The safety and security of your home and property is everyone’s first concern. When it comes to keeping your home or commercial property safe, you should leave no stone unturned. Investing in good quality locks fir doors and windows is a decision that can help you keep your family and belongings safe and secure. However, choosing the best lock for your doors is not as easy as it sounds. Nowadays, there is a vast variety of door locks that serve different purposes and have different mechanisms. Choosing one that suits your doors best can be a little confusing and intimidating. It is better to have some knowledge of the different types if locks and their uses. This can help you figure out which lock works best for your requirements. Here is a list of the different types of locks and their applications.
Deadbolts
Deadbolts are one of the most popular door locks that are used in both residential and commercial properties. They are also one of the most secure locks for doors available today. There are two main types of deadbolts. The single cylinder deadbolt uses a single keyed cylinder on one side of the door while double cylinder deadbolts use keyed cylinders on both sides of the door. When buying a deadbolt, you should check its grade as it tells you how much force your lock can withstand. Nowadays, you can get good quality deadbolts at any hardware store.
Cylindrical Lever Locks
Another popular door lock type is the cylindrical level lock. These locks are much easier to operate than door knobs and deadbolts. This is because its structure us such that it lends to easier ingress and egress. Plus, these locks come in a variety of styles, designs and finishes. You can find everything from sleek handles to metal finishes like chrome door locks. Many people prefer using lever locks for their residential properties for the ease and variety they offer. However, these locks are not the ideal solution for exterior doors as they are not as secure as some other locks.
Door Knobs
Door knobs are probably the most used locks for residential properties. They are not as safe as other lock types which makes them less reliable for exterior use. However, they are perfect for indoor use as they make going from one room to another quite easy. Door knobs despite their popularity are not used externally due to their limited security. The structure of these locks makes them easily buckle under force. Hence, if you want to use a door knob for exterior use, it is advisable to use it along with a deadbolt that reinforces its security.
Privacy Indicator Locks
Privacy indicator locks are most popular in commercial place and rightly so! These locks indicate whether a restroom is in use currently or not. Mostly used in bathrooms these door locks are used to protect the privacy of its occupants. With the rising need for such locks in commercial places, there are many different designs and finishes like chrome bathroom door locks. These high-tech locks with minimalist looks fit in with any type of interiors and enhance the look of your home or building.
Mortise Locks
Mortise locks are powerful locks used in both residential and commercial properties. However, due to their structure and installation methods, they are more popular in commercial properties. These locks have an intricate hardware system that needs to be mounted in the door. It usually consists of a threaded lock cylinder and a cam that engages the lock and allows it to open and close at ease. However, these locks are quite strong and durable and don’t break easily under force. This is one of the main reasons for its popularity over the years.
Cylinder Locks
Cylinder locks are made up of two parts: a keyhole and a locking mechanism contained within a cylinder. Their mechanism uses pins of varying lengths to prevent the lock from opening without the right key. They are more popular as indoor locks as compared to their use for exterior doors. This is because their body structure is easily prone to damage or wear and tear over a long period of time. Also, the construction of the lock is not very ideal for security and their bodies can also be snapped. Thus, these locks are not very durable or secure when used for exterior doors.
Electronic and Smart Locks
These locks are mostly used for residential properties, often as a part of a home security system. While electronic and smart locks sound like the same thing, they are really not. Electronic locks need only electric current to be locked or unlocked.
But, smart locks need to receive a specific set of instructions (usually through a wireless transmission) from an authorized device to lock or unlock. Before installing either of these locks in your home or commercial property, make sure that you understand how it works and whether it fits your needs.
There are many different types of locks available in the market. However, it is important to understand how they work in order to decide what’s best for your doors.
