Having an appropriately locked door will ensure that your home is well-protected from attacks from intruders, and this is where door locks come in. Though doors can make an eye-catching statement, they pose some security risks and expose the house. Therefore, when choosing door locks, you should prioritise quality and efficiency as this will enhance the security of your home.
A burglary occurs roughly every 108 seconds, and replacing items after burglaries can be extremely expensive. In most instances, when burglaries occur, the burglar did not have to force their way into the home as the doors were not properly secured. When it comes to choosing the best locks for your home, there are plenty of options available. Therefore, it is essential to consider the following factors to ensure you select the best door locks for your home.
Type of Door Locks
When picking out the best door lock for your home, you should consider the type of lock your exterior and interior doors need. For example, the exterior doors of your home, like your front and doors, as well as garage doors, will need keyed entry function locks. The lock has a cylinder placed on the outside, and a thumb turn inside the door. Therefore, when you lock the door, you will only open this door using a key from the outside.
With the interior doors like bathrooms, bedrooms and closets, you can choose a passage function lock as it is sufficient for interior door lock needs. Passage function locks are also operational on both sides of the door. Below is a list of reliable, high-quality door locks for your home.
1. Multi-point locking system
A multi-point system is fitted to the body of a door which bolts the door into the frame, locking at multiple points. The locking system is key operated and offers a high level of security, making the lock a popular choice for external doors in the home. If someone tries to force the door open, the multi-point locking system will distribute the weight throughout 3,5 or 7 points, making it difficult to break.
You can fit multi-point locks to composite, UPVC, timber and aluminium doors, and they are commonly used on both back and front doors. The door locks only require one cylinder to lock the entire mechanism, and multiple cylinder locks can be keyed alike, which means you can reduce the number of keys you will need for one property. Though having one cylinder is a considerable advantage when it comes to keys, it also means that there are fewer locks to defeat.
2. Rim cylinder with a deadlatch
Rim locks are mounted to the inside of the door using a cylinder that will go through the door, allowing the door lock to be operated by a key from the outside. A deadlatch automatically locks itself whenever the door is closed, making it easier to leave the house quicker. A rim lock will also offer you better peace of mind knowing that the door is locked behind you.
Due to their high security, you can fit rim locks to wooden, timber, and glass panel doors with deadlatch or nightlatch doors being used on external doors. These locks are commonly found on front and back doors.
3. Five lever mortice sashlocks
Mortice locks can only be opened with a key and embedded into the door. These door locks are commonly found on back doors and are often described as deadlock or sash lock. A deadlock is a mortice lock with only a keyhole and a bolt. A sash lock has a latch, bolt and a pair of handles.
Mortice locks can be found on external doors such as front and back doors, and they are less commonly found on internal doors. These locks are easy to replace but do not have an automatic locking option.
4. Smart locks
Smart locks are keyless locks that enable you to open your doors without using a physical key. These door locks can be controlled remotely, and some models feature a numeric keypad requiring a unique code to gain access to your home. Smart locks are usually connected to your home’s WiFi network through which it can receive the smartphone command or code to lock or unlock the door.
Smart locks can be fitted to many door types such as uPVC, wooden and aluminium doors. However, before purchasing a smart lock, check the specifications to see which door materials it is compatible with. Smart locks can also be fitted to external and internal doors throughout your house as a smart home system.
Smart locks enable you to control your doors from where you are; with them, you do not need to worry about losing keys. However, you must change the code regularly to prevent unwanted access to your home.
Consider the Door Lock Rating
Once you have decided on the type of door lock your house needs, you will also need to consider the door lock’s rating. You can check the different ratings for door locks you want to gain information from other company websites. You could also ask for a recommendation from a door lock service to know which door locks would fit better in your home.
Door Frame
Door framing is often overlooked when people are trying to secure their doors, but it is a known weak point for thieves to target. Your door might be solid enough to withstand some brute force. However, this is useless if the door’s hinges are kicked out of the frame. You may choose a door lock that is secure and highly rated, but that will not matter if you attach it to a flimsy frame; the door lock will be easier to defeat.
Conclusion
When buying door locks for your home, there are plenty of factors to consider, like the location of the door in your home and the level of security you require. The list above will give you some direction about the type of door lock to purchase. Once you have decided on the door locks that best suit your home, you can also think about whether or not you require professional or DIY installation.
Have a look at Door Lock Maintenance – 5 Ways to Preserve Your Locks.
