Suggestions for front door locks?

ok, door chains CAN be 'kicked in, so to speak, if better security is a concern.. look at what the better hotels have, the solid bar type? AND LONGER screws

this IS a solid core door? if Hollow, you got problems drilling for additional dead bolts.. IE-you hit nothing

ASSUMING, you are in America, then building codes, or rather life safety limit your inside options.

the OUTSIDE, depending on the lock type, could be fixed with a simple cylinder change, and keep the existing handle assembly --Shiva--

Heh, well doors can be kicked in too. Probably most residential doors (and/or frames). But your point about a solid chain and long screws is well taken. I've seen many with piddling little screws that would be torn out with a minor nudge.

Yep, the door has some small glass panels but it's a pretty substantial door.

Yes, I am and you raise a good point. I'll need to check on the code requirements. Obviously, I don't want to prevent/delay egress in the event of an emergency. But I don't need my toddler wandering out of the front door and onto the street either.

Yeah although the outside part is already pretty weathered and a shiny new handle will look nice, especially if I sand and re-poly the door this summer as planned ;-)

[When I say "planned", I really mean ordered by SWMBO.]

never seen one, and not sure how it opens from the inside. but, #3 sounds like it may be a plan..

ok, 'trivial' security, is a small solid brass sliding bolt on the inside. about 5 feet or so off the floor IF SWMBO allows and likes it.. said bolt is half round, or a bit flatter and about 4+ inches long, and almost 1/2" wide, small knob at the one end to grasp..this will stop 'shorty' for a while.. Local hardware place has them.. Lowes, HD and the like. Stanley used to make one.

--Shiva--

I know the kind of thing. Yes, it would be cheap and simple. However, the frame has a hardwood molding which will likely make it tricky to fasten the little gizmo that the bolt slides into. At least, it may be hard to mount it in a way that looks neat and tidy.

Opens with a key -- exactly the same as opening it from the outside. In the UK, this is the lock preferred by most insurers.

These locks are *very* solid -- most residential doors and/or frames will submit to force long before the lock. They're supposedly pick-resistent although an experienced locksmith might laugh at that claim (I just don't know).

They're not very common in the US based on my observations. That might be a plus since I doubt many of local Bad Guys have encountered one. Of course, they'll likely find another means of entry by attacking the windows or garage.

I would think you are correct..

it appears that the "3K74" may operate from the inside like the one you have.

actually no-it surface mounts and has a 'receiver tang' that screws onto the door frame next to the door, and protruded above the frame sufficient to let the bolt hit. a slight 2 minutes with a chisel would 'flush fit' this piece, if necessary --Shiva--

An effective way to keep little kids from twisting a door knob is to buy those plastic knob covers that require you to squeeze them to grip the knob. By the time the little monster is old enough to work these, they should be old enough not to go wondering off.

You should also get the drawer and cabinet catches. these are usually available at hardware stores.

Ahhh, interesting. I haven't seen those. I don't think they'll solve the immediate problem -- front door has a handle versus a knob. But they might be useful elsewhere.

Yup, done that part.

However, the little guy is pretty smart and I suspect he'll have them figured out before long.

When I was about 2 years, my Dad who is not terribly handy, spent an entire weekend installing a child proof catch on the front gate. To his dismay, it took me about 2 minutes to open the thing. 50 years later, he's still pissed about it ;-)

Ok a lever handle vs. a knob. It may be possable to make it so the lever has to be pushed up rather than down. This will hold him off for a while if not the slide bolt is probably the ticket.

What brand of lock do you have?

ASSUMING, you are in America, then building codes, or rather

Life safety codes in America suggest rather than enforce codes on residentail HOMES, appartments and joined residances are a diffrant story.

Heh, that's a thought. I can certainly rotate the handle

180 degrees. It won't look great but it will work!

Baldwin.

that TOTALLY depends on your particular area.. in MY town, they eat you alive..

go 6 miles west, different county, and whats a building code? there are NONE.

--Shiva--

Actually I was thinking about a temporary modification that would prevent the inside lever from being pressed down rather than rotating the lever 180 degrees. Inside the case (careful here. I would have no problems with you taking the lock case out, but if you take it apart it is likely that you will play hell getting it back together) I think one of two things can be done. Either the cam can be reversed or a pin can be relocated to change the way the lever is turned to open the door.

In the alternative the spring that helps balance the lever can be removed and a knob can be put on the lock and the plastic thing installed.

I did remove the lock case okay. However, I wasn't able to get it apart easily and it was late at night so I just put it back. In fact, I hoping I might be able to remove the cam (or whatever) that opens the deadbolt when the inside handle is turned.

I might try that again when I have more time -- enough time to recover from any disasters ;-)

You will no doubt try this. I do not recommend you do as the inside of a Baldwin can be tricky and they are expensive to replace if you screw up, and it is easy to screw up.

If you do try, be sure you do it on a day that the lock shop is open and you can bring the whole mess to sort out. Be sure not to loose any parts.

OK you have been warned.