When was the last time you thought about your home security? If you are like most Austin homeowners, probably not since you moved in. But home security is not “set it and forget it”. Outdated or incomplete protection puts your family and belongings at risk, and the warning signs are easy to spot once you know them.
Sign #1: Your Locks Are More Than 10 Years Old
Lock technology has improved a great deal in the past decade. If your deadbolts were installed before 2014, they likely lack features that are standard on current hardware, and years of daily use wear down the pins and springs inside the cylinder. An older lock can still turn smoothly while offering far less protection than it once did.
Old lock problems:
- Worn pins and springs (easier to pick)
- Single-cylinder deadbolts (vulnerable to drilling)
- Non-hardened strike plates (weak attachment points)
- Standard keyways (easy to bump or pick)
- No anti-saw protection
Modern security features you may be missing:
- Grade 1 deadbolts (the highest ANSI/BHMA rating)
- Anti-drill pins and plates
- Reinforced strike plates with 3-inch screws
- Restricted keyways (pick-resistant)
- Smart lock integration
Sign #2: You Are Using Builder-Grade Locks
If you bought a new construction home in Austin, you probably have the lowest-cost locks the builder could install while still meeting code. Code compliance is a floor, not a goal. Those locks do their basic job, but they were chosen for price, so they rarely include the extra hardening that makes forced entry harder.
Builder-grade typically means:
- Grade 3 locks (the lowest ANSI/BHMA rating)
- Light strike plates
- Short mounting screws (1 inch instead of 3)
- Kwikset SmartKey cylinders, which have known attack methods
- No security pins in the cylinders
The upgrade: step up to Grade 1 hardware on the doors that matter most, starting with the front door and the door from the garage into the house. Spending on proper locks is spending on the part of the house intruders test first. Prices vary by door, so treat any quote as an estimate until it is confirmed on site.
Sign #3: You Do Not Know Who Has Keys
Keys multiply quietly. Over the years a house collects copies that nobody tracks, and you cannot account for a key you do not know exists. If there is any doubt about who can open your door, the safest assumption is that more people can than you would choose.
Common scenarios:
- You just bought the house, and previous owners may have copies
- Former roommates or tenants
- Ex-partners after a breakup
- Contractors who worked on the house
- Kids who lost keys over the years
- Home cleaner, dog walker or house sitter
- Realtor lockbox keys
Your upgrade options:
- Rekey the locks. The locks stay, the internal pins change, and old keys stop working. You end up with one key set that you control.
- Install a smart lock. There is no physical key to copy, and you can create and remove access codes yourself.
Sign #4: Your Home Has Obvious Weak Points
Walk around your Austin home the way a stranger would and look for the easy way in. Most break-ins do not involve clever tools, just an overlooked door, window or garage entry. This quick walk-through covers the places that most often get missed, and each one has a straightforward fix.
Back door security
- Sliding glass door with a simple latch: add a security bar or pin
- French doors without protection at the meeting edge: add flush bolts
- Hollow-core exterior door: replace with solid-core
- Window next to the deadbolt: consider a double-cylinder deadbolt or window film
Garage security
- Door from garage to house has no deadbolt: treat it like an exterior door
- Garage door opener visible in the car: remove it from sight
- Side door into the garage is weak: it is often overlooked and easy to test
Window security
- First-floor windows without locks: install sash locks or pins
- Basement windows easily accessible: add bars or security film
- Ground-floor sliding windows: use blocking bars
Entry door problems
- Visible gap around the frame: fix the weather stripping, which helps security too
- Single-pane glass in or next to the door: add security film or replace it
Professional security assessment
A walk-through by a locksmith finds what you may not see: loose frames, short screws, weak strike plates and gaps in coverage. You get a prioritized list of upgrades so you can spend where it counts. Assessment pricing is on our pricing page.
DIY quick wins:
- Replace strike plate screws with 3-inch screws
- Add door security bars to sliding doors
- Fit window pins on sash windows
- Add motion-sensor lights in dark areas
Sign #5: Your Security Does Not Match Your Lifestyle
Your life has probably changed since you first set up your locks. A security plan built for an empty house during the workday does not fit a home office, a young family or a rental calendar. When the way you live changes, the plan should change with it.
