Split spindle on a UPVC door

techno79

AlexandLauren wrote: »

The only scenario i can think of is not to have a letter box in the door itself and instead have a letterbox on the wall

Too late :-( I've already have the door installed with a letter box in the middle of the door. Given the cost of the door, I'm going to have to work with what I have.

victor2

AlexandLauren wrote: »

Leaving a key on the inside normally means 'welcome' people from the outside cannot use their key to get in....whereas a thumb turn gives you full hook lock security but enables 'welcome' people to use their keys to come in

What are the concerns with a thumb lock on the inside? small children unlocking the front door? people smashing the door glass to unlock the door?

From https://www.thecrimepreventionwebsite.com in a section discussing thumb turns:

I suggest you discuss this matter with your insurers to ensure they are satisfied with your additional security measures, because insurers usually specify a 5-lever key operated lock or a BS 3621 lock, which, by definition, has key operation on both sides.

ic

I have a split spindle lock, we chose it as we live on a main road, and occasionally forget to lock the door when we come in - so it works as back up to prevent somebody taking advantage.

Be very careful never to close the door behind you with a key left in - as you won't be able to reopen the door from outside. Because of this I got the backdoor keyed alike with the front - so that if it happened but we did have a key in hand, we could get back in via the rear.

The only lock that can probably do as you ask is likely to be the Yale pin code lock. With that you can do away with keys and rely on codes or key fobs. However, I think it has to be built into the door.

wealdroam

techno79 wrote: »

Maybe it is better to list my concerns in case they are incorrectly placed:
1) I want to use the multi-point locking without a key while I'm still at home (probably using it just at night when I go to bed). I feel I'd want the full security of the door while I'm sleeping and not having it reliant on just the single little latch near the barrel lock.

2) I didn't want to keep the key in the lock on the inside as I feel it could be fished out via the letterbox with wire (or specialist thief's tool).

3) Changing to use a thumb lock feels like it would be "relatively" easy to turn via specialist thief's tool via the letterbox.

I have a composite door which has no glass panels nor is there any glass on the side of the door. Nearest glass is the window from the adjacent room.

As there is no nearby glass, how will any prospective burglar know if there is a thumb-turn on the inside?

They won't know which 'specialist thief's tool' to use.

techno79

I think what I thought was a simple lock type that existed, is essentially a non-existent lock. I'll figure something out but wasn't keen on doing anything that would invalidate my home insurance. Thanks for all the help.

horrekepp

I am looking for exactly the same type of lock and no matter how much I explain it to people, they just don't understand what I am after.

@techno79, did you ever find out if such a lock existed?

techno79

horrekepp wrote: »

I am looking for exactly the same type of lock and no matter how much I explain it to people, they just don't understand what I am after.

@techno79, did you ever find out if such a lock existed?

Hey, I never did find such a lock and speaking to everyone, no such lock exists so I gave up looking. It seems strange that such a lock doesn't exist but I guess there must be technical reasons as to why. Good luck in your search if you're more successful than me, and please do report back if you do find something.