Sunday, 5 April 2009
Door Hardware - door lock, home security
The quality of these items is indisputable; they are durable and hotel-grade door locks. However, I was extremely disappointed to find that these are NOT for doors with an elevated molding. My back door has a pretty thick (3/4ths of an inch) molding around it and this item will not properly fit doors as such. Both the door and the wall must be flat and at an even surface with each other. National Hardware V804 Door Security Guard, Antique Brass
We were at our wit's end with our, um, "spirited" toddler opening the basement door & trying to sneak into the basement. We didn't want to add a deadbolt; but we had to find something other than those crappy doorknob covers to keep him away from the stairs.
This door guard works great! The door can only be opened a few inches, and it's not as industrial looking as a chain or sliding lock. And the antique brass finish blends nicely with our woodwork and doorknobs/hinges.
It only took a few minutes to put up, and the quality is fantastic. Now, if I could only get the little busybody to sit still for more than 3.2 seconds, I'd be a happy momma!
As a previous reviewer mentioned, this thing will not work unless the door and the frame are exactly flush. Costs too much to return (I'd get back a 1.20 if I paid the 5.20 shipping to return), otherwise feels like a quality product.
I really like this door guard and the colors are a great match for most door equipment. HOWEVER, the screws they include, while color-matched, are so soft that they strip even when installed properly. So, make sure you do it by hand and with a perfectly sized philips head or else... Really should do three stars for that, but it was oterwise solid.
Agree with other reviewers: quality product, but doesn't work with raised molding
Pros:
+++ Sturdy, well-machined all-metal design
+++ Smooth action
+++ Fairly simple to install (though see my notes)
Cons:
--- Screws too small
--- Isn't well designed for raised molding
Like others I discovered challenges with our raised molding -- thus one rating star deduction for lack of clarity about that in the product description. Also, I needed to substitute my own 3" screws for the part that mounted on the door frame -- really, the small screws provided were laughably insufficient. I managed to make it all work, but had some challenges during installation -- I was just barely able to get things properly aligned (lock components, screws, et al).
Bottom line: Solid high-quality product better suited for flat surfaces -- NOT doors with raised molding
If you install this security guard properly, you will never have to argue with your spouse again about those ridiculous door-knob cages that make actually opening the door impossible. We have installed one of these guards on the front door, back door, and on an interior door where tools are kept in the house. Until our toddler learns to climb, these gadgets are a god-send for keeping him contained and from having him walk out into the street.
One of the guards we got seemed to come apart too easily and this was frustrating because some components of it are riveted, but in retrospect we think it broke because we installed it a bit unevenly.
This is the best thing we've found for keeping doors shut and our toddler indoors and out of trouble.
I installed this very easily, and it works very well. The price is affordable, but my biggest complaint is that the screws were TERRIBLE! I nearly stripped about half the screws until I decided to go to the hardware store and pick up some better quality screws. Be careful installing this with the cheap screws, you may end up with stripped screws in your door.
not much to note here, just a lock for under $10. it works, but after a few slam from tryna open it while it locked, one pin fell out, but it still works as a lock. just not for a high security area clearly - Baby Safety - Door Hardware - Home Security - Door Lock'
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