You work from home now
- Old setup: basic locks, nobody home during the day
- Upgrade: reinforced doors, quality deadbolts and a monitored system if you want one
You have kids now
- Old setup: standard keys, no access tracking
- Upgrade: smart locks with codes (no lost keys) and entry notifications
You travel frequently
- Old setup: spare key under the mat, a neighbor checking the house
- Upgrade: smart locks with temporary codes, a video doorbell and remote monitoring
You rent out on Airbnb
- Old setup: physical keys handed to strangers
- Upgrade: smart locks with a unique code per guest that expires after checkout
You downsized or are aging in place
- Old setup: keys that are hard to manage
- Upgrade: keyless entry and an emergency lockbox with a code
Modern smart lock features:
- Remote lock and unlock from your smartphone
- Temporary access codes for guests and house cleaners
- Entry notifications so you know when doors are opened
- Auto-lock in case you forget
- Integration with Alexa, Google Home and Ring
Additional Security Upgrades to Consider
Beyond the locks themselves, a few add-ons raise the effort required to get in and the chance of being noticed. None of them replaces solid door hardware, but they work well alongside it. Pricing for these varies widely by brand and installation, so get a written estimate before you commit.
- Cameras and monitoring: video doorbells, outdoor cameras and optional professional monitoring
- Physical reinforcement: door armor kits for the frame, security film for windows, a lockable gate
- Lighting: motion-sensor lights, smart outdoor lighting and landscape lighting to remove dark hiding spots
- Safes: a fireproof document safe, a gun safe or a floor safe
If you are adding a gun safe, read about anchoring a gun safe to your floor before it arrives.
Creating Your Home Security Upgrade Plan
A good plan starts with the low-cost fixes that close the biggest gaps, then adds convenience and monitoring later. You do not need to do everything at once. Work in order of risk, and let a professional handle the critical hardware so it is fitted correctly.
Step 1: Prioritize by urgency
- Fix glaring vulnerabilities (weak doors, visible gaps)
- Upgrade primary entry points (front door, garage entry)
- Add smart features (convenience plus security)
- Install monitoring and cameras
Step 2: Start with high-impact, low-cost fixes
- Rekey all locks if key control is a concern
- Install 3-inch strike plate screws
- Add door security bars
- Add motion-sensor lights
Step 3: Bring in professional help
- Schedule a security assessment
- Have deadbolts and smart locks installed correctly
- Confirm the final price on site before work starts
Where to Spend First
Smart spending means matching the fix to the risk. Rekeying controls who has access, Grade 1 deadbolts resist forced entry, and DIY hardware covers the small gaps. Avoid spending on things that look like security but do little to stop a real entry attempt.
Smart spending strategies:
- Rekey first. It is the simplest way to secure key control.
- Prioritize the front door. Put your strongest hardware there, then standard Grade 1 on the others.
- DIY the easy stuff. Screws, window pins and security bars.
- Use a professional for critical items. Deadbolts, smart locks and the assessment.
Professional Security Assessment in Austin
We provide home security assessments across Austin and nearby cities, including South Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Kyle and Buda. The visit is a property walk-through focused on your doors, locks and entry points, with advice you can act on at your own pace.
What you get:
- A property walk-through
- Vulnerability identification and ranking
- Personalized upgrade recommendations
- No-pressure consultation
Current assessment pricing is on our pricing page, and the final price is confirmed on site before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my locks are too old?
Locks installed more than about ten years ago deserve a look. Worn pins and springs make a cylinder easier to pick, and older hardware often lacks modern anti-drill and pick-resistant features. A loose thumb turn or a key that wobbles is a good sign to have it checked.
Should I rekey or replace my locks?
Rekey when the locks are in good shape and the concern is who holds a key. Replace when the hardware is worn, builder-grade or damaged. Rekeying changes the pins inside the cylinder so old keys stop working, which makes it the simplest first step.
What is the difference between builder-grade and Grade 1 locks?
Builder-grade locks usually meet code at the lowest ANSI/BHMA grade, with light strike plates and short screws. Grade 1 is the highest rating and is built to resist more force. Start with the front door and the door from the garage into the house.
Are smart locks a good security upgrade?
They can be. A smart lock removes the physical key you cannot track and lets you create or cancel access codes yourself. Pick a model with a mechanical backup, and have it installed on a solid door and frame so the lock is not the weakest part.
Can a locksmith assess my home’s weak points?
Yes. We walk the property, check doors, frames, strike plates and entry points, and give you a prioritized list of upgrades. Prices are on our pricing page, and the final price is confirmed on site before work starts.
Take Action Now
Do not wait for a break-in to think about security. Most home break-ins are preventable with proper locks and basic security measures. Start with the sign that applies to you, and call us if you want a second pair of eyes on your doors and locks.
Call (737) 222-7022 to schedule your Austin home security assessment.
Austin Locksmiths provides home security upgrades throughout Austin and surrounding areas. Texas DPS licensed. Helping Austin families secure their homes since 2015.
Prices shown are estimates
They give you a general idea of what the service costs, and are not a final quote. Your actual price depends on the lock, the vehicle or door, job complexity, and time of day. Your technician confirms the exact final price with you on site, before any work begins.
