Do I need a deadbolt on my back door, or just the front?

You need a deadbolt on every exterior door, including the back door. Back and side doors are statistically a preferred entry point for burglars because they're less visible from the street. A knob lock on a back door can be defeated in seconds.

What ANSI grade deadbolt should I get for a Fort Collins home?

ANSI Grade 1 is the right choice for any exterior door. Grade 1 deadbolts are rated to 250 lbs of force and 10 strike cycles — Grade 2 (common in older Fort Collins homes from the 1970s–1990s) is rated to only 150 lbs. Schlage B60N and Kwikset 980 are reliable Grade 1 options available at local hardware stores.

How much does deadbolt installation cost in Fort Collins?

Deadbolt installation in Fort Collins typically runs $120–$200 per lock, including Grade 1 hardware. If you already own the lock, labor alone will be less — contact a local locksmith for an upfront quote before you buy hardware separately.

My deadbolt sticks every winter. Is that a lock problem or a door problem?

In most cases it's a door frame problem, not the lock itself. Fort Collins temperatures swing from -15°F to 95°F, causing wood frames to contract in winter and shift the strike plate alignment. The fix is usually a strike plate adjustment — a straightforward service call, not a full lock replacement.

Do sliding glass doors need a deadbolt?

Standard deadbolts don't fit sliding glass doors — the door design doesn't allow for a bolt throw into the frame. Instead, use a patio security bar laid in the track, a surface-mounted bolt lock, or a double-bolt patio lock rated for sliding doors. The factory latch on most sliding doors can be defeated by lifting the panel out of its track.

Does Colorado law require landlords to provide deadbolts?

Colorado's security deposit and habitability statutes (C.R.S. § 38-12-503) require rental units to be in a habitable condition, which courts have interpreted to include functional door locks. Fort Collins landlords in the CSU area commonly rekey between tenants each August — that satisfies the security requirement and protects against liability if a prior tenant kept a key.

Should I rekey or replace deadbolts when moving into a new Fort Collins home?

Rekeying is sufficient if the existing deadbolts are ANSI Grade 1 and in good condition. Rekeying costs $75–$120 per lock versus $120–$200 for full replacement. If the hardware is Grade 2 or older, replacement is worth the extra cost. A local locksmith can check the grade stamp on the lock face in under a minute.

What about the door from my garage into my house — does that need a deadbolt too?

Yes — the garage-to-home door is one of the most overlooked entry points. Garages are frequently left unlocked or accessed through automatic openers, making the interior door the last line of defense. That door should have a Grade 1 deadbolt just like your front door.

Should I have a deadbolt on every exterior door?

Q: Should I have a deadbolt on every exterior door?

Yes — every exterior door that can be closed and locked from outside should have a deadbolt, ideally ANSI Grade 1.

Does Every Exterior Door Need a Deadbolt?

Yes — every exterior door that can be approached and locked from outside should have a deadbolt. Knob locks and handle sets alone are insufficient. Their spring-loaded latch bolts can be slipped with a credit card in seconds. A deadbolt throws a solid steel bolt at least one inch into the door frame, making that attack nearly impossible.

According to FBI Uniform Crime Reports, forced entry through doors accounts for the majority of residential burglaries. A door with only a knob lock presents an easy target. An ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt significantly increases resistance to forced entry.

For details on which locks perform best in Fort Collins' climate, see What are the best deadbolts for a home in Fort Collins?

Which Doors Specifically Need One?

Any door an intruder could reach, close behind them, and attempt to lock or bypass needs a deadbolt — including doors most homeowners overlook.

Front door: Non-negotiable. This is the primary target for attempted entry.
Back door and side doors: Often the preferred entry point precisely because they're less visible from the street.
Garage entry door (into the house): Garages are frequently left unlocked. The door from the garage into the home is a common overlooked weak point.
Basement access doors: If the door leads outside or into an unattached space, treat it like an exterior door.
Rental unit doors: In the CSU area, where tenant turnover peaks in August and May, each unit door should have its own rekeyed deadbolt after every tenant change.

⚠️ Watch out: Sliding glass doors and French doors cannot accept a standard deadbolt cylinder. They require a patio door security bar, surface-mounted bolt, or double-bolt patio lock. The factory latch on most sliding doors can be lifted out of its track with minimal force.

What Grade of Deadbolt Do You Actually Need?

ANSI Grade 1 is the right choice for any exterior door on a Fort Collins home or business. Grade 1 deadbolts withstand 250 lbs of direct force and 10 strike cycles; Grade 2 handles only 150 lbs and 5 cycles. Many homes built in Fort Collins between the 1970s and 1990s—common in Midtown, Old Town, and the CSU neighborhood—shipped with Grade 2 hardware, making an upgrade worthwhile.

Reliable Grade 1 options available locally and online include the Schlage B60N, Kwikset 980, and Medeco Maxum for high-security applications. For a full breakdown, see What is a Grade 1 deadbolt?

💡 Tip: The strike plate matters as much as the deadbolt. A Grade 1 deadbolt paired with a flimsy two-screw strike plate is still a weak door. Specify a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws that reach the stud—not just the door jamb.

How Do Fort Collins Winters Affect Deadbolt Performance?

Colorado's Front Range temperature swings—from -15°F in winter to 95°F in summer—cause wood door frames to expand and contract significantly. When a frame contracts in cold weather, the bolt hole can shift just enough that the bolt drags or won't throw fully. Local locksmiths refer to this as "cold-bind," and it's one of the most common winter service calls in Old Town and Midtown where older wood frames predominate.

The fix is typically a strike plate adjustment or door realignment—not a new lock. Homes with newer fiberglass doors in neighborhoods like Harmony Corridor are less susceptible, but it's worth checking deadbolt throw in January if you haven't already.

Freeze-thaw cycles can also work moisture into keyways. Do not use WD-40—it attracts dirt and worsens the problem over time. Use dry graphite lubricant instead.

What Does It Cost to Add Deadbolts in Fort Collins?

Deadbolt installation in Fort Collins typically runs $120–$200 per lock, including Grade 1 hardware. Most homes need two to four exterior doors addressed. If you already own the hardware, labor costs are generally lower. Get a free quote for your specific situation before purchasing locks separately.

When moving into a home, rekeying existing deadbolts costs $75–$120 per lock—far cheaper than full replacement if the hardware is already Grade 1. A local Fort Collins locksmith can assess whether your existing locks are worth keeping or need replacement.

Quick Reference: Exterior Door Deadbolt Checklist

Front door — Grade 1 deadbolt required
Back and side doors — Grade 1 deadbolt required
Garage-to-home entry door — Grade 1 deadbolt required
Sliding/French doors — patio bolt or security bar (deadbolt won't fit)
Strike plate — reinforced, 3-inch screws into stud
Lubrication — dry graphite only, especially after cold snaps
Rekeying after move-in — $75–$120 per lock if hardware is Grade 1

Bottom Line

Every exterior door — front, back, side, and garage entry — should have an ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate. Knob locks alone are insufficient. In Fort Collins, factor in seasonal frame movement: a deadbolt that won't throw fully in January is not providing the security you expect. Installation runs $120–$200 per door. If you're unsure what you have, call (970) 999-0689 and a local locksmith can assess all your exterior doors and provide a quote before making any changes.