Apartment Security Guide
The right lock for your NYC apartment depends on several factors: your building type (pre-war, post-war, high-rise, brownstone), your door material and condition, your building's rules, and your security priorities. This guide helps you navigate the options and choose wisely.
Every NYC apartment entrance door should have a deadbolt -- not just a knob lock. Knob locks with spring latches can be bypassed with a credit card, shim, or simple bypass tool. A deadbolt extends a solid bolt into the frame that cannot be retracted without turning the key or thumb turn. NYC Housing Maintenance Code requires a self-closing, self-locking door on every apartment, and a deadbolt is the standard way to meet serious security needs.
At minimum, look for an ANSI Grade 2 deadbolt. For better security, choose Grade 1. See our guide to high-security locks for specific brand recommendations.
The standard NYC apartment deadbolt. Key on the outside, thumb turn on the inside. Single-cylinder design (as opposed to double-cylinder, which requires a key on both sides). Most NYC buildings use or require single-cylinder deadbolts because double-cylinder versions pose a fire safety risk -- you need to find the key to exit in an emergency.
The surface-mounted lock with a vertical deadbolt that drops into a strike mounted on the frame. Extremely common in older NYC apartments -- you have probably seen the distinctive round cylinder mounted on the inside of the door surface. Segal-style rim locks provide good security and are easy to install because they mount to the door surface rather than requiring a bored hole through the door.
A lock mechanism that fits into a pocket (mortise) cut into the edge of the door. Common in older NYC brownstones and pre-war buildings. Mortise locks are generally very durable and secure, but they can be expensive to replace because of the specialized hardware. Many classic NYC apartment doors have mortise locks that are 50+ years old and still functional.
A surface-mounted lock where the bolt interlocks with a strike ring mounted on the frame. Called "jimmy-proof" because the interlocking design resists prying (jimmying) the door. Very common in NYC apartments, often used as a secondary lock alongside a cylinder deadbolt or mortise lock.
The ideal security setup for a standard NYC apartment door includes:
Having two independent locking mechanisms means an intruder would need to defeat both -- significantly increasing the difficulty and time required for forced entry.
Explore our selection of apartment-rated deadbolts and high-security locks, with professional installation by licensed NYC locksmiths.
One quality deadbolt meets the minimum security standard, but two locks provide significantly more security. A primary deadbolt plus a secondary rim lock or jimmy-proof lock is the standard setup in most NYC apartments. Two locks also means two different entry points an intruder would need to defeat.
Both can provide excellent security when properly maintained. Mortise locks are typically more durable and integrated into the door, but they are more expensive to replace. Cylinder deadbolts are more common, less expensive, and easier to service. Neither is universally better; both work well when you choose quality hardware.
It is not recommended as your sole lock for an NYC apartment. Most smart locks are ANSI Grade 2 or 3, and a mechanical high-security deadbolt provides stronger physical protection. The best approach is a mechanical deadbolt for primary security and a smart lock for convenience on a secondary locking point.