I had a customer call me last month, pretty shaken up. Someone had tried to break into her home in the University area while she was at work. Thankfully, they didn’t get in, but they’d done some damage to her front door trying. When I got there to assess the situation, I immediately saw the problem—or rather, the lack of one. No deadbolt. Just a standard doorknob lock.
The attempted burglar had tried to force the door, and that flimsy doorknob lock was the only thing standing between them and her home. It held, barely, but only because they gave up before succeeding. If they’d persisted another minute or two, they would’ve been inside.
This happens more than you’d think. A lot of Wilmington and Leland homes, especially older ones or rental properties, only have doorknob locks. Homeowners don’t realize how little protection these actually provide until it’s too late.
Why Doorknob Locks Aren’t Enough
Here’s the thing about doorknob locks: they’re convenient, sure. You can lock them from the inside with a simple turn, and they’re easy to use. But they’re also incredibly easy to defeat.
The latch mechanism on a doorknob lock only extends about half an inch into the door frame. That’s it. A decent kick or a pry bar can pop that latch right out of the strike plate. I’ve seen it happen during legitimate lockouts—sometimes we can open a doorknob lock in seconds without even picking it.
Then there’s the fact that many doorknob locks have the lock cylinder built right into the handle mechanism. If someone breaks off the exterior handle (which isn’t that hard), they can often manipulate the lock mechanism directly.
Doorknob locks were never designed to be your primary security. They’re supplementary at best. Think of them like a screen door—nice to have, keeps the bugs out, but you wouldn’t rely on it as your only barrier.
What Makes Deadbolts Different
A deadbolt is a completely different animal. Instead of a spring-loaded latch that can be pushed back, a deadbolt has a solid metal bolt that extends a full inch (or more) into the door frame. The only way to move that bolt is by turning the key or the interior thumb turn. You can’t push it, pry it, or shimmy it open.
The bolt itself is typically made of hardened steel. When it’s engaged, you’ve got a steel rod running from your door deep into the frame. To break through that, you’d need serious force—enough to actually break the door frame itself, which is a lot of noise and effort that most burglars aren’t willing to invest.
This is why insurance companies care about deadbolts. This is why building codes in many areas require them. They work.
Types of Deadbolts You’ll Encounter
Walk into any hardware store in Wilmington or Leland and you’ll see dozens of deadbolt options. Let me break down the main types so you know what you’re looking at.
Single Cylinder Deadbolts are the most common. They have a key cylinder on the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. Lock it from outside with your key, unlock it from inside with a simple turn. Easy, effective, and appropriate for most doors.
Double Cylinder Deadbolts require a key on both sides—outside and inside. You might wonder why anyone would want that hassle. The reason is doors with glass panels or windows nearby. If a burglar breaks the glass, they can’t just reach in and unlock a thumb turn because there isn’t one. They’d need the key, which you have.
A double-cylinder deadbolt requires a key to unlock the door from inside, which can complicate an emergency exit. Before choosing this hardware, ask a qualified professional or the local building official whether it is appropriate and permitted for your door and occupancy.
Keyless Deadbolts are growing in popularity, and I understand why. No fumbling for keys when your hands are full of groceries. They use keypads, fingerprint scanners, or even Bluetooth from your phone. The security is solid if you choose a quality brand, and you can change the access code anytime without rekeying anything.
The main consideration is batteries. These run on battery power, and you need to stay on top of changing them. Most will warn you when they’re getting low, but if you ignore those warnings, you might find yourself locked out.
Grading and Security Ratings
Not all deadbolts are created equal, and this is where you need to pay attention. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) test and grade locks.
Grade 1 is the highest security rating for residential locks. These are built tough—solid materials, stronger strike plates, better cylinder guards. They’re tested to withstand 10 strikes of 75 pounds of force and 250,000 cycles of operation. Brands like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and higher-end Schlage and Kwikset models hit this grade. They cost more—usually $100-200+ just for the hardware—but they’re worth it for exterior doors.
Grade 2 is mid-range security. They’ll handle 5 strikes of 75 pounds and 400,000 cycles. These are fine for most residential applications. Many standard Schlage and Kwikset deadbolts fall here. They’re the sweet spot for most Wilmington and Leland homeowners—good security at a reasonable price point, typically $40-80.
Grade 3 is basic security. Light residential use only. I generally don’t recommend these for exterior doors. Save them for interior doors if you need a lock on a bedroom or office.
Installation Matters as Much as the Lock
Here’s something people don’t think about: even the best deadbolt in the world won’t protect you if it’s installed incorrectly. I’ve seen Grade 1 deadbolts that were basically useless because of installation problems.
The strike plate—that’s the metal piece on the door frame that the bolt slides into—needs to be secured properly. A lot of times, builders or DIYers just use the short screws that come with the lock. Those barely grip the door frame. You need 3-inch screws that go all the way through the frame into the wall stud behind it.
Without those long screws, a strong kick can rip the strike plate right out of the frame, deadbolt and all. The door pops open even though the lock itself never failed.
The bolt needs to align perfectly with the strike plate. If it’s off by even a little bit, you’ll have trouble locking it smoothly. Over time, that misalignment causes wear and the lock gets harder to operate.
And the door itself matters. A solid core door or, even better, a steel door, is part of the security equation. If you’ve got a hollow core door (tap on it—does it sound hollow?), a deadbolt helps but the door itself is the weak point. Check basement doors as well as the main entrance.
What We Recommend for Wilmington and Leland Homes
Here are the main points to consider when choosing deadbolts:
For your main entry points—front door, back door, door from garage into house—go with Grade 1 or at minimum Grade 2 deadbolts. Schlage B60 series, Kwikset 980 series, or if you want top-tier, something like a Medeco or Mul-T-Lock. Single cylinder unless you have glass in or near the door, then consider double cylinder.
Make sure it’s installed with proper strike plate reinforcement. We use 3-inch screws as standard. Some situations call for reinforced strike plates with even more robust mounting.
If you’re thinking about smart locks, brands like August, Yale, and Schlage Encode have solid options. Just keep up with the batteries and firmware updates.
The Full Security Picture
Look, a deadbolt isn’t the only thing that matters. Windows need attention too—locks, security film, or window sensors. Lighting around entry points helps. A security system is great if you want that level of protection.
But if I had to pick the single most important upgrade for a home in Wilmington or Leland, it’s proper deadbolts on all exterior doors. It’s the foundation of home security.
Most burglars are looking for easy targets. They want to be in and out fast. A solid deadbolt makes your home a harder target, and often that’s enough to send them looking for an easier option down the street.
If you rent your home, discuss any proposed deadbolt installation with your landlord before changing the hardware. Ask about permission, installation and who will need access to the new keys.
Final Thought
You lock your car doors without thinking about it, even when it’s parked in your own driveway. Your home deserves at least that same level of attention. A quality deadbolt, properly installed, is a one-time investment that protects everything you own and everyone you love.
If you’re in Wilmington or Leland and not sure about your current door security, we’re happy to come take a look and give you an honest assessment. Sometimes you’re fine and just need a bit of reinforcement. Other times, we’ll spot issues you’d never notice until it’s too late. Either way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is properly secured.
For help comparing door lock and deadbolt options, review our residential locksmith services.