Glass doors and locks (...in the kitchen!)

13 years ago

This is very OT, but since I can't figure out whether it really fits in any of the GW forums and it's *in* our kitchen....thought I'd try here!

In our current kitchen, we have a glass door that's more than put its time in (may be the original door, based on blueprint notes!) We were lucky to find one exactly the right size in a similar style at a local salvage yard, so we're replacing it, and also the hardware. When we first moved in, our neighborhood police officer drilled in the importance of putting in a double deadbolt (keyed from both sides) because of the glass door, which we did. However, as we get ready to buy the new hardware, I'm wondering if this is overkill.

Reasons to get it are, mainly, that we live in a transitional neighborhood that does have property crime issues, and periodic break-ins. Having the double deadbolt is supposed to make it more difficult for someone to actually get in once they've smashed the glass. However, it's worth noting that we have two 4' high double-hung windows next to our door at easy climbing level, and the one time there was a break-in (when the PO lived here), that's how the guy got in.

Reasons not to get another double cylinder lock are that it's a pain in the neck---frequently it doesn't get locked b/c no one can find the key---and in theory it could be a safety hazard if you had to try to find the key in the middle of the night to get out (but again, two easy-to-climb-through windows are right there, so we're not too worried about this in reality). The double cylinder locks are also more expensive, especially since I have my heart set on a vintage-style lock set. We do have an alarm and a big dog, so there are other deterrents to would-be burglars.

I know the official pros/cons of doing this (emergency access concerns, crime prevention, etc. etc.) so I guess I'm just looking for more anecdotal thoughts---seems like I see a lot of glass doors (sliding, french or otherwise) in kitchens. What kind of lock setups do you all have? Are these mostly patio/backyard doors, or do any of you use them as primary doors?

If it matters, our door is the primary entry to and from the house for us and is in our back yard, so to get to it you would have to go through our gate and around to the back of the house. For better or worse, the door is also visible from many other homes (our property backs up to condos with balconies).

What do people think---is having a double cylinder lock wise/prudent, or is it unlikely to make much difference one way or another in preventing a burglary? Thanks!

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Comments (8)

beachpea3
13 years ago
We live in the country but were robbed twice - many years ago when silver had value. Both times the robbers smashed windows. We now have an alarm - (window, door and motion sensitive), two dogs and single deadbolt locks. The biggest deterrent IMHO is the alarm horn over the attic window that is prominently facing the driveway and visible to all who attempt to come in the most convenient door. From what you describe - with your door in the back yard and neighbors overlooking that side of the house...you should be okay. Our house is an antique and we would have had the same reaction as you are having with the age of the house and the antiquity of the door in regards to the locks. Good luck!
vpierce
13 years ago
We just put a glass back door in our kitchen and it has only a single deadbolt. The glass in the door is a large single pane, so I figured that if someone broke the glass to get in, being able to swing the door frame open wouldn't really be an issue. The one thing our architect suggested regarding theft prevention and a glass door was to not get a french door since it's much quieter to break a small pane and open the door by reaching through. We have had a double dead bolt on our all wood front door for about 25 years and just recently replaced it with a single deadbolt. It is so much more convenient! When we had the double deadbolt, we just left the key in the inside lock since we had small kids and I didn't want anyone to be trapped inside. So it really wasn't serving the purpose of a double dead bolt, anyway.
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dianalo
13 years ago
We will have the majority of the back of our house be glass. If someone wants to break in, they will. The pros will find a way and anyone desperate will also find a way.
The best deterrent is having modest cars in the driveway and not looking like Donald Trump lives there, lol. Seriously though, between the alarm and dogs, you should be just fine.
katyde
13 years ago
I'm for the double - Sorry. Peace of mind! That is what we have and I feel truly safe - even if someone breaks our glass they are not reaching through and opening the door. And I live in a very safe area.
junicb
13 years ago
We live in what was recently named the most "dangerous" city in the country (which is bunk, by the way, but that's another discussion). Our neighborhood did, however, have a lot of break-ins over the summer. Many of those were people just kicking in the back door (no glass - just breaking the door frame), so a double deadbolt wouldn't have made a difference.

We have an alarm with motion detectors and glass-break sensors. Maybe you could add a glass-break and an alarm sticker on the door and call it a day.
artemis78
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks all (and @junicb, yep, we made that list too... ;)

I think I'll continue to hunt for the vintage hardware, and if I find it, go with single cylinder...and if we have to get new hardware anyway, maybe consider sticking with the double. We will have a french door, though the new one has three long panes versus the current 9-lite door with little panes. No glass-break sensor on the alarm (was $$ when we were getting it installed) but we do have a motion sensor trained on the door (only on when the dog isn't home) and door and windows do have open sensors if they get moved.
lavender_lass
13 years ago
I like the idea of a big dog in the back yard! Never let them get to the back door...or the windows :)
artemis78
Original Author
13 years ago
Ha, if only our dog liked to be on his own in the backyard---he's a big wuss (shh, don't tell the robbers!) and gets anxious and cries if he has to stay outside by himself when we're inside. He practically had a meltdown earlier this week when we had to shut him in the garage for two days straight (only during the working hours, of course!), since it was pouring and the guys plastering the kitchen wanted to come and go through the front door since it chopped off a bunch of walking-around-house-in-rain time...having the dog underfoot complicated that plan, so out he went.

He also, more problematically, knows how to open our garden gate and has been known to come to the front door to ask to be let in if he thinks his whimpering at the backdoor is not being heard (read: is being ignored) so I would be a little nervous leaving him alone in case he took off completely to find us, too. Ah, well. Someday I will have a dog who likes to sleep in a dog house and will wait patiently for me outside the grocery store...but it's sure not this one! :)

Glass doors and locks (...in the kitchen!)

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beachpea3

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Glass doors and locks (...in the kitchen!)

Comments (8)

beachpea3

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