Headquartered in Orange County, Calif., Kwikset is part of the Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI) division of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB).
A Little background. Before we dive into the comparison, it's important to understand that Schlage and Kwikset are just brand names and not specific lock models. Both companies, Schlage and Kwikset make many different types of locks, such as residential doorknobs, deadbolts and keypads.
Because Schlage locks are made of stronger materials, are superior in their mechanism, and provide far greater security than Kwikset locks, it should be mentioned that they are more expensive compared to Kwikset.
For example, Kwikset locks are not made out of the same quality metal that you would find in Schlage or Yale locks; this can reduce their resistance to brute-force attacks. In comparison, Schlage locks are made from high-quality materials that resist brute force attacks better than Kwikset locks do.
Kwikset currently has manufacturing facilities in Denison, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Mexicali, Mexico. Kwikset also has a facility in China.
You can buy padlocks Made in USA from Philadelphia Security Products, Inc. on our website, AllPadlocks.com. Made in USA brass padlocks are available in various body widths and shackle clearances. Models 52700, 52710, 52720, 52730, and 52740 have a body width of 1-1/2” and shackle clearance ranging from 7/8” to 4”.
Replace batteries with new ones to ensure that lock is properly powered. Typical battery life based on 10 entries per day is 10-12 months if the door is properly aligned and the lock does not encounter interference in lock/unlocking the door.
ANSI Grade 1 (Best) - Kwikset - Classic - Deadbolts - Door Locks - The Home Depot.
CR's take: The Medeco Maxum 11TR503-19 is the strongest deadbolt across all of our lock categories. It's top-notch for drilling, withstands kick-ins very well, and is designed in a way that makes it quite difficult to pick.
Schlage has a number of SC1, and Kwickset has a number of KW1. Depending on the manufacturer of the key, they may not have the name stamped on one side. They may not have the numbers on the side either. However, the shape of the head will always be the same.
Knob locks are the most common type of door lock available and the chief security method for most doors. The lock cylinder is located in the knob itself instead of the door.
This is because Schlage and Kwikset locks are not compatible with the same type of key. Their keyways are made differently, therefore you will either want to have all Schlage locks or all Kwikset locks. When you're at home, you don't want to use different keys for each lock you own.
Basically, you cannot re-key the lock from Schlage to Kwikset, but you can change the lock cylinder from Schlage to Kwikset. A locksmith will be able to do it for you.
Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are commonly used on exterior house doors. Single and double cylinder locks are classified by strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3. Grade 1 is the highest and provides the best security.
A lock's security is denoted by its American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grade, with Grade 1 the most secure and Grade 3 the least. A builder-quality tubular lock will likely be a Grade 3, a good-quality handleset a Grade 2.
For the best security, any entry or exterior door of your home needs a deadbolt lock on it. A deadbolt actually goes inside of your door's frame which is much more secure than just a bottom lock that can be compromised with a credit card.
Check door alignment. Even the slightest misalignment between the door bolt and the strike plate hole can cause increased friction, which requires more power to successfully lock and unlock. This is by far the most common contributor to decreased battery life and should be assessed first.
Re-keying a new lock to match an existing Kwikset key is simple and easy. And all Kwikset pin & tumbler locks can be re-keyed to achieve convenient one-key operation across multiple locks. All you need is a Kwikset Re-keying Kit, a Kwikset key, and a pin & tumbler lock.
Kwikset smartkey locks are certified Grade 1 security for residential use by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association and are advertised by Kwikset as being invulnerable to being hacked with wires, screwdrivers, or anything else inserted in the keyway.
Yes, a higher price can ensure a higher quality of the lock's material and the mechanism itself. In this way, your lock will have a much higher resistance level than a cheap door lock. In addition, even the appearance of a higher-quality and cost-effective door lock can cause thieves to bypass your door.
Kwikset Standard Deadbolt
The standard Kwikset deadbolt is the most common lock in America.
A closed shackle padlock is designed to have the minimum amount of shackle exposed; which means that if a criminal wants to saw it off, they will have a hard time doing so! This type of a shackle typically has a higher security rating compared to an open or semi enclosed shackle.