The tape not only reminds me not to lock it, but it also reminds me to lock the deadbolt. That's the hardest part if you're used to just closing the door and assuming it will be locked. You can give out temporary or permanent codes to those that need them, and in an emergency, you can tell someone the code over the phone.Īlso, you get used to locking the door rather than assuming it locked itself. No need to give out a temporary key to anyone. I got an electronic deadbolt for our back door on sale a while back, and think it's safer - no need to hide a spare key. If I remember correctly, though, it's easy to rekey a lock yourself, without going to a locksmith. As far as I know, you can't, for example, use the same key for a Schlage and Kwikset. Rekeying locks is pretty easy, but you do need to have the same brand locks. I don't want to compromise security, but if I get a keypad deadbolt, it won't help me at all if the knob is locked, and I imagine the deadbolt is much more secure than the knob anyway. Replace the deadbolts and replace the knobs with knobs that don't have a lock in them Replace the deadbolts and replace or rekey the knobs to use the same keys as the new keypad deadbolts, but avoid using them Replace both deadbolts, unlock the knobs and put a piece of tape over them so nobody accidentally locks them Ideally, I'd have just one key for the whole house, and I'd like to have a keypad lock on the back door at the very least, maybe both. The house currently has "Defiant" brand deadbolts and knobs, but I'd like to replace them since the previous owner, real estate agent, and who knows who else has copies of the keys. Is there any reason to bother with the doorknob lock if I've got a properly installed deadbolt? I've looked online but everyone else seems to be asking the opposite question (if they should get a deadbolt). However, I still have a regular doorknob lock too. I'm moving in a couple weeks I've been looking at those keypad deadbolts (I'm a cyclist and the idea of not having to bring keys with me when I go out is very appealing) that can be opened either with a numeric code or with a regular key.