit more room than the more common 2 1/2"/67mm locks.

If you don't have a nightlatch, then your door will be unlocked at all times unless you have consciously put a key in it and locked it. Most people don't bother, which is why they sometimes look round and find an opportunist thief has quietly let himself in.

Any common nightlatch can be snibbed so it doesn't blow shut and lock itself while you are fetching the milk in.

sunshineHeat · 23/07/2018 19:26

Thanks @PigletJohn . The nightlatch has already been installed, so we are set there.

It was more of a question of adding more security but not being sure of the type. None of our neighbours in the building have handles of any sort on the exterior (or interior) of their front doors. Our doors have deep architraves due to being old. I want to match the neighbour but also I want to make sure I feel safe on my own here, thus wanting more than just a nightlatch.

Is this the deadlock you think is better www.safe.co.uk/products/union-2134e-british-standard-5-lever-mortice-deadlock-67mm.html ?

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 23/07/2018 22:58

yes, I prefer that.

The grey-cased Unions that you may also see are an older Chubb design, very substantial but more expensive and, to my surprise, did not come out so well on Which tests.

If your front door has both a BS deadlock, and a BS nightlatch, I think you have done enough. I have not been in other countries which commonly fit locks as good as the British Standard.

With one a third up from the bottom, and one a third down from the top, you have strength against both kick and shoulder attempts.

Dottierichardson · 23/07/2018 23:04

OP have the same as Piglet and changed after had builders in. Also have hinge bolts. And decent deadlocks on back doors, as these often targeted by burglars.

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