What Type of Door Locks Are Right for My Home?

A secure locking system is one of the most important parts of any property; for both security and insurance purposes. However, with many types of locks available, it can be hard to establish what one is right for your home.

The appropriate lock for your home is dependent on a few factors, including:

·         Whether the door is internal or external

·         The material the lock is being fitted to

·         Whether the lock is being used alone or in conjunction with another

Within this guide, we’ll take you through the most common door locks you can buy, along with the uses of each one.

The Most Popular Types of Door Lock

Home safety is important, and it all starts with your locking system.

Just one look at our selection of door locks may be enough to overwhelm you; there are so many different types of locks available, all with their own benefits. To avoid wasting time and money on locks which may not be effective in your home, read on to discover which ones will cater to your needs the most.

Mortice Deadlocks

Mortice deadlocks are most commonly fitted to wooden doors and can be locked from both the inside and outside with a key. They are found to be most effective on external front and back doors, rather than internal doors.

Mortice deadlocks come with several lever options, but five-lever mortice deadlocks are the most common as they are far more secure. However, remember that in order for your lock to be truly secure, it should conform to the British Standard Institutes lock standard of BS3621.

Euro Cylinder Locks

Euro Cylinder locks are commonly used externally on composite or uPVC doors. You will typically find a Euro Cylinder lock in modern homes or schools, as its an easy lock to operate and can be keyed alike for multiple key owners.

When fitted correctly, Euro Cylinder locks are extremely effective at preventing lock snapping or picking. The mechanics of Euro Cylinder locks are so advanced that even the most skilled of intruders wouldn’t bother wasting their time trying to pick it.

Multi-Point Locking Systems

Multi-point locking systems are commonly found on uPVC and composite doors, but they are also useful on French, timber and aluminium doors too.

Multi-point locks provide multiple locking points, making them more secure and harder for people to break into. As only one cylinder is needed to actually lock the mechanism, they can also be keyed alike with other cylinder locks, so fewer keys are needed for your home.

Nightlatch

Nightlatches, also referred to as deadlatches, are fitted to the inside of the door alongside a key locking cylinder.

The great thing about a Nightlatch is that it self-deadlocks when you close the door behind you, meaning it won’t be the end of the world if you forget to lock the door with a key. For extra protection, Nightlatches are usually accompanied by Mortice Locks or Rim Cylinders; especially when on timber or wooden doors.

Rim Cylinders

Rim Cylinder locks are part of the rim Nightlatch system – they are usually found on wooden or timber doors and are used as extra protection when leaving your home. All that you need to do is let the Nightlatch self-deadlock and then lock the rim cylinder with a key.

The design of rim cylinders hasn’t changed much over the years, but that just proves how reliable they have been since the very beginning. They come in a variety of sizes and lengths to suit your door and are incredibly easy to repair.

We highly recommend accompanying your rim cylinder with a nightlatch lock; otherwise, it may be easy for burglars to pick.

Find The Right Lock For Your Home

With so many types of locks available, it’s no surprise that finding the right one for your home can be quite overwhelming. With these most popular locks in mind, you should have a better understanding as to what will keep you safe.

If you would like more information on locking systems, do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 01268 562 562. We are the UK’s key and locks specialist and stock a huge range of door locks.