High-Security Locks vs Standard Locks: Complete Comparison for St. Louis Property Owners
Choosing between standard and high-security locks is one of the most important security decisions property owners make. While standard locks provide adequate protection for many situations, high-security locks offer dramatically superior protection against picking, bumping, drilling, and unauthorized key duplication. After two decades installing locks throughout St. Louis, I've helped countless property owners navigate this decision.
This comprehensive guide examines the real differences between standard and high-security locks, costs, benefits, and when upgrading makes sense for St. Louis homes and businesses.
Understanding Lock Security Ratings
ANSI/BHMA Grading System
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) rate locks on three grades:
- Cycle testing: 800,000+ operations
- Strike resistance: 10 strikes with 75-pound force
- Door integrity: Must withstand 360-pound horizontal force
- Typical use: Commercial applications, high-security residential
- Cost: $150-400+ per lock
- Cycle testing: 400,000+ operations
- Strike resistance: 5 strikes with 75-pound force
- Door integrity: Must withstand 250-pound horizontal force
- Typical use: Residential exterior doors, light commercial
- Cost: $50-150 per lock
- Cycle testing: 200,000+ operations
- Strike resistance: 2 strikes with 75-pound force
- Door integrity: Must withstand 150-pound horizontal force
- Typical use: Interior doors, low-security applications
- Cost: $20-60 per lock
Critical Understanding: This rating system tests durability and force resistance, NOT pick resistance or key control—areas where high-security locks excel.
UL 437 Rating (High-Security Specific)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 437 is the standard specifically for high-security cylinder locks:
- Resist skilled picking for 10 minutes minimum
- Resist impressioning for 10 minutes minimum
- Resist drilling for 10 minutes minimum
- Resist pulling, driving, cutting for specified time
- Provide key control (restricted key duplication)
Only high-security locks meet UL 437—standard locks do not.
Standard Locks: Capabilities and Limitations
What Standard Locks Provide
- Casual opportunistic burglars (most common threat)
- Entry by force (kick-in attempts)
- Quick smash-and-grab burglars
- Unauthorized entry by prior residents (with re-keying)
- ANSI Grade 1-2 for quality residential locks
- 5-6 pins in cylinder (typical)
- Brass or steel construction
- Standard keyways (Kwikset, Schlage common)
- Basic bump resistance in newer models
- Budget locks (Grade 3): $20-40
- Quality residential (Grade 2): $50-100
- High-end residential (Grade 1): $100-180
Standard Lock Vulnerabilities
What Standard Locks DON'T Prevent:
- Standard pin tumbler locks: 30 seconds to 5 minutes for skilled picker
- Readily available picks ($20-50 online)
- Picking leaves no damage evidence
- Bump keys work on 90%+ standard locks
- Takes 10-30 seconds with practice
- Bump keys available online ($10-20)
- Leaves minimal evidence
- Standard key blanks widely available
- Any hardware store or kiosk can copy
- No verification of authorization
- Ex-employees, contractors, prior tenants can duplicate
- Creating working key from blank using lock
- Takes 10-30 minutes with skill
- Possible on most standard locks
- Standard cylinders can be drilled in 2-5 minutes
- Destroys lock but gains entry
- Common method for professional burglars
When Standard Locks Are Sufficient
- Low-crime residential neighborhoods (like most St. Louis County suburbs)
- Interior doors within home
- Secondary entry points (rear garage door to yard)
- Storage units with low-value contents
- Properties with comprehensive security systems as primary protection
- Budget-conscious situations where cost matters
Risk Assessment: If your primary threat is forced entry (kick-in), standard Grade 1 locks with properly reinforced strike plates provide excellent protection. Most burglars don't pick locks—they kick in doors.
