Deadbolt vs. Knob Lock: Which Is More Secure for Your Northwest Indiana Home?
When it comes to protecting your home in Gary, Hammond, or anywhere across Northwest Indiana, the type of lock on your door matters more than most people realize. Walk through any neighborhood in the region and you’ll see a mix of deadbolts and knob locks — but they’re not equally effective at keeping intruders out. Here’s what every homeowner should know before their next lock upgrade.
What’s the Difference Between a Deadbolt and a Knob Lock?
A knob lock is the standard door handle most of us grew up with. The locking mechanism lives inside the knob itself, and you turn the knob to open the door. They’re common, affordable, and easy to install — but that convenience comes at a cost to security.
A deadbolt, on the other hand, uses a solid steel bolt that extends deep into the door frame when locked. There’s no spring mechanism — the bolt only moves when you physically turn a key or thumb-turn. That rigidity is what makes deadbolts significantly harder to defeat.
Why Knob Locks Aren’t Enough on Their Own
Knob locks are fine for interior doors — bedrooms, bathrooms, office spaces. But as the primary lock on an exterior door, they have a real weakness: the locking cylinder is built into the knob, which sticks out from the door. This makes them vulnerable to a technique where the knob is struck or twisted with force, breaking the mechanism and allowing the door to swing open.
This isn’t a rare problem. It’s one of the most common ways burglars enter homes — and it can happen faster than most people imagine. If your front, back, or side door relies only on a knob lock, it’s worth upgrading.
What Makes a Deadbolt More Secure?
A properly installed deadbolt offers several advantages over a knob lock:
Longer bolt throw. A quality deadbolt extends at least one inch into the door frame. This makes it far harder to force the door open by kicking or prying.
No exposed mechanism. Unlike a knob lock, the deadbolt’s cylinder is flush with the door. There’s no protruding knob to grab or break.
Reinforced strike plate. When a deadbolt is paired with a heavy-duty strike plate secured with 3-inch screws that reach into the stud behind the door frame, the assembly becomes much more resistant to kick-in attacks — one of the most common break-in methods.
Single Cylinder vs. Double Cylinder Deadbolts
If you’re shopping for a deadbolt, you’ll run into two main varieties. A single cylinder deadbolt uses a key on the outside and a thumb-turn on the inside — the most common and practical choice for most doors.
A double cylinder deadbolt requires a key on both sides. This is sometimes used on doors with glass panels nearby, since a burglar can’t simply break the glass and reach in to turn a thumb-turn. The trade-off is that it creates a fire safety risk — in an emergency, you need a key to get out. Many locksmiths and fire safety experts caution against double cylinders for this reason unless you’re very deliberate about keeping a key accessible inside.
The Best Setup for NW Indiana Homes
For most homes in the Gary area and surrounding communities like Merrillville, Griffith, and Crown Point, the strongest practical setup is a deadbolt paired with a knob or lever handle below it. The deadbolt handles the security; the knob or lever handles convenience and a basic latch. Together, they give you both function and protection.
Look for deadbolts that are ANSI Grade 1 rated — that’s the highest residential security rating. Brands like Schlage, Kwikset, and Medeco all offer solid options at various price points.
Need Help Upgrading Your Locks?
Whether you need a new deadbolt installed, want to rekey your existing locks, or just want a professional opinion on your home’s security, Jacob’s Lock and Key is here to help. We serve Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Crown Point, Griffith, Dyer, Munster, Schererville, Hobart, Portage, and the surrounding Northwest Indiana area — 7 days a week, 7 AM to 11 PM. Call us at (219) 342-5595 and we’ll come to you.
Last updated: 07/10/2026