There are so Many Different Kinds of Locks! How do You Choose What's Best for Your Home?

Have you been looking for the right locks for your home? Once you begin shopping, you’ll find out that there’s a nearly endless selection of types of locks - such as wall-mounted locks, pin-tumbler locks, bump-proof locks, high-security cylinders, lever-handled locks, rim locks, cam locks, interchangeable core cylinder locks, mortise locks, doorknob locks, padlocks, key-in-knob cylinder locks, keycard locks, combination locks, biometric locks, switch locks, deadbolts, and even more than that!

The most recognizable reputable brands are:

• Ace
• American
• Arrow
• ASSA
• Baldwin
• Ilco
• Falcon
• Kwikset
• Master
• Medeco
• Primus
• Schlage
• Yale

Deadbolts, as any locksmith professional will tell you, are a reliable line of defense when it comes to safeguarding your place of residence effectively. The reason they’re referred to as “dead” is because they don’t have any springs to operate the bolt; that is, you operate a deadbolt by hand - with a thumbturn or key. Residential locksmith experts usually recommend that you install deadbolts on all exterior doors. There are many different sorts of deadbolts. The most common are: single-cylinder, double-cylinder, lockable thumbturn, and jimmy-proof.

• A single-cylinder deadbolt is the basic deadbolt lock, with a key cylinder outside, and a thumbturn inside to open or close it. You’ll frequently see these deadbolt locks on solid metal or wooden doors. The one disadvantage of this deadbolt is that if there’s any access to the inside - such as through your door’s window, through the peephole, or through a window next to the door - then an intruder could use the thumbturn to get the door open.
• The double-cylinder deadbolt gives you additional security. This deadbolt has a key cylinder both outside and inside the door. That means, if it’s locked, the double-cylinder always requires a key to open the door from the inside. It’s great if your door has any glass, or even if your door has a nearby window, because a burglar who manages to shatter the glass and reach in won’t be able to unlock the door. Its one minor drawback is that you need to remember to always have an extra key available in your house. So, whenever people are at home, in case of fire or in any other emergency, everybody can safely and quickly leave the house.

• A lockable thumbturn deadbolt combines the best features of the double-cylinder and single-cylinder deadbolt. This deadbolt provides exceptional flexibility and security. With a thumbturn inside, it functions just like a basic single-cylinder deadbolt, but it can also be locked with the key, so that the thumbturn won’t lock or unlock your door unless you also have your key. Thus, you can leave the thumbturn in an unlocked position while you’re at home, yet it will still work exactly like a single-cylinder deadbolt. Then, when you go out, especially if it’s for a long period, the thumbturn can be locked easily.

• The jimmy-proof deadbolt is a surface-mount lock, which you often notice on double doors and at apartment buildings. A surface-mount lock means that the lock screws inside the door, rather than with a unique drill pattern, the way a standard deadbolt does. A jimmy-proof deadbolt is favored by many, since it requires only minor door modifications. In this kind of deadbolt lock, the deadbolt interlocks with the jamb bracket. Therefore, it’s not prone to being pulled apart, and it’s also difficult to force it open from the outside.

The above are all wise choices in deadbolts. There are also numerous additional viable deadbolts to consider: vertical, mortise, rim, keyless, and digital.

• The vertical deadbolt lock is bolted on the inside of the door, but on top, making it impossible for a robber to force it open by putting a bar between frame and the door. It’s not very difficult to install this type of deadbolt. One small shortcoming to the vertical deadbolt is that it’s a bit ungainly; some people think it’s unattractive.
• The mortise deadbolt is a deadbolt that cannot be tampered with easily. With a traditional look, this deadbolt is installed in a mortise or recess pocket, cut into the edge of the door. This lock provides excellent resilience; but one weakness is that because you need to penetrate the door frame to make a large hole, it might somewhat impair the door’s structure.
• The rim deadbolt is deadbolt bolted to the inside face of the door, and easy to install. One advantage to this deadbolt lock is that it automatically locks behind you when you shut the door, so you won’t forget to lock it. Of course, if you are someone who often loses your keys, you may not view this feature as a benefit. Also, some think that a rim deadbolt is clunky and unsightly.
• The keyless deadbolt lock is mounted on the inside of the door, but it has a keypad, not a keyhole. You input a secret code rather than turning a key. Since you don’t have to use a key, there won’t be a concern over losing it or someone stealing it. Another plus is that you can change your code whenever you wish in order to optimize your security.
• The digital deadbolt is a lot like a keyless deadbolt, since it has a keypad, but it also requires batteries or electricity. One annoyance is that you’ll always have to be sure you keep the batteries charged, or your property will be susceptible to theft in the event of a power outage. Furthermore, there is a slight possibility it could be hackable.

These are the most popular no-nonsense locks. The truth is, somewhere there exists a lock to fit every locale and purpose. If you want to make well-informed choices about finding the perfect locks, bring all your questions to a trusty local locksmith company. If you’re in Tuckahoe, Virginia, hire a reliable locksmith such as a staff residential locksmith specialist at Tuckahoe Locksmith Services, where free consultations are available.