High-Security Locks: Advanced Protection
What Makes Locks "High-Security"
Defining Characteristics:
- Tested and certified for pick resistance
- Proven drill resistance
- Documented key control systems
- 7-12 pins vs. 5-6 in standard locks
- Sidebar mechanisms adding security layer
- Telescoping pins preventing picking
- Hardened steel components resisting drilling
- Restricted key blanks (not publicly available)
- Controlled distribution to authorized dealers only
- Patent protection preventing duplication
- Signature cards required for duplication
- Documented authorization trails
- Serial-numbered keys
- Hierarchy options (master, sub-master, change keys)
Leading High-Security Brands
- Technology: Rotating pin tumblers with sidebar
- Pick Resistance: Excellent (15+ minutes for experts)
- Drill Resistance: Hardened steel inserts
- Key Control: Patented keyways, duplication cards required
- Cost: $200-350 per cylinder
- Best For: Commercial applications, high-value homes
- St. Louis Availability: Excellent (widely stocked by professional locksmiths)
- Technology: Telescoping pin design with sidebar
- Pick Resistance: Exceptional (20+ minutes for experts)
- Drill Resistance: Multiple hardened pins
- Key Control: Interactive key system, strict duplication controls
- Cost: $250-400 per cylinder
- Best For: Government, high-security commercial, luxury residential
- St. Louis Availability: Good (professional locksmiths, order timeframe 1-2 weeks)
- Technology: Multiple security layers, sidebars, rotating mechanisms
- Pick Resistance: Excellent to exceptional depending on model
- Drill Resistance: Hardened components throughout
- Key Control: Patented systems with duplication controls
- Cost: $180-350 depending on model
- Best For: Commercial, institutional, high-security residential
- St. Louis Availability: Good (commercial locksmiths primarily)
- Technology: Pin-in-pin technology with sidebar
- Pick Resistance: Very good (10-15 minutes for experts)
- Drill Resistance: Good
- Key Control: Restricted keyway with controlled distribution
- Cost: $150-280 per cylinder
- Best For: Commercial applications wanting Schlage compatibility
- St. Louis Availability: Excellent (common in commercial applications)
High-Security Lock Benefits
Security Advantages:
- Standard lock: 30 seconds - 5 minutes
- High-security lock: 15-30+ minutes
- Result: Picking becomes impractical (too much exposure time)
- Specialized pin designs prevent bumping
- Some systems immune to bumping entirely
- Hardened steel drill pins
- Multiple layers of protection
- Drilling requires specialized tools and significant time
- No unauthorized duplication
- Track key distribution
- Know exactly who has access
- Eliminate "lost control" from previous owners/tenants
- Precision manufacturing = longer life
- Better materials resist wear
- 20-30 year typical lifespan vs. 10-15 for standard locks
Cost Comparison Analysis
Residential Example (Single Family Home)
- Front door deadbolt + entry set (Schlage B60 + Camelot): $120-180
- Rear door deadbolt + entry set: $120-180
- Garage entry deadbolt: $60-90
- Total Hardware: $300-450
- Installation (DIY possible): $0 or $150-300 if professional
- Grand Total: $300-750
- Front door Medeco deadbolt + entry set: $350-500
- Rear door Medeco deadbolt + entry set: $350-500
- Garage entry Medeco deadbolt: $200-300
- Total Hardware: $900-1300
- Installation (Professional required): $300-500
- Grand Total: $1200-1800
Price Difference: $900-1050 more for high-security
- If home value: $300,000 typical St. Louis home
- Security upgrade cost: 0.4% of home value
- Potential insurance discount: 5-10% on homeowner's insurance = $50-100/year savings
- Payback period from insurance savings: 10-20 years
- Real value: Peace of mind + key control + superior protection
Commercial Example (Small Business)
- 4 × Grade 1 commercial deadbolts: $400-600
- Master key system setup: $150-250
- Installation: $300-450
- Total: $850-1300
- 4 × Medeco/Mul-T-Lock deadbolts: $1000-1400
- Master key system setup: $300-400
- Installation: $400-600
- Total: $1700-2400
Price Difference: $850-1100 more for high-security
- Average burglary loss (St. Louis small business): $5,000-15,000
- Business interruption cost: $2,000-10,000
- Security upgrade: $1,100 = 7-10% of potential loss
- Plus: Superior key control (employee turnover issue solved)
- Plus: Potential insurance discounts (5-15% on commercial policy)
ROI: High-security locks pay for themselves if they prevent even one burglary.
When to Choose High-Security Locks
Residential Situations Requiring High-Security
Strong Recommendations:
- North City, parts of North County
- East St. Louis, certain Metro-East neighborhoods
- Any area with recent nearby break-ins
- Reasoning: Professional criminals target these areas, picking/bumping more likely
- Homes valued $500K+ (Clayton, Ladue, Town & Country)
- Homes with documented valuable collections
- Properties with expensive home offices/equipment
- Reasoning: Professional burglars target high-value homes, use sophisticated entry
- Recently purchased homes (unknown key copies)
- Rental properties between tenants
- Homes with contractor access
- Properties with house staff/regular service providers
- Reasoning: Know exactly who can access—no unauthorized duplication
- Attorneys, doctors, therapists with patient records
- Businesses operated from home
- Home offices with client data, trade secrets
- Reasoning: Professional liability for data security
- Repeat target homes (burglars return)
- Neighborhood experiencing string of break-ins
- Reasoning: Criminals know the target, need maximum deterrence
Commercial Situations Requiring High-Security
Essential for:
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Service businesses with daily cash
- Reasoning: Primary target for burglars
- Pharmacies (absolutely required)
- Medical/dental offices
- Jewelry stores, electronics retailers
- Warehouses with high-value goods
- Reasoning: Legal requirements, insurance requirements
- Law offices
- Medical practices (HIPAA compliance)
- Financial services
- Reasoning: Professional liability, compliance requirements
- Businesses with frequent staff changes
- Properties with many employees having access
- Reasoning: Key control prevents re-keying costs with every termination
- Businesses in isolated locations
- Buildings vacant overnight
- Multi-tenant buildings with shared access
- Reasoning: Extended time for criminals to attempt entry
Hybrid Approach: Strategic Deployment
Cost-Effective Strategy
Not all doors need high-security locks—strategic deployment provides excellent protection at moderate cost.
Recommended Approach:
- Primary entry door (front door, main entrance)
- Doors to high-value areas (master bedroom, home office)
- Commercial: Doors to cash areas, controlled substance storage, server rooms
- Secondary entry points (rear door, side door)
- Garage entry to house (if garage secured otherwise)
- Interior doors within secured perimeter
- Commercial: Employee-only doors in secured areas
- All high-security: $1200-1800
- Hybrid (front door + master bedroom high-security, others standard Grade 1): $700-1100
- Savings: $500-700 while maintaining strong security
Layered Security Approach
Most Effective Security: High-security locks are one component of comprehensive security
- Makes entry time-consuming and noisy
- Deters opportunistic criminals
- Detects entry attempts
- Alerts monitoring/police
- Visual deterrent (alarm company signs)
- Records criminal activity
- Aids investigation
- Visual deterrent
- Eliminates cover for working on locks
- Deters criminals seeking concealment
- Reinforced strike plates with 3-inch screws
- Solid core doors
- Window security film/bars where appropriate
Reality: A standard Grade 1 lock + alarm system + cameras often provides better security than high-security locks alone.
St. Louis-Specific Considerations
Crime Patterns Affecting Lock Choices
St. Louis Metro Crime Data (General Patterns):
- Most St. Louis County suburbs (Clayton, Brentwood, Kirkwood, etc.)
- St. Charles County cities
- Most Metro-East suburbs
- Common Entry Method: Forced entry (kicks), not picking
- Recommendation: Standard Grade 1 locks with good reinforcement often sufficient
- Urban St. Louis City neighborhoods
- High-crime areas with professional criminals
- Commercial districts (professionals target businesses)
- Common Entry Method: More sophisticated, including picking potential
- Recommendation: Consider high-security for primary entry points
Insurance Considerations
- Some insurers offer 5-10% discounts for high-security locks
- Ask specifically about UL 437 certified lock discounts
- Document installation with receipts (required for claim)
- May reduce deductibles in some policies
- 10-20% discounts possible for comprehensive security
- Some policies REQUIRE high-security for controlled substances
- Professional liability policies may require high-security for certain practices
- Workers comp may have rate implications (employee safety)
Verification: Contact your insurance agent BEFORE purchasing—not all policies offer discounts.
Professional Installation Importance
- Precision installation critical for security features
- Improper installation voids warranties
- Requires specialized knowledge of specific systems
- Registration/key card setup requires authorized dealer
- Cost: $75-150 per lock typical
- Ensures proper installation
- Warranty protection
- Sets up key control paperwork
- Provides ongoing service relationship
- Verify authorized dealer for specific brand (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, etc.)
