Deadlatch secure enough?
TLDR: would you consider a deadlatch enough security for an exterior door to your home?
More Details: We currently have deadbolts with pass through handles on all of our exterior doors. The main door we enter and exit with is our sunroom door, which has glass on the top half. It is in the backyard within a wooden fence. So not visible from the street or a neighbor’s home.
I would really like to replace the handle and lock on this door with a keypad lock. Unfortunately this door has a mortise deadbolt which can’t easily be switched to a regular deadbolt. From what I’ve seen, keypad mortise locks would cost more than the door. Currently the mortise deadbolt is below the handle (don’t know why, it was like that when we bought the home). I can’t install a deadbolt above the handle because of the glass…not enough door frame.
So, unless someone has another solution (that doesn’t involve replacing the door…can’t spend that money right now) I’m considering replacing the handle with a smart lock, but it would only be a deadlatch. Would you consider this secure enough for your family? I would likely still use the mortise deadbolt at night when going to bed, but specifically would be left unlocked to allow the keypad to control entry during the day.
Posted Dec 29, 2025, 6:41 PM UTC