Tri-Bolt is a latch-operated exterior door lock the manufacturers promise will give you safety for your kids, security for your house, and weatherproofing during storms. They insist if you install their lock near the top of your exterior door, children can’t slip out and burglars or windy air can’t get in.

Is Tri-Bolt a security lock that will really let you sleep better at night? Let’s take a closer look and see if it really can withstand heavy scrutiny…

The Tri-Bolt Pitch

Tri-Bolt is targeting primarily homeowners with small children or those who fret about break-ins. They present frightening statistics that a burglary occurs in the U.S. every 13 seconds (actually it’s 14.6) and the average property loss is over $1700 (the FBI says it’s $2185). They promise you more security because they say the lock is nearly invisible to prowlers and out of reach of small children. In addition they claim it’s easy to install and use and will keep out bad weather.

How Tri-Bolt Works

Tri-Bolt is a white, recessed, kidney-shaped door lock that is activated by a latch; they claim it works on any exterior door 1 ¾ inches or thicker be it wood, metal, or fiberglass of standard door size (6 ft. 8 inches) or even 8 feet.

They insist installation of Tri-Bolt is easy or can be done by a professional. Essentially you must drill holes in the upper 2/3 of your door to install the device. Tri-Bolt says this is the weakest spot on your door, especially French doors. The bolting mechanism is 1½ inches and has a diameter of 3/4 inches and the entire thing is made of metal. (More specs can be found on the Home Depot website, which also sells Tri-Bolt.)

Once in place, to use Tri-Bolt, close the door and push down the latch. They claim the door is now securely reinforced. Because of its placement and color, they remark Tri-Bolt is invisible to burglars and will confuse and discourage them. In addition, placing Tri-Bolt near the top of the door makes it inaccessible to young kids, preventing them from wandering out of the house when you are not looking.

Finally, they claim Tri-Bolt has a wind load rating of up to 150 mph, which will keep doors tightly closed in case of severe weather; however they don’t specifically provide information as to how Tri-Bolt was tested or rated.

Tri-Bolt Costs… HOW Much?

$57.94 for one, listed as $49.95 plus $7.95 P&H. Tri-Bolt offers a 30-day money back guarantee, minus P&H and what it costs you to ship back.

Bottom Line: Is Tri-Bolt a Scam?

Tri-Bolt may indeed be a keyless lock you can attach to a door, but there are some things we would like to point out:

  • Many burglars try to enter by kicking in a door, usually near the handle. This is considered the weakest part of the door, not the top third.
  • If you are worried about security, it is recommended purchasing a solid wood or metal door with a heavy-duty strike plate (where the bolt goes into the door) secured with 3-inch screws. (Here are some other suggestions.)
  • A secondary lock with a latch or bolt is generally recommended by police and security experts.
  • Tri-Bolt is available from Home Depot, which lists a 5-year warranty and 90-day return policy. We suggest if you are interested in purchasing Tri-Star, to do so from them.
  • The Jefferson City Police Department offers this handy pamphlet about How To Lock Out Crime.

Let us know what you think of Tri-Bolt. Did it protect you as promised or did you find it to be JUNK?