Storm door locks
You know that your storm door will protect you from wind, rain, and unwanted pests, but can it also keep you safe from intrusion attempts? With the right storm door locks, you can be sure that your Minneapolis-St. Paul home is well-protected against anything that comes your way—whether it’s on the forecast or not!
Here at Reliable Locksmith, we’ve put together a guide for choosing the right storm door locks for your Twin City home.
Non-keyed storm door latch
Many storm doors come with a very basic latch-locking system with a button-release handle. The purpose of the latch is moreso to prevent your door from being pulled off the frame with strong winds than to ward off potential intruders. After all, it is made of a fairly lightweight material such as plastic that won’t withstand much targeted force or tampering.
Basic latches can be upgraded with stronger materials to make them more resistant. The brand Larson, for instance, offers a zinc and steel version that can give you a sturdier storm door latch than what might have come with your storm door.
But if you’re looking for extra security, many homeowners opt to replace this basic latching system with something more heavy-duty such as a lever lock or deadbolt.
Storm door lever lock
A step up from the basic latching system on your storm door would be a locking handle set. Many of these models also use a latching system, but they include a cylindrical keyed lock to give you an added layer of security.
The lever function is a good alternative to a button-released storm door lock for accessibility considerations.
Storm door deadbolt
A basic deadbolt can give your storm door extra security with minimal hardware. A storm door deadbolt typically features a keyway on the exterior of the door and a thumb turn on the interior, and operates independently of the handle or lever.
These kinds of deadbolts are widely found and easy to install.
Mortise storm door locks with deadbolts
The highest level of security that you can get with your storm door would be a mortise lock with a deadbolt. Mortise locks are housed within the door, so these particular locks need to be slim enough to fit between the window and the edge of the storm door. They feature a lever or knob on both the interior and exterior of the door that locks and unlocks the deadbolt. Some models, like the Pella Storm Door Mortise Lock, offer two bolts for added security.
Mortise storm door locks are some of the most stylistic designs for locking mechanisms on the market, so they are a great choice for front doors.
Matching your storm door lock to your storm door
While there are many storm door locks on the market, you’ll need to be sure that the one you buy is compatible with your door.
On the one hand, not all locks are universally adaptable. Because of the different sizes of windows and thickness of the door itself, you need to make sure that the lock specifications match the dimensions of the storm door. For this reason, you may see that Pella door locks are only compatible with Pella doors, and so on.
On the other hand, you’ll want to make sure that the quality of the new lock is appropriate for use on your existing storm door. In other words, if you see signs of damage or weakening on your storm door, a high quality lock may not be able to protect you from weather damage or an intrusion attempt. In this case, it’s recommended that you replace the door and the lock at the same time.
Aesthetic considerations
While a good quality storm door lock will be made of durable hardware such as steel or zinc alloy, you have some creative freedom to choose the finish and design of the lever or knob and backplate (i.e. the visible parts of the lock). Here are a few considerations:
- Choice between a handle, knob or a lever. Most storm doors that come with a simple latch will be fitted with a pull handle. Doors with a lock will require some form of turning mechanism to move the latch bolt or deadbolt, and here you can choose between a knob and a lever. Levers are generally considered to be more user-friendly, especially when accessibility is a concern.
- Style of the lever. If you do choose a lever, there are many different styles you can choose from that will change the overall design theme. If the exterior of your home is modern, for example, you may opt for a sleek, straight lever. Or, if you’re looking for more flair, a french style or wave lever can add a more ornamental touch.
- Finishing look. Finally, there’s the color of the hardware, and you may be able to choose between aged bronze, brass, pewter, and other options.
How to install a storm door lock
If you have basic DIY experience installing locks, installing a storm door lock shouldn’t be too complex of a project for you. You’ll simply need to ensure that your dimensions are accurate so that the lock fits within the housing of your door. And you may need to hollow out a new hole in the door frame to align with the latch or deadbolt of the new lock.
That being said, if you’re not familiar with installing locks, or you’re worried about the specifics of a storm door, call us at Reliable Locksmith in Minneapolis-St. Paul. We’ll come to your home anywhere in Golden Valley, Bloomington, Westcott, Little Canada or wherever you are in the Twin City area to help you install the right storm door locks for your home!
Our Services
We provide a comprehensive range of locksmith services in Minneapolis. Serving Hennepin County, we can help you combat broken locks, install new locks, access homes and business premises when you’re locked out, and even provide replacement car keys on the spot.
We care for every one of our clients, and we’ll always do what we can to put you at ease. We’re a friendly team and enjoy our work – nothing makes us happier than solving your problems.
Plus, we provide cost-effective quality solutions. Our low prices will certainly be a pleasant surprise.