What is the best deadbolt lock for a prewar walk-up apartment in Williamsburg?

The best deadbolt for a Williamsburg prewar walk-up is a Grade 1 deadbolt with a pick-resistant cylinder - specifically a Schlage B60N or Kwikset 980 at the entry level, stepping up to a Medeco or Mul-T-Lock cylinder if you want serious key control and drill resistance. The right choice depends on your door condition, whether you rent or own, and how much access control you need over who has keys.

Which deadbolt brands actually hold up in a Brooklyn prewar apartment?

Prewar buildings in Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Greenpoint share a common problem: old doors with soft wood frames, sometimes warped over decades, and hardware that was last touched in the 1990s. The lock on the door is only as strong as what it is mounted to.

That said, the cylinder and bolt quality still matter. Here is how the main brands stack up for this type of building.

• Schlage - The Schlage B60N is a true Grade 1 single cylinder deadbolt. It has anti-pick pins, a solid brass cylinder, and a reinforced strike plate in the box. It is the most common upgrade we install in Brooklyn apartments. Schlage also makes the Schlage Encode, a smart deadbolt that pairs with a keypad and works without a hub - good for landlords managing multiple units in a Bushwick or East Williamsburg building.
• Kwikset - The Kwikset 980 is their Grade 1 option. It is pick-resistant and drill-resistant, a step above the standard Kwikset you find at big-box stores. Kwikset also makes the SmartKey system, which lets you rekey the lock yourself in seconds without a locksmith - useful for renters who move frequently. It is not as robust as Schlage, but it is a solid mid-range choice.
• Medeco - When key control is the priority, Medeco is the answer. The cylinders use a restricted keyway, meaning keys cannot be copied at a hardware store or a kiosk. Anti-pick pins and a hardened steel insert make them drill-resistant. A Medeco cylinder can be fitted into a standard deadbolt body. This is the lock we recommend for brownstone owners in Bed-Stuy who rent out floors and need to know that no unauthorized copies of their keys are floating around.
• Mul-T-Lock - Another high-security option with a telescopic pin tumbler design that is extremely pick-resistant. ASSA ABLOY owns both Mul-T-Lock and several other security brands, and the quality is consistent. Mul-T-Lock also uses a restricted keyway with key control. For a ground-floor apartment or a storefront in Downtown Brooklyn, this is worth the investment.

For most Williamsburg renters, a Schlage B60N with a reinforced strike plate is the practical answer. For owners who want long-term key control, Medeco or Mul-T-Lock is the upgrade.

Should a Brooklyn apartment use a smart deadbolt or a traditional lock?

Smart locks have gotten genuinely good. The Yale Assure is one of the cleanest options on the market - a slim, all-keypad smart deadbolt that integrates with most smart home systems. It is popular with landlords in Williamsburg and Greenpoint who do Airbnb rentals or short-term furnished leases, because you can issue a guest code and delete it when they leave.

The Schlage Encode mentioned above is another strong pick. It has built-in WiFi, no separate hub needed, and a Grade 1 bolt. It works well on brownstone front doors where the owner lives upstairs and wants to let in a dog walker or contractor without cutting a key.

Where smart locks fall short is in older New York City door frames. Prewar doors sometimes have non-standard backsets or thin stiles that make installation tricky. A traditional deadbolt - especially a jimmy-proof deadbolt or rim lock - is sometimes the better fit for those doors. A rim lock mounts on the surface of the door rather than through it, which makes it an option when boring a standard hole is not possible.

One thing to remember: a smart deadbolt is only as strong as its mechanical components. A Yale Assure with a Grade 1 bolt is a real lock. A cheap smart lock with a Grade 3 bolt is not, no matter how nice the app is.

What else should a Williamsburg or Brooklyn apartment door have besides the deadbolt itself?

The deadbolt is the main event, but the supporting hardware matters just as much.

• Reinforced strike plate - Most doors come with a strike plate held in by short screws that go into the door casing, not the stud. A reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws changes that completely. This single upgrade stops the majority of kick-in break-ins.
• Door reinforcement kit - For doors with thin frames or older wood that has softened, a door reinforcement kit wraps steel around the latch area and the hinge side. Combined with a Grade 1 deadbolt, this makes a prewar door significantly harder to force.
• Abloy or restricted keyway cylinders - If you are a landlord in Bushwick or East Williamsburg managing several units, a master key system with a restricted keyway through Abloy or Mul-T-Lock gives you building-wide access control without the risk of tenants duplicating keys freely.
• Double cylinder deadbolt - Only for specific situations where there is glass in or near the door. Requires a key to exit, which is a safety consideration worth discussing with a locksmith before installing.

We stock most of these products on the shelf at B & G Hardware, 210 Robeling St in Williamsburg. Walk in and you can pick up a Schlage, a Kwikset SmartKey, or a reinforced strike plate without waiting. If you want installation or a security assessment of your door, call B & G Locksmith at (347) 699-9268 and we will set something up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a single cylinder and double cylinder deadbolt for a Brooklyn apartment?

A single cylinder deadbolt locks and unlocks with a key on the outside and a thumb-turn on the inside. A double cylinder deadbolt requires a key on both sides - useful if you have a glass panel near the door, but a safety concern if you need to exit quickly. Most NYC apartments use single cylinder. Double cylinder is worth considering only for doors with sidelights, and you should check your local fire code before installing one.

Can I rekey my lock instead of replacing it entirely?

Yes, if the lock is in good mechanical shape and is a common brand like Schlage or Kwikset, rekeying is the faster and less expensive route. A locksmith changes the pins inside the cylinder so old keys no longer work. If the lock is worn, has been drilled, or has a low-security cylinder, a full replacement makes more sense.

Does B & G Locksmith carry locks in stock, or do I have to order and wait?

B & G Locksmith operates out of the B & G Hardware storefront at 210 Robeling St in Williamsburg. Most common deadbolts, cylinders, and door hardware are on the shelf. You can walk in, pick a lock, and have it installed the same day - no waiting on shipping.