Lock setup for Brownstone entry doors

I’m setting up locks for brownstone entry doors. What is the typical setup? We have the typical bi-fold doors, followed by a single door on the other side of the foyer.

Do people
-lock both doors?
-lock only the interior door and leave the bi-fold unlocked (for postal entry)
or do you lock it and give a key to the postal carrier?
-lock only the bi-fold exterior doors and leave the interior unlocked?

There seem to be so many variations

Any thoughts/suggestions?

This is a 3 family

wesed1

in General Discussion 4 years and 11 months ago

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Guest User | 4 years and 11 months ago

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For most doors we make we usually recommend an electric strike on the exterior passive leaf.

An electric strike can be wired to a PO (Post Office) lock so that when your mail carrier turns the PO lock the strike will “buzz” him in for a specified time (usually 3 to 5 seconds). An electric strike can be activated through a hardwired connection- such as a traditional intercom system or it can be activated remotely with an app for your phone. Many wireless doorbells have this capability. When a delivery arrives and the doorbell is rung (or if there is motion in the vicinity of the camera)- you will be notified on your phone/computer/device and you will be able to open the entry door from almost anywhere. This capability requires an internet connection. Some will connect to your wifi directly and others require an additional “gateway”.

Additionally, a keychain fob or card can be used to open the door with a proximity reader. Some smart locks have this built in.

So-far-as keys are concerned… two different cylinders can be pinned similarly so that a “master” key will open both doors, but two different “common” keys would be needed to open each lock. But that is probably overkill.

stevecym | 4 years and 11 months ago

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And you can add a deadbolt but I would not expect tenants to use it. Maybe late at night. Key it different.

Also. A smart lock is a good consideration for the outer door for deliveries but maybe not on both doors. People still have to carry a key for these in case the electronics fails. Defo a key lock on inner.

stevecym | 4 years and 11 months ago

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Also, by keying different, if someone loses keys in a suspect manner or someone is hastily removed from premises, you only have to change one lock, not both. Easy to keep a spare cylinder on hand.

stevecym | 4 years and 11 months ago

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Key them different. Box for po key. DEAD LATCHES, as opposed to dead bolts, as tenants and teenagers like to pull doors closed behind them and keep going..

Landlord and family can have master key while tenants get an a and b key.

When service people come, plumber etc, and must be given a key, they only ever get the A key. B key door is left unlocked on days service people arrive.

Use traditional mortise locks as cylinders can easily be swapped as needed or rekeyed.

Steve www.thetinkerswagon.com

yudashasom | 4 years and 11 months ago

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Key both doors alike and install a key keeper for USPS.. assuming mailboxes are in the vestibule.