- Check licensing and insurance
- Request references for high-security installations
- Ensure they can service what they install
Rekeying and Master Keying
Standard Lock Systems
- Cost: $20-40 per lock
- Takes: 10-15 minutes per lock
- Maintains existing hardware
- Creates new key, old keys don't work
- Setup cost: $150-300 for typical system
- Each change key: $25-50
- Master keys: $25-50 each
- Vulnerability: Master keying REDUCES security (adds master wafers creating additional ways to pick)
High-Security Lock Systems
- Cost: $50-80 per lock
- Takes: 15-30 minutes per lock (more complex)
- Must be done by authorized dealer
- Can only use manufacturer's pins and components
- Setup cost: $300-600 for typical system
- More complex than standard systems
- Maintained Security: Engineered to maintain high-security even with master keying
- Key control maintained throughout hierarchy
- Excellent for businesses needing access levels
- Grand Master: Building owner (opens all locks)
- Master: Property manager (opens common areas + one tenant suite)
- Sub-Master: Tenant manager (opens all doors in their suite)
- Change Keys: Individual offices within suite
Making the Decision: Framework
Decision Criteria
- ✓ High-crime area or recent nearby break-ins
- ✓ Home/business value over $500K
- ✓ Controlled substances or very high-value inventory
- ✓ Professional office with liability for data security
- ✓ Previous break-in(s) at property
- ✓ Many people previously had keys (control unknown)
- ✓ Employee turnover requires frequent re-keying
- ✓ Insurance requires/incentivizes (verify first)
- ✓ Peace of mind worth $1000-1500 investment
- ✓ Low-to-moderate crime area
- ✓ Forced entry (not picking) is primary threat
- ✓ Comprehensive alarm system is primary security
- ✓ Budget constrained but want quality locks
- ✓ Willingness to re-key when key control questioned
- ✓ Property value moderate (under $300K)
- ✓ Want high-security protection but budget conscious
- ✓ Some areas have high value, others don't
- ✓ Commercial with specific high-security needs (pharmacy safe, cash office)
- ✓ Want maximum protection for primary entry, standard elsewhere
Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What am I protecting? (Value of contents/data) 2. What's the actual threat? (Forced entry vs. covert entry) 3. Who had keys before me? (Key control concern level) 4. What does my insurance require/incentivize? 5. What can I afford? (One-time cost vs. long-term value) 6. Is this my forever home/long-term business? (Investment horizon) 7. What would a break-in cost me? (Financial + emotional)
Installation and Maintenance
Professional Installation Process
What to Expect:
- Assess doors and existing hardware
- Discuss security needs and concerns
- Review options and costs
- Develop recommended solution
- Remove existing locks
- Prepare doors if needed (drilling, reinforcement)
- Install new cylinders and hardware
- Test all functions
- Set up key control cards/documentation
- Document all keys issued (serial numbers)
- Complete signature cards for duplication authorization
- Provide copies of documentation for records
- Explain duplication process and controls
- Residential installation: $75-150 per lock
- Commercial installation: $100-200 per lock
- Master key system setup: $200-500 depending on complexity
Ongoing Maintenance
- Lubricate every 6 months (dry graphite only)
- Professional service every 2-3 years
- Tighter tolerances = less forgiveness for dirt/debris
- Don't use WD-40 or oil-based lubricants
- Store signature cards securely
- Maintain key inventory (who has which serial numbers)
- Report lost keys immediately (decide if re-keying needed)
- Budget for re-keying: $50-80 per lock when needed
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
The choice between standard and high-security locks isn't about "better" or "worse"—it's about matching security level to actual risk and requirements. For many St. Louis homes and businesses, standard Grade 1 locks with proper installation and reinforcement provide excellent, cost-effective protection. For situations with higher risk, valuable assets, or critical key control needs, high-security locks are worth every penny.
The Three-Question Framework:
1. What's my actual threat? Most burglars kick in doors, they don't pick locks 2. Do I need key control? Unknown previous key copies, high employee turnover 3. What's my risk if security fails? Financial loss, liability, emotional impact
Answer these honestly, and the right choice becomes clear.
For professional consultation on standard vs. high-security locks for your specific St. Louis property, call Doorbusters Lock & Key at (314) 728-5700. We'll assess your situation, explain options without pressure, and install whatever system makes sense for your needs and budget.
Remember: The best lock in the world is only as good as the door it's installed in, the strike plate reinforcement, and the overall security system around it. We help you design comprehensive security, not just sell you locks.
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