CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCK TO FIT YOUR NEEDS
Have you been shopping for locks for your home or business? Once you start, you’ll find that there’s a nearly endless selection of all kinds of locks. To sort through this vast array, you’ll need to ask yourself these questions:
- What level of security do you desire?
- Who will be using the lock?
- Where exactly will the lock be placed?
- How would you describe the surroundings where the lock is to be installed?
Let’s look at some popular locks, and consider their security features:
Knob locks are sometimes used as the only source of security for exterior doors in the home, although they’re often installed in addition to deadbolts. A knob lock by itself isn’t very secure, because the lock cylinder is in the knob itself rather than in the door. A knob lock can be broken off the door by a savvy burglar using a hammer. It can also be forced open with pliers or with a wrench behind the knob, bypassing the locking cylinder. If you currently have knob locks, you ought to replace them with simple passage knobs. If you use deadbolts too, you’ll be much more secure. Deadbolts are the safest and most secure locks you can have for your home. They’re referred to as “dead” because there aren’t any springs to operate the bolt; a deadbolt is operated only manually, that is, using a key or a thumbturn.Deadbolts are installed on external doors in 4 types: single-cylinder, double-cylinder, lockable thumbturn, and jimmy-proof.
A single-cylinder deadbolt is the standard type we commonly think of, with a key cylinder on the outside. A thumbturn on the inside opens and closes it. They’re usually used on solid doors of metal or wood. The one drawback to this kind of deadbolt is that if there’s any possible access to the inside (such as through a window close by, or even through the peephole, which a professional thief will know how to do, with simple tools), the door can be opened using the thumbturn.
To remedy this issue, a double-cylinder deadbolt has a key cylinder both on the inside and on the outside of the door. That means that if the door is locked, the double-cylinder requires a key to open it from the inside. It’s good if your door has any glass, or if there’s a window near the door, since it prevents someone from breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock the door. Its disadvantage is that in case of fire, it can be unsafe. If used in a residence, you ought to make sure that there’s a key left on the inside whenever people are home, so that in an emergency you can all exit quickly.
The lockable thumbturn deadbolt is a hybrid between a single-cylinder and a double-cylinder deadbolt, providing optimum flexibility and security. It features a thumbturn on the inside, which works like a regular single-cylinder deadbolt, except that it can be locked using a key, so it cannot lock or unlock the door. This means that, at your place of residence, the thumbturn can be left in an unlocked position while people are inside, but it will operate exactly like a plain single-cylinder deadbolt. When everyone goes out, particularly for a long time, the thumbturn can be easily locked, so even if someone gains access to the door from the inside, the deadbolt can’t be unlocked.
A jimmy-proof deadbolt is a surface-mount lock, often found on double doors and at apartment houses. This sort of deadbolt is preferred due to the minimal door modifications required. In this unique lock, the deadbolt interlocks with the jamb bracket, which keeps it from any vulnerability to being pulled apart or forced from the outside by a would-be intruder. A surface-mount lock means that the lock screws into the inside of the door, rather than with a drill pattern, the way a basic deadbolt does.
Rim cylinder locks will help upgrade your security. You often see them on commercial doors, entry glass doors, and sometimes on doors of apartment houses. These locks are generally used in rim latch locks, mounted on the inside of the door. Rim cylinder locks have a long metal piece extending out from the back of the lock, which runs through the door into a locking mechanism on the door’s opposite side.
Cam locks are the type of lock you see in filing cabinets, mailboxes, and cupboards. They come in various lengths, with a variety of tailpieces or “cams,” which interface with another lock mechanism.
Mortise-cylinder locks are threaded, screwing into mortise hardware mounted inside the door. These locks are held in place by a set screw, and a cam activates the locking mechanism. Mortise cylinders are available in several lengths, and come with numerous options for the cams, depending on the hardware being used.
Lever handle locks are often used for inner doors inside commercial buildings. They’re easier to open than knob locks, as they have a large push-down handle, rather than a knob to grasp and turn. When handicapped accessibility is important, a lever lock is your best bet.
A wall-mounted lock is mounted in the wall, just as the name indicates. One example is a firefighter's box-style lock found in larger businesses, which provides emergency access to the keys to the building. A wall-mounted lock can be a small safe, which stores certain crucial items. They’re usually installed at the time of construction, although it’s possible to install one at an existing facility. A wall-mounted lock normally has a cover or alarm sensor, which allows for networking into the building’s security system, so that any unauthorized access will be immediately detected.
A rim latch lock has a rim cylinder on one side, and a surface-mount latch lock on the other side. Rim latch locks can automatically lock the door as it shuts behind you, so they’re popular in apartment complexes.
Besides the above, there are many more locks, used for assorted purposes. To discover what’s best for you, bring all your questions and concerns to a professional locksmith. If you reside in Johns Creek, Georgia, you may want to contact the mobile expert locksmiths on staff at Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith.