Get a lock on style—and your belongings. This Old House's experts help you pick an entry set that suits your taste and budget without compromising your safety
What types of locks are there? A tubular lock has its latch bolt and dead bolt in two separate holes. In a mortise lock, both bolts are encased in a steel box that fits in one hole.
What Do They Cost? Tubular thumb latch sets start at about $100; mortises, about $200. Custom sets from specialty shops can easily surpass about $1,000.
How Long Do They Last? Most entry sets come with lifetime warranties on their locks; they're covered for as long as you own your house. Coverage on the finish ranges from one year to a lifetime.
DIY or Hire a Pro? Upgrading the entry set on an existing door is fairly easy, as long as the new lock is the same type as the old one. In a new slab door, drilling the holes for a tubular lock is a task most DIYers can handle. Cutting the slot for a mortise lock is more difficult; in this case, hire a locksmith to rout the mortise and install the lock.
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