Need to purchase locksets for front entry door, rear double french patio doors, and all interior doors. Looking at possibly installing electronic key pads with deadbolts on both exterior entrances.
Trying to choose between Kwikset and Schlage. Your thoughts?
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
Could a building code update make your go-to materials obsolete?
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
I have used Schlage twice in the last 3 years or so with no problems. However, both installations were inside the structure with no exposure to the weather. Hope this helps.
Schlage without a doubt.
I would definitely agree that Schlage is a lot better than Kwikset.
Schlage over Kwikset anytime.
How do you pronounce Schlage?? I never figured that one out._______________________________________________________________
It ain't what you make, it's what you don't spend
sklawgee
OK.
How do they expect people to know this?
How about Frued?_______________________________________________________________
It ain't what you make, it's what you don't spend
Shhlage
MWGaines,
Baldwin. why accept inferior?
i don't know how many guys are on this forum,but i'm the only one that likes kwikset!
i would really like to know whats wrong with them.i have probably 80-100 sets out there on rentals and after they get 15-20 years old i have to throw them.buy new ones for 10.00
use schalge,be sure and hide a key outside. larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I like kwikset because I can rekey them myself. but I also can get in any lock with a screwdriver in under ten seconds.
i also rekey them myself,but i guess i don't see how to get to them with a screwdriver in 10 seconds.i know how break into them and destroy the lock in the meantime,but i think that method will work on any lockset. if you don't mind sharing the screwdriver tip email me,maybe i'm just ignorant about how bad they are?
if you rekey kwikset,have you ever tried to rekey a schlage? i always figured about the same deal only different tools and pins. larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I've rekeyed both Schlage and Kwickset. Not much difference. More pin choices with Schlage.TFB (Bill)
"use schalge,be sure and hide a key outside. larry"
I know thats right. I was sitting in the hot tub one night ,au natural, and I thought, "If my hand ever bumped the lock button on my way out to the tub, I'd be in for one embarrasing trip to the neighbors."
I hid a key inside the access panel the next day, I guess sometimes I think ahead.
To prevent being locked out of your house, install a passage handleset and a deadbolt. It's impossible to lock yourself out when you have to use a key to lock the door. That key will be outside with you, not inside without you.
Bryan"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."
Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio
"To prevent being locked out of your house, install a passage handleset and a deadbolt. It's impossible to lock yourself out when you have to use a key to lock the door. That key will be outside with you, not inside without you.
Bryan"
I should do that, I never lock the handle anyway. I figure if someone can get past the deadbolt, the handleset won't even slow them down.
There was a "Great Moments in Building" on that very event within the last few years -
I have four houses and they all have Schlage locks. Makes it a little hard getting in the house but i've never had a problem with them.
My locksmith recommends Schlage. Personally I prefer Weiser locks for ease of installation and longevity, but he can pick most Weisers in less than half a minute. Schlage takes him considerably longer.
May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord
If you want to spend some money, take a look at Medeco. They're pretty pricey but supposedly they're very hard to pick. I put them in my house a year or two ago, and I'm very impressed with their heft and sturdy construction.
I like Schlage, I have one on my basement door, but the rest of the exterior is Baldwin. All interior sets are el cheapos from eBay but they actually are really nice handlesets. I couldn't see spending $40 or more each for 20+ doors on satin nickel egg-shaped knobs from Baldwin or Schlage.
Schlage with a gun to my head.
But for maybe the second time ever, I'm going to agree with Frenchy......your house, do Baldwin.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Another vote for Baldwin.
I have Baldwin exteriors on my house and really don't like them that much. They have trim rings that screw on on the inside that periodically come loose. A few days ago one of the knobs was coming off because a set screw had come loose. Then yesterday wife tells me that the front door one isn't working correctly - it's a pitcher handle set. Haven't messed with that yet. I remember having to futz around with that one quite a bit when I installed it new. Although not constant, this has been an ongoing thing for the 7 years we have been in this house. I can honestly say that I have built homes for HOs who would be unequipped to deal with this kind of thing. Where would that leave them??? Calling a locksmith once a year because a doorknob is loose?
I've talked to several trim carps who install door hardware probably weekly. They agree. Baldwin is not the best, unless you are the British car type who loves to "Tinker". I hate that word :-) - I think it is typically used by people with no mechanical aptitude. :-)
I got the Baldwins because of the lifetime finish and because I wanted to great quality. There are better choices out there these days if you want a higher quality product. Emtec is one that comes to mind. Schlage didn't have a lifetime finish back then. They now do.
