Front door lock options

caoimhe_kelly

What is the best option for an additional lock (up high) for this front door? Would like to keep the turn/twist lock that's there already for fire safety reasons but need an additional lock higher up to stop the kids being able to escape when they like. Don't want to damage the door in any way if I was to add a lock higher up so hence looking for some recommendations here. Thank you

Lumen

need an additional lock higher up to stop the kids being able to escape when they like

They need to be able to escape. What happens if you're incapacitated by smoke and they can't get out?

Building Regs - Fire Safety - Dwelling Houses - TGD B

1.3.9.7 Final Exits

Any final exit door in a dwelling house or a door which gives direct access to a balcony as provided in 1.3.7 should be provided with simple fastenings (thumb latches or other readily openable mechanism) which can be operated from the escape side without the use of a key. 

Cushtie

What do you do in the instance where you have a special needs person (intellectual disability) in the house who often gets up night and tries to get out the door?

Edit: Genuinely interested In this as have the issue described above and have to keep all doors locked and keys safely away at night.

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119632316#Comment_119632316

In that case I'd probably look at maglocks that are automatically deactivated by a fire/smoke alarm relay.

Cushtie

Thanks, will look into that.

Just finished building house and unfortunately didn't think too much about this at the time so might not able to run cabling now.

Apologies to OP for hijacking your thread.

The Continental Op

I'd put a mortice dead bolt the sort that normally takes a splined key except with a knob on it like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/XFORT-Security-Polished-Additional-Protection/dp/B0BB85PLVN/

You have to wind the bolt in and out and it can't be opened from the outside.

caoimhe_kelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119632269#Comment_119632269

The additional high up lock which is out of reach of the kids (age 3 and 5) will only be used during the day. It's simply to stop them running outside to play at certain times. It will be left open/unlocked at all other times

Lumen

OK, well you'll probably only need this for a couple of years, so I'd just get a lightweight surface-mount bolt or catch as the screws will only make small holes which are easy to fill and paint when you later remove.

Funny story of my own stupidity: one of my side door door locks failed at the start of COVID, and I spent a year walking round the house as I didn't want to get anyone in to fix it during lockdown. Then I discovered that there was a surface-mount bolt pulled across the top of the door that I'd used when we went away for a weekend. FFS!

The Continental Op

I agree with the idea of a surface mounted bolt but didn't suggest it as the OP said they didn't want to damage the door in anyway and I read that to mean they wanted something that would look OK?

So with that in mind another option might be a more modern looking bolt or a solid brass one like one of these

caoimhe_kelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119632958#Comment_119632958

😀😀😃

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119633060#Comment_119633060

Thanks. I really like the look of these. I'm aware I'll have to put certain holes in the door to fix a lock but just want to make sure I don't damage any seals etc. What would the composition of the frame and door be? Also what fixings would be best to use for these surface mounting bolts in this situation?

The Continental Op

If thats a composite door then I'd be fairly loath to put anything on it? But if you need to then I'd choose the screws carefully as you will probably only be gripping into the outer plastic skin. That should be good enough but the screws you get with bolts are often useless and you need something with grip on it just under the bolt. I'd probably use something like this because I keep a few handy anyway, the point is they have a deep tread that goes all the way up to the head, probably need to predrill.

If its wood then just fire it on :-)

caoimhe_kelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119633270#Comment_119633270

How can i easily tell if it's a composite or wooden door? Excuse my ignorance here 🙈

The Continental Op

Looking a bit harder at your picture it could be real wood, but because you commented on seals I assumed it might be a composite door.

Just look at the top edge of the door from above if its wood you will see some joints if that doesn't tell you anything then take the door handle plate the covers the lock and you'll see wood or plastic.

caoimhe_kelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119637194#Comment_119637194

Looked at the top and there seems to be layer of tape or thin rubber seal across it so couldnt see any joints. I looked closely at the hinges and can see some wood around them so happy enough that's what it is. Just need to find a nice black lock now! Unfortunately the ones in the pic above don't seem to come in black on amazon. Will try elsewhere