Few do this, but there is one type of lock for hardening your home which will vastly increase security.

Schlage Single-Sided Deadbolt

Single side deadbolts are pick, bump, and jimmy-proof because they only have a thumb turn on one side.  There is no lock on the outside, which means there is no way to circumvent it from the outside.  It is a simple, yet effective way to protect your home from unauthorized access.

These are becoming more popular in hotels, college dormitories, and apartment complexes for the added security they offer.  I added a Schlage Single Sided Deadbolt to my front door a while back to increase my home’s security.  When combined with EZ Armor and Schlage Light Commercial locks, my house is more robust than most others in my community.  The hardware costs me around $30 and my handyman installed it in no time, but the added security it provides is worth many times what I spent on it.

Remember to think of home security as multiple layers that reinforce each other.  Locks, door jamb reinforcement, lighting, a security system, and a well-maintained property combine to make a home undesirable to would-be burglars.  I strongly encourage everybody to do what I did, hardening your home with single side deadbolt(s).