Question 1

My door was just kicked in even though I had a deadbolt — how did that happen?

Accepted Answer

This is the most common question after a break-in with a deadbolt in place. The deadbolt itself almost certainly held — the door frame split around it. In most Brooklyn apartment buildings, the strike plate (the metal piece in the frame that the bolt extends into) is held by two short 3/4" screws that only penetrate the door stop, not the structural frame. One kick generates enough force to split that wood. Installing a heavy-duty strike plate with 3" screws — screws that reach into the door's structural framing — turns a one-kick entry into a serious forced-entry attempt.

Question 2

What is the difference between a single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolt?

Accepted Answer

Single-cylinder deadbolts use a key outside, thumb-turn inside — the standard for most apartments. Double-cylinder deadbolts require a key on both sides. Double-cylinder adds security against reach-through attacks on glass-panel doors (someone breaking a glass pane to turn the thumb-turn) but creates a fire safety risk. If you cannot find your key in an emergency, you cannot exit. NYC fire code has specific provisions about this. We advise double-cylinder only when there is a specific architectural reason and only when a key is kept near the door at all times.

Question 3

What ANSI grade deadbolt do you recommend for a Brooklyn apartment?

Accepted Answer

ANSI Grade 1 for all exterior doors — no exceptions. Most Brooklyn apartments come with Grade 2 or Grade 3 builder hardware installed to reduce construction costs. Upgrading to a Schlage B60N (Grade 1, around $60 in hardware) is the best security value you can buy. Grade 1 deadbolts withstand 250,000 operating cycles and significantly more force than Grade 2 or Grade 3. Pair it with a reinforced strike plate and 3" screws, and you have a combination that defeats most forced-entry attempts.

Question 4

Can a deadbolt be installed in a door that does not already have one?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We drill a new 2-1/8" bore hole and a 1" latch hole (standard backset is 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" — we measure first). On wooden doors, this is a 30–40 minute job. Steel doors and reinforced fire doors require carbide bits and more time. Pre-war Brooklyn apartment doors often have non-standard dimensions from decades of repairs — we account for this. We do not start drilling without measuring and confirming fit.

Question 5

How much does deadbolt installation cost in Brooklyn?

Accepted Answer

A complete deadbolt installation — hardware, labor, and a reinforced strike plate — runs $125–$250 for Schlage or Kwikset Grade 1. Medeco and Mul-T-Lock high-security deadbolts run $200–$400 installed. Adding door frame reinforcement (the steel wrapping system) adds $75–$150. We quote everything upfront. If you supply your own lock, labor only starts at $75.

Deadbolt Installation in Brooklyn, NY — Grade 1 Hardware & Frame Reinforcement

The Real Reason Doors Get Kicked In — It Is Not the Lock

ANSI Grade 1 vs Grade 2 vs Grade 3 — What You Need to Know

Deadbolt Installation FAQ — Brooklyn Door Security

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