How to Choose the Right Deadbolt for Your Los Angeles Home

Walk into any hardware store in Los Angeles and you will find dozens of deadbolts at prices ranging from under twenty dollars to well over two hundred. The price difference is not just about brand recognition. Deadbolts are rated by the American National Standards Institute on a three-grade scale, where Grade 1 is the highest security rating and Grade 3 is the lowest. Most of the cheap options on the shelf are Grade 3, which can fail after as few as 250,000 cycles and offer minimal resistance to forced entry.

California's climate adds another variable. Coastal areas like Santa Monica and Long Beach expose exterior hardware to salt air that accelerates corrosion on cheaper zinc and pot-metal locks. Inland areas like Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley deal with temperature swings that can cause door frames to expand and contract, misaligning a deadbolt that was not installed with proper adjustment clearance. Choosing a solid brass or stainless steel Grade 1 deadbolt and having it professionally installed addresses both problems.

Locksmith Luz recommends Schlage B60N or Kwikset 980 for budget-conscious Los Angeles homeowners who want a solid upgrade from a builder-grade lock. For higher-risk properties or those wanting maximum key control, Medeco and Mul-T-Lock high-security deadbolts are available through our service. We carry stock on our mobile units and can have you upgraded the same day you call.