When the locks on our home deter someone trying to gain entry, we love them. When they operate smoothly, make us feel safe and get us a discount on our home insurance, we love them. But not all locks are created equally and if you don’t have a good lock on your doors, you could be leaving your home vulnerable.
So how do you tell a good lock from a bad one? Valentine’s Day might be over, but it’s still a great time to show your locks some love!
Top 4 types of door locks for homes
Door locks have evolved over the years and there are now four main types that are the best for homes and often for businesses.
5 lever mortice deadlock
This type of lock is usually seen on both front and back doors and is often fitted to wooden doors allowing them to be locked from inside or outside with a key. They are fitted within the material of the door.
Multi-point locking system
This is a key-operated system that fits into the structure of the door and locks into the structure of the door frame. It’s strong because rather than having a single bolt to engage, it has 3 to 5 or more. These locks work with a Euro cylinder lock and key.
Rim automatic deadlatch with key lock handle
These locks are used on front and back doors and use a key to slide the bolt into the lock. Both parts of the lock are found on the outside of the door and they can only be locked from one side. They are usually used alongside other types of locks as additional security, not the main way of locking the door.
Euro cylinder lock
The Euro cylinder lock is commonly seen on uPVC or composition doors and often works with a multipoint locking system. It is also found with deadlocks and sash locks on aluminium doors.
How do you spot a good lock?
The easiest way to know if a lock is a good one and worth your love is to make sure it is BS3621 standard. This is the British Standard for thief resistant locks and applies to front and back doors. Insurance companies will often stipulate locks need to be to this standard to get a security discount. Good locksmith services will only fit this style.
Look for the kitemark on the faceplate of the lock or sometimes the standard numbers will be marked on the lock itself. These standards will be a little different for commercial properties or places where there are multiple tenants such as shared flats.
How many locks do you need?
There’s no upper limit to the locks you can add to the door although for most people one or two is enough. It’s better to have two locks on wooden doors, usually one is fitted within the door and the other is a night latch or similar.
Other styles of door such as composites or uPVC with a steel core will be fine with one lock because they are much stronger.
If you have any questions about your locks, or would like to request a complimentary security audit, please contact us. We’d love to help.
