Yeah, we have a locking handset on that door (we didn't necessarily specify it, it's what the builder did as "standard"). I feel better having it just for added safety. You don't have to use it if it's there, but you can't use it if it's not, so I don't see much reason not to put a locking set there. Ours matches the rest of our door pulls.

We have a steel exterior door going from our garage to inside and have a regular and dead bolt.

We have a man door in our garage and windows so if someone broke in that way they would have to get through the steel door and locks.

Also, If the door accidentally does not close or we forget to close it, the door to the house will be locked.

Darn! I knew it! I was trying to talk myself into feeling comfortable with a "normal" doorknob there. My issue is that there is no option for a keyed set with interior knobs I have chosen, so in order to put a locking door there, I will need to use a different knob. I suppose I will match it to the front door, but it is just "bugging" me since it is in our laundry room. I guess another option would be to add a deadbolt, but I'm pretty sure a door with a single bore has already been ordered for that entry... Maybe I can "disguise" it a bit if I use a similar knob and throw the same backplate on the keyed set (if the finish is a close enough match). Thank you guys for your input. Jaymie

We have a locking doorknob and a deadbolt and always throw the deadbolt at night. Garage doors are not secure. I would do a deadbolt, regular locking knobs are not very secure. The door installer can bore the hole for the deadbolt.

Also a really good idea Sue, I actually prefer that configuration. We had our back door kicked in last year (while we were at home) and I've been a little skittish every since. Although, that door had a deadbolt, we had a security system and three dogs and it didn't seems to make any difference, so lately I've been of the opinion that if they want to get in, they will.

I think I'll go out tonight and see if our doors have been delivered. Then I could verify the bore on the garage door and instruct them to add a hole if necessary. Thanks! jaymie

my house has a keyed lock on the door fromteh garage to teh house. we never lock it though, i figure that if soemone breaks in the garage they will be hidden long enough to get thru teh door lock anyway. plus, even if you have a steel door with 100 locks on it, all they have to do is kick thru the drywall!

most locations classify the door in the garage as an exterior entrance, so you may HAVE to use a keyed entry lockset. check with the inspector to see what he prefers before you make up your mind.

Yeah, get a deadbolt--gives you just as much security and you can surely get at least the finish to match . . .

"plus, even if you have a steel door with 100 locks on it, all they have to do is kick thru the drywall!"

That's a bummer!

I have cinderblock around my steel door... and yes, it has a secure lock.

"...if they want to get in, they will..."

There are the ones that want the easy way in to steal prescription drugs, purses, etc. They are looking for easy money, often to buy drugs, and generally are not looked to undertake anything too ambitious. Then there are the ones that really want in, and it's pretty much impossible to keep them out. But you need to make it as noisy as possible for them to get in. Hopefully you aren't home, but if you are it gives you a warning and time to call 911 and get the shotgun out.

Yeah. The ones who kicked in our door last year where definitely looking for easy money. They grabbed my purse and ran. Was still unsettling to think I needed to hide my purse when in my own house.

I guess I'm thinking of all the french doors on our house when I say they will find a way to get in. That seems pretty insecure since they just need a brick to get in, but... steel doors on the back of the house would ruin my view. ;-)

Deadbolt all the way. Here is another reason why...ever walk out the door without your keys only to have the door lock behind you. Unless you leave a key hidden outside, it is very easy to lock yourself out with door locks. It does not happen with the deadlock. We are renting while our house is being planned/built and the kids have locked the garage entry door 2 times only to have us walk out without keys and lock ourselves out. This should be reason enough besides the obvious safety reasons.

Another really good point ryno23. I'm sold that deadbolt is the way to go. Thanks! Jaymie

Deadbolt. Plus, if you have a security system, wouldn't you want to have it on that door too? What good would it do if it was never locked? Security on a garage door is a poor second choice because you never know if you will get delayed getting into the house in the "alarm off" countdown.

We will definitely have a security system which triggers on that door. I don't completely understand the point about the door not locking because I often arm our security system in the stay mode when I'm home and the doors may not be locked. That way, if someone opens the door, be is someone coming in or little ones heading out, I know it. I always have the doors set to "chime" for the exact same reason. However, a moot point now. I'm definitely on the deadbolt boat. Doors should be installed tomorrow and I'll talk to the trim carpenters about the second bore (if it's not already there). Thanks to everyone for all your input! Jaymie

If you do go with a dead bolt on the door to the garage, I believe it has to operate without a key from the inside. Otherwise it is a safety issue. Imagine running for the door inthe event of a fire, and not knowing where the key is!

Rusty

Oh, I know. Our current rental has double cylinder deadbolts on all the doors (which are an absolute pain to operate). I live in fear of a fire. I know I should have the landlord replace them since they stick but keep thinking we are almost out of here and don't want to be a nuisance. No excuse though...

Can a deadbolt be done on a interior metal garage door?

I want to add a lock but's it's a fire door that is metal can I still do it? Any suggestions or ideas?

Our last house had locking hardware with a keypad on the garage side for ease of getting in and out. We always kept it locked as an extra precaution, not just for extra security in addition to the garage door, but also to provide barrier in the case we forgot to close the garage door for the night when coming home late (happened more than I'd like to admit). The keypad allowed the door to always be locked, but we didn't have to worry about locking ourselves out if we didn't bring the key and it was slightly easier to unlock while holding onto our things.

I guess I would also judge your exposure to break-ins in your area. Where we live we have a greater likeliness of a burglary than the typical suburb so we have put as many impediments to getting into our house as possible. In some areas that may be overkill. But even then there is a definite advantage to being slightly more secure (and visibly so) than your neighbors.