Door Chain Locks for Apartment Living: Privacy Without Compromise

Door Chain Locks for Apartment Living

What You Need To Know

• Apartment life comes with many challenges, not least difficulties in securing consistent privacy
• By installing a door chain, those living in apartments make it easier to keep themselves safe
• Door chains are a great way to screen visitors and also act as a secondary security barrier
• Ensuring door chains are correctly placed and maintained ensures their longevity

Modern apartment buildings are generally safer than old-school designs, but they still have some risks when it comes to privacy. That’s why many people decide to secure door locks with chain add-ons. A secondary lock mechanism in the form of a lockable door chain can really make apartments feel secure.

Whether you own an apartment that you live in or you are in charge of a rental, fitting a door chain lock is a great idea. They are affordable, easy to install, and can provide reliable secondary security. When paired with a high-quality door lock, like the ones you find at Locks & Hardware, you’ll feel much safer.

Let’s take a look at the various benefits one receives if they have door locks with chain accessories fitted. By the end of this guide, you should appreciate the value that having a door chain offers to you or your tenants. 

Why Would I Want A Door Chain On My Apartment Entrance?

Look, we get it; security has moved on a lot in recent years. People are only interested in high-end and stylish security systems powered by their smartphones. However, the old systems still work a treat. With a lockable door chain, you can look forward to various benefits such as:

• Easy child protections. Living in an apartment with a child? You know how easily they can get out of an apartment. With a chain placed at an adequate height, this stops them from heading out when your back is turned.
• Simple visitor screening. Someone chapped your door who you weren’t expecting? A chain gives you a quick way to open up the door and see who is on the other side before you decide whether or not to let them in.
• Reliable secondary security. While by no means a replacement for a traditional door lock, a door chain offers a secondary layer of security. If a burglar breaks your locks, the chain can stop them from getting inside.
• Preventing forced entry. Sometimes, criminals go for the old-fashioned way of door breaking and just smash the door down. A chain can provide an extra bulwark to stop them from getting inside, at least until you can react.
• Cost-effective protection. Compared to something like a smart alarm system, a lockable door chain provides reliable, affordable security on a very friendly budget. They’ll cost you a fraction of what you would pay for even basic smart security.

Installing Door Locks With Chains & Using Them Properly

The above should give you a pretty decent lowdown on the benefits of having a lockable door chain. Door locks and chains go hand-in-hand for old-school, reliable security. However, if you choose to fit a door chain on your own, how do you make sure you get the installation correct?

Focus On The Chain Height

The first factor to take into account is the height of the door chain. If you place the chain too high, you won’t be able to reach it. If you place it too low, though, younger family members – like young children looking to get out to the street – can easily pop the chain off. So, focus on finding the ideal height.

Every door is different, so you will need to take your personal setup into account. Most of the time, you should be aiming for a height that is reachable for any adult and also for teenagers. If you really want to get a personalised height, measure everyone in your house and see how high they can reach!

Next, look at the chain length

You also need to make sure you factor in the length of the chain. When installing the chain, you need to make sure that the chain itself stretches far enough to allow the door to open somewhat. At the same time, you need to make sure that, when opened, the chain cannot be disengaged from the outside.

If all someone has to do is reach through the open door and pop the chain off, it’s as useful as a chocolate teapot. So, measure the length of the chain and then consider just how far it can stretch. Your chain should allow the door to open just enough that you can see and converse with whoever is outside.

Do You Want Locks?

Some door chains also come with a lock as opposed to just a little latch to fit the chain into. If you want to have a lockable door chain, you’ll probably need to go through a more complicated installation process than you would with a basic door chain. 

Take your DIY skills into account here, because lockable chains need you to fit a groove into the door and, most likely, the door frame. That needs more tools, time, and also a higher risk of making a mistake that could leave you with a damaged door and/or frame. 

Keep Your Chain Clean

Make sure that you regularly clean your chain with a basic cleaning solution for the metal material it is made from. Also, regularly apply lubricant to the chain and the latch; this can stop the chain from rusting up and also makes sure that the operation is smooth, avoiding the chain from snagging or catching.

Do Not Ignore Signs Of Decay

If you spot that your chain has, in fact, rusted or part of it has broken or weakened, get it replaced ASAP. You can usually find the same size of chain again with relative ease, making it easy to remove the old chain and fit a new one. 

A damaged door chain can become quite easy to break through, so take any signs that your chain is not in peak condition seriously. 

Door Chains: A Simple, Effective Way To Secure Your Apartment

The above steps should give you a pretty good idea of why having door locks with chain add-ons makes sense in an apartment. They are the perfect choice whether you are short on money or just want to add a simple little security feature that helps you feel a little safer at night.

Just make sure that you regularly maintain the chain and that you actually use it. Many door chains get installed, but then those living in the apartment do not engage the chain. Make it a natural practice for everyone at home to connect the chain as soon as they get inside and lock the door. 

When used in accordance with a quality door lock, you can feel a lot safer with a chain installed. Given their ease of installation and their simplicity, they are among the best security add-ons for apartments.