Split opening garage doors - locking/security advice

[wizbongre]

Hi All,

New house has solid wood garage doors - hinged on the outside and opening out from the centre, so not the typical up and over type single door. Although the doors are about 70 years old I believe, they are still solid and have obviously been looked after. Hinges are pretty good too.

Anyway, it currently has a combination of vertical and horizontal bolts all accessed from the inside, plus a standard Yale latch type lock with key access from the outside. Over the years, the key has been lost so I need to replace the cylinder at the bare minimum.

Before I do that, I wondered if there is a better way of securing the doors from the OUTSIDE, so that I can go out on my bike for example and lock the garage doors sufficiently with just a key or two. Then obviously when I'm back, enter straight into the garage and lock it all up from the inside again.

Any suggestions?

 

[kbdiy]

Surely that's exactly what the Yale lock will allow you to do - exit and lock it then return, enter and lock it, all with one key?

If not too old, the Yale lock may have a double-lock feature which means an extra turn of the key prevents the lock being opened forcibly from inside or out.

If you want extra security you could always add a hasp & staple or one of the many variants that exist. Hardware shelves of all the sheds have many to offer.

 

[wizbongre]

Hi kbdiy,

Yes, the existing Yale lock will do that - I just wanted to check there wasn't something else I could fit instead/as well as, before I replace like for like. It's quite an old one so doesn't have the deadlocking you mention.

I was thinking the only other thing I could add would be a secondary, 5-lever type mortice lock on to the opening door, so it at least has two locking points.

I'll invest in a new Yale latch for now and see how I go.

 

[foxhole]

I use a combination lock, in and out so often keyed locks are a hassle.