Hey Matt,Try a little loctite on the ring and set screw. I put a big box Baldwin on my house about 7 years ago, started acting hinky after 5 years. Something in the latch barrel assy broke. I called Baldwin to see about parts...two days later I had new guts for the handset and the deadbolt, FREE!Other than that, buy what looks good...I've got Kwikset passage levers, and Schlage deadbolts...no problems with either...Weiser's are the worst to install, and after a few years, you get to do them again<G> Outside of the gates the trucks were unloadin',
The weather was hot, a-nearly 90 degrees.
The man standin' next to me, his head was exploding,
Well, I was prayin' the pieces wouldn't fall on me.
OK - maybe I'll go with a little of the blue locktight. I thought about that as I was typing the previous post, but what is gonna happen if I need to get them off? I guess the blue stuff should yeild...
I guess you install locks as a trim sub? Is that what you do on Baldwins you install for people?
BTW - I install Kuikset on some of the economy houses I build, but feel guilty for doing it...
kwikset are good locks, they are simple locks, perfect for apartments complex or rental house, because they can be rekey easy. they are just nit top dollar security. I have kwikset and I will alway buy kwikset. And i know the downfall
Were it a "big-box Baldwin"?
I've had Baldwin in my home for better than 13 yrs. Aint had to tinker yet.
No complaints from any of the homes I've installed them in either.
Democrats.The other white meat.
NO - they came from a contractor supply place that I deal with.
With 20+ years as a professional locksmith I can state this. Every name brand has a grade 3 lockset (residential), grade 2 (light commercial), and some also grade 1(heavy duty commercial). If you use a high end Kwikset (grade 2), it is generally as good as a grade 3 Schlage. If you want durability, Schlage "A" series knobs cannot be beat. However, there are not any "fancy" trims to be had. Schlage "B400" or "B500 " series deadbolts are excellent. I used them in a steel mill and a cement plant. Good strong strike if installed correctly and machining tolerances make them difficult to pick. If you want SECURITY, get Medeco or maybe Assa. They do not make knobs or leversets. If you want fancy, look at Baldwin. However even in Baldwin there are light duty versions that are not as durable. I broke the bank and did Baldwin mortise locks on the exterior of my home. I skimped and used Baldwin residential grade on the inside. I am periodically readjusting those. I did install a Weiser Powerbolt deadbolt on my garage door. It has lasted 5 years with only battery replacement. I recently installed the new style Kwikset leversets,deadbolts,and a front door handleset (grade 2) for a customer and they seem to be a step up from their former versions. Unfortunately, money and the decision of what you are trying to accomplish make recommendations difficult.
Well, that should be the final word!!!! :-)
And thank your for information. (Sincerely).
My house when I bought it had fairly new Kwikset locks in the outside garage doors. They didn't last more than a couple years and it failed at the worst time like most things do. On my way to work, I checked the door to see if it was locked, and I was able to push it in as the latching tab had worn away. Schlage or Baldwin and forget about it.
Schlage without question. But I agree with the others, go for a Baldwin if it's the entrance, or better yet, Ball & Ball. Now you're movin' uptown!
If you look at the guts of a schlage Vs. a Quickset you will notice that the Qset has some plastic parts in it where the schlage is all metal.Schlage tolerances and craftsmanship is a little better, they operate smoothly.Qsets eventually bind and stick.
Avg.cycles before failure
200,000 Quickset
400,000 Schlage
800,000 Baldwin
Stay away from the bigbox Kwiksets. I pick locks as a hobby and those are trainers for building confidence, ;-)
I have never bypassed a Medeco.
I was already leaning towards Schlage and you guys have helped me feel better about that decision. I truly appreciate all the great feedback. However, no one has commented on the electronic keypads that I mentioned installing on the entrance doors. Have you not had enough experience with them to comment?
I've read that pads have been slow to catch on, but that the "industry" expects that to change. I have mechanical push-button lock deadbolts on my current house, workshop, and storage building. I love'em. New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
burbo is the pro - he'll have to advise. Use more than three or four numbers if you have the option.
I always feel safe with Medeco, Sargent or Baldwin. I do not know if Best locks are best, but they are pretty darn good.
Good luck
I installed one of the new Schlage pushbutton electronic handsets for a customer.
They are fostering their great nephews, 3 of them, and the boys were getting into their bedroom and messing with stuff. I put it on their bedroom door, and so far it has kept the boys out except for one time. The problem was, they had me program the lock with the combination of: 7777. I think the one boy just started pushing numbers, and happened to push 7 four times in a row.
It will only let you use four numbers for any combination. So, don't make it so easy.
Anyway, it seems like a good lock, and they have deadbolts available also.
My 2 cents.
Bryan"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."
Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio
Schlage lock is more resistant to lockpicking and bumping than many others in its price range. It is also reasonably priced and widely available.