Locks on new front and back doors

[carew]

Just had new doors fitted, front and back, and both have thumb turn locks inside. I'm a little concerned about these as if someone breaks the door glass they can turn the lock and open the door especially the back door as this can be opened from the outside using the handle.

I notice that there is a grub screw at the bottom of the thumb turn. If I remove that will I uncover the slot into which I can use the provided keys to lock and unlock the door?

Or would I have to replace the entire lock and barrel?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Fit a external bolt lock top and bottom also.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-patio-door-...

[Chumley.mouse]

No different to them breaking the window glass and putting a hand in and opening the window ? Unless you go round locking all the downstairs windows with the little keys ? Then they will just climb in through the broken window.

[J6542]

You will need new barrels

[JoshSm]

carew said:

I notice that there is a grub screw at the bottom of the thumb turn. If I remove that will I uncover the slot into which I can use the provided keys to lock and unlock the door?

Or would I have to replace the entire lock and barrel?

The grub screw probably just holds the knob onto a stub shaft. If you want a lock on both sides you'll need to replace the whole unit.

[Huzzah]

Chumley.mouse said:

No different to them breaking the window glass and putting a hand in and opening the window ? Unless you go round locking all the downstairs windows with the little keys ? Then they will just climb in through the broken window.

This once they start smashing things to get in the games up.

[E-bmw]

carew said:

Just had new doors fitted, front and back, and both have thumb turn locks inside. I'm a little concerned about these as if someone breaks the door glass they can turn the lock and open the door especially the back door as this can be opened from the outside using the handle.

I notice that there is a grub screw at the bottom of the thumb turn. If I remove that will I uncover the slot into which I can use the provided keys to lock and unlock the door?

Or would I have to replace the entire lock and barrel?

I assume you have never tried to break a double glazed unit.

[lufbramatt]

Probably a good idea to keep one of them as a knob on the inside in case there’s a fire and you can’t find the keys.

[davek_964]

I'm sure I saw a video or something recently that suggested they don't generally need to smash anything - they open the letter box and have something that can reach in and turn the thumb turn.

Obviously only relevant to front doors.

[OutInTheShed]

If they are euro or oval cylinders they are simple to change.

Thumb turn obviously preferable for fire exit.
You can leave a key in the lock when you're at home, if your main concern is a break in when the house is empty.

[LooneyTunes]

An alternative, if you like having the thumbturn on the inside, is to replace the glazing with laminated glass (or, add a clear security film to the inside).

[megaphone]

As mentioned the thumb turns are there for easy exit if there is a fire, think about that before you change them.

Last thing you want to be doing is scrabbling around for a key as the house burns down around you.

[PM3]

^^ no way I would "lock" myself into a house at nigh. I changed to these in last house I moved to as soon as I noticed them .
Another issue with key in lock. My mothers place , meant my sister couldn't use her key to get in house in a small emergency as key in other side would not allow external key use

[OutInTheShed]

PM3 said:

^^ no way I would "lock" myself into a house at nigh. I changed to these in last house I moved to as soon as I noticed them .
Another issue with key in lock. My mothers place , meant my sister couldn't use her key to get in house in a small emergency as key in other side would not allow external key use

Our front door lock can be unlocked from outside, when it's locked from inside with a key left in it.

Fair point that some door locks are 'blocked' by a key on the other side.

Maybe you have to weigh up the odds of various break-in attempts against the risk of fire and not getting out.

Personally, I feel that a key on the inside when we're in is a reasonable compromise.

[carew]

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess the main issue is that I'm just not used to thumb turn locks as my previous doors were key to key.

I probably should have asked the supplier to fit key to key if that's what I preferred.

[Dave Hedgehog]

E-bmw said:

carew said:

Just had new doors fitted, front and back, and both have thumb turn locks inside. I'm a little concerned about these as if someone breaks the door glass they can turn the lock and open the door especially the back door as this can be opened from the outside using the handle.

I notice that there is a grub screw at the bottom of the thumb turn. If I remove that will I uncover the slot into which I can use the provided keys to lock and unlock the door?

Or would I have to replace the entire lock and barrel?

I assume you have never tried to break a double glazed unit.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-centre-punch-with-tension-adjuster-4mm/4338v