Schlage Lock Types: Which One Is Right for Your Home?

Schlage and Kwikset together account for the majority of residential locks in the United States. But they're not interchangeable. Schlage's core deadbolt line starts at ANSI Grade 1 — the same security standard used in commercial buildings — while most Kwikset retail products are Grade 2. If you're buying a new deadbolt for a primary exterior door, that difference is worth understanding before you choose.

Schlage B-series mechanical deadbolts

The Schlage B60N is the single most recommended residential deadbolt in the locksmith trade. It's a single-cylinder deadbolt rated ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 — anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill reinforced. It's sold at every hardware store at a price comparable to a mid-range Kwikset, yet it meets the same security standard as deadbolts installed on commercial buildings. For a primary exterior door, it's the right baseline.

The B-series includes single-cylinder and double-cylinder configurations. Single-cylinder (B60N) has a keyed exterior and a thumb turn on the interior — appropriate for most exterior doors. Double-cylinder (B62N) is keyed on both sides and is used on doors with glass panels close enough to the lock that a burglar could break the glass and reach the thumb turn. Both are Grade 1.

• B60N — single-cylinder Grade 1 deadbolt, keyed exterior, thumb turn interior
• B62N — double-cylinder Grade 1 deadbolt, keyed on both sides, glass-panel doors
• B80N — the Century series, Grade 1 with traditional oval exterior trim
• B160N — a lighter-duty Grade 2 option for secondary or interior doors
• All B-series locks are rekeyable to any Schlage C or SC1 key profile

What ANSI Grade 1 actually means

ANSI/BHMA grading is a standardized test result, not a marketing label. Grade 1 requires a lock to withstand 250,000 open-and-close cycles, a 10-strike forced-entry test using a 75-lb weight dropped from six feet, and independent testing against picking and bumping. Grade 2 requires 150,000 cycles and a 5-strike test. Grade 3 is the minimum — 75,000 cycles, 2-strike test.

Most Kwikset deadbolts at retail are Grade 2. The Schlage B60N is Grade 1 at a comparable price. This doesn't mean Grade 2 locks are unsafe — Grade 2 meets standard residential requirements. But on a primary exterior door in any Villages home that sees daily use, the durability difference across 250,000 tested cycles versus 150,000 is real and worth the same or marginally higher cost.

Schlage Encode: Wi-Fi smart lock

The Schlage Encode is the most popular smart lock we install in The Villages. Like the Kwikset Halo, it connects directly to 2.4 GHz home Wi-Fi — no hub required. You manage it through the Schlage Home app: remote lock and unlock, temporary access codes for housekeepers or care workers, and a timestamped log of every access event. Up to 100 user codes can be stored on the lock itself.

What sets the Encode apart is the security foundation underneath the electronics. The Encode uses a Grade 1 deadbolt cylinder — the same as the B60N. When you install a Schlage Encode, you're not trading mechanical security for smart features. The anti-drill and anti-pick design are Grade 1, whether you're entering by code, key, or app.

• Wi-Fi deadbolt with Grade 1 cylinder — no hub required
• Up to 100 access codes managed via Schlage Home app (iOS and Android)
• Remote lock/unlock and real-time access log from anywhere
• Works on standard ANSI door preps — no additional drilling for most Villages homes
• Physical key cylinder included as backup entry method
• Battery life: approximately 6 months with normal use

Schlage Encode Plus: Apple HomeKey

The Encode Plus adds Apple HomeKey to all of the standard Encode's features. HomeKey lets you unlock the deadbolt by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch against the lock — no app to open, no code to enter. The HomeKey credential lives in the iPhone's Secure Enclave, so it works offline, in low-power mode, and even when the phone battery is almost dead. The Encode Plus keeps the same Grade 1 deadbolt cylinder.

The Encode Plus is the right choice for residents already in the Apple ecosystem who want the simplest possible daily entry. For Android users, the standard Encode is the better choice — it costs less and the Schlage Home app works equally well on Android. HomeKey is iOS-exclusive.

Schlage Connect: Z-Wave for smart home systems

The Schlage Connect uses Z-Wave Plus for communication rather than Wi-Fi. It requires a Z-Wave hub — SmartThings, Wink, or Vera — to work remotely. Local code entry works without the hub, so the lock functions independently even without a smart home system. The Connect is the right choice if you already have a Z-Wave ecosystem in place. If you don't, the Encode is simpler and doesn't require additional hardware.

• Schlage Connect BE469 — Z-Wave Plus touchscreen deadbolt, Grade 1 cylinder
• Requires a Z-Wave hub for remote access (SmartThings, Wink, Vera, etc.)
• Local code entry works without the hub at all times
• Up to 30 user codes stored locally on the lock
• Best choice only if you already have an existing Z-Wave smart home system

Schlage Touch: touchscreen with no keyway

The Schlage Touch is a touchscreen deadbolt with no physical key cylinder — no keyhole on the exterior. Entry is by code only. The Schlage Touch is Grade 1, which distinguishes it from the Kwikset Obsidian (Grade 2). If the battery depletes completely, a 9-volt battery held to the contact point on the bottom of the lock temporarily powers the touchscreen to allow entry. The Touch suits homeowners who want keyless entry with no lock-picking exposure.

Why Schlage keys are harder to duplicate

Standard Kwikset keys use the KW1 blank, available at virtually every hardware store and key kiosk. Schlage's standard C key profile is also widely available. But Schlage's higher-security key control systems use restricted Everest blanks, which are only available through authorized distributors. A restricted Schlage key cannot be duplicated at a hardware store, kiosk, or locksmith without presenting the property owner's authorization card.

For Villages homeowners who issue keys to housekeeping services, care providers, or maintenance staff, a restricted-key Schlage system means you control every copy in circulation. Keys issued to service providers can't be quietly duplicated — a meaningful security layer for residents who prefer physical keys over smart lock codes.

Choosing the right Schlage for Villages residents

• Just moved into a resale home with Schlage hardware → rekey rather than replace
• Visiting family or care workers needing temporary access → Schlage Encode
• Already in the Apple ecosystem, want tap-to-enter → Schlage Encode Plus
• Existing Z-Wave smart home system → Schlage Connect
• Maximum mechanical security, no smart features → Schlage B60N
• No keyway desired, code-only entry → Schlage Touch
• Key duplication control for service staff → Schlage Everest restricted-key system

About Locksmith Enforcement

Locksmith Enforcement is bonded and insured and serves The Villages, Ocala, and all of Central Florida. Kobi, the owner, is the technician on every call — there are no subcontractors and no commission-based dispatch. We rekey Schlage B-series deadbolts, install Schlage Encode and Encode Plus smart locks, and carry Schlage-compatible key blanks in the van at all times.