Front Door Lock With 'snib'

[bainbrig]

To help prevent burglars sticking a hook through the letterbox to open our newish front door, can you get a modern lock but with some sort of 'snib' device to stop the door being opened just by pulling down the handle?

Ta.

BB

[The Builder]

Bill, as you probably know, modern "Euro" locks operate by lifting the handle and turning the key.

Just take the key out, then, turning the handle will have no effect

[TonyV]

Both of my doors have 4 point locking system that go into the frame.

[nikksie]

Hi BB I I have replaced the Euro barrel on my front door with one with a locking knob on the inside so that we come in, shut the door and turn the knob which makes the door secure but easy to open from the inside if needed, these are easy to fit one Screw) and not expensive to buy. You just have to make sure you buy the right size as they are all different, I can help with this if needed as i'm a locksmith so would be happy to advise, hope that helps,

[Hopkirk]

I think you have misunderstood what you have heard.

The reason thieves push poles with hooks through letterboxes is usually to get the car keys that are often left on display.

[bainbrig]

Yes, but there’s been a couple of instances locally where people have been robbed this way - once when they were AT HOME!

And while we could, we don’t tend to lock the front door once we’re inside it.

Mrs B says what about a bolt - she’s found out how easy it is to open our door through the letterbox if you had an appropriately shaped tool (now, now, none of that).

[hc4361]

I suppose you could fit a Yale lock with a snib in addition to your existing lock.

[bainbrig]

Nikksie. Amazon.com User Recommendation
Is this what you’ve got (or similar)?

Bb

[The Builder]

Sorry Bill, but I still don't understand the problem :o(

Can you describe just what you have now?

Is it a uPVC door or a traditional timber door?
What is the locking procedure?

[nikksie]

Hi BB no that's not it it's a straight replacement for your existing lock barrel, so instead of using the key to lock the inside you just turn the knob, the advantage is that you are secure inside but the door can be easily opened from the inside

[bainbrig]

uPvc, but a cheap one.

Burglar comes to outside, pokes specially-shaped hook through letterbox, depresses door handle, door opens.

[bainbrig]

Nikksie. And from the outside?

[nikksie]

Coming in from the outside you use the key but only if the door is locked, you don't have to lock the door everytime if you are in and out as the handle will work as normal, it's just a convenient way of securing the door from the inside if your worried about intruders

[gingejbee]

An inexpensive letterbox cage would prevent any "through-the-letterbox" problems......plenty on Amazon.

[nikksie]

Gingejbee!! Great answer, wish I'd thought of that, quick simple and cheap solution

[bainbrig]

We tried a cage, but the ‘normal’ size ones wouldn’t accommodate our post, and the extra size one stopped the door opening (narrow hall).

Nikksie: you wouldn’t have a link or tradename for the lock you’re talking about, I suppose?

[nikksie]

I would fit Yale Thumb Turn Cylinder Lock, if you can't get Yale any good maker will do the job, I hope this solves your problem, please make sure you get the right size though, there are plenty of helpful videos on YouTube to show you how to measure it

[gingejbee]

^^I replaced my Euro cylinders with extra-secure anti-drill, anti-snap etc....easy job, but (as nikksie has said) you do have to be very careful about the measurements - check and check again!

[alavahalf]

As someone who has forced entry into more properties than I care to remember, when I was called upon to do this, I always asked ' is the door wooden or UPVC'.
When the answer came back as UPVC .. that made me smile. As a rule most UPVC doors are opened within a minute or two, even when locked. If they had a letter box in the mid rail, better still .. the easiest type of lock to open from outside, even if the door is locked, is one mentioned in an earlier post, it is known as a thumb turn lock. This type of lock is deemed to be always open and can be opened in seconds going through the letter box. (The thumbturn plate is classed as the key).
The vast majority of UPVC doors are easily opened with a pair of mole grips in a few seconds .. scary.
Regardless of how many locking points are on this type of door .. the number of locking points are only good when it comes to stop someone smashing the door in with a ram. They are only as good as the quality of the cylinder within the lock. I am afraid most UPVC doors come from the manufacturers with a very basic lock cylinder which is easily opened from outside. Why would they fit a thirty pound lock when they can fit a ten pound one ?

If you want to fit a good Euro lock that will make life very difficult for a burglar have a look at this ..
https://tinyurl.com/y3ga6aok

As The Builder said earlier .. when you come into your property. Lift the lever to engage the multipoint locking system .. turn the key and remove it. A bit labourious, but by far the safest method of securing the door.
Dont leave the key in the hallway.

Fit one of these, it shouldn't restrict the door opening or interfere with the mail and it will keep me out. I used to fit one for free after I was called out to a burglary.
https://tinyurl.com/y5yuj2gg

[bainbrig]

Thanks alava. (I take it you were in the locksmithing trade, rather than the opposite end)...

Ironmongery (the cowling supplier) say the one you recommend is only good for a timber door. We have a composite door (I wrongly described it as uPVC earlier). How secure has the cowl got to be - I take it that if it was only loosely attached it could be bashed off.

Thanks for your help.

BB

[bainbrig]

One (hopefully) final point, Alava. What does the 'star' system represent? The Yale you linked to is a '1 star' - is this an official security rating?