Doors & Windows · Locks & Hardware
Locks and Hardware — real answers.
Deadbolts, smart locks, sticky doors, misaligned strikes.
All questions in this topic
How do I fix a door that won't latch properly?
A door that won't latch either has a strike plate that's out of alignment (most common) or the door itself has sagged. Close the door slowly and mark where the latch hits the strike — if it's above or below the hole, either move the strike plate or shim the top hinge to lift the latch side back into place.
Are smart locks safe for a front door?
Yes — modern smart locks from established brands (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, August, Level) are as physically secure as a comparable mechanical deadbolt and add real features: keyless entry, auto-lock, and a log of who came and went. Avoid the cheapest Amazon models and any lock without a physical key backup.