Locks play a fundamental role in the security of our homes. However, with so many types of lock names available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for our needs. To do this, we are going to see what types of locks exist, what their differences are and how to choose them.
Locks for wooden doors
Locks for wooden doors are designed considering the thickness of the door and its security. Additionally, they are usually some type of mortise locks , meaning they are installed on the inside of the door and are not visible from the outside. This provides an aesthetic appearance and prevents the lock from being an easy target for intruders, especially on some types of locks for older wooden doors.
Additionally, depending on the characteristics of the door and your needs, the lock can present:
1. Various types of closure: such as pill closure, bolt closure or anti-panic closure.
2. Different keyhole profiles: there can be several shapes of bowler hat such as the euro profile (pear), the gorget, the round or the oval. Additionally, depending on the security of the cylinder, it will have different types of lock keys .
3. We can also choose the shape of the lock edge: round edge or straight edge.
4. Finally, (AND MOST IMPORTANT) we will have to take into account the distance between axles – distance from the center of the handle square to the center of the keyhole –; as well as the entry – distance from the profile of the lock to the center of the keyhole –. With these measurements clear, you will know how to choose the correct lock .
Electric locks
One of the main characteristics of electric locks is that they allow the door to be opened remotely without a key by simply pressing a button (opening from the intercom or from a switch). This provides convenience and eliminates the need to carry physical keys. Additionally, many types of electric locks allow you to keep track of who enters the property and when. They are generally very resistant to tampering and also have the ability to automatically lock after the door is closed, providing an additional level of security.
Electric strikes must always be connected to a power outlet and be attached to a normal lock for either wooden doors or metal doors.
invisible locks
Invisible locks are a type of security lock that is installed on the inside of the door, making them virtually undetectable from the outside. In recent years, the sale of this type of locks has skyrocketed due to their great resistance to external attacks and their ability to go unnoticed: the main characteristic of invisible locks is their hidden installation. These locks are placed inside the door, out of sight of the intruder, and can be unlocked using a wireless remote control or smartphone. They are usually easy to install and are designed to be robust and durable, ideal for vacation periods. We recommend this type of locks as an ideal solution to increase security for the doors of your home.
Overlay locks
Rim locks are a type of lock that is installed on the surface of the door, rather than recessed into it. Its cylinder is visible from the outside, which can act as a deterrent to potential intruders. In this way, they represent an additional security element, providing an extra layer of protection for those doors that are vulnerable to attacks. In addition, they are usually very versatile because they can be installed on a wide variety of doors, such as metal or PVC. This type of lock is not very common but sometimes it can become the ideal solution to block access to your home/office/barn.
Metal door locks
These types of locks have specific characteristics designed to adapt to metal or PVC doors with narrow frames, and there are even various types of locks for aluminum doors. Metal door locks are made from durable materials, such as stainless steel or blended alloys, allowing them to withstand continuous use and stand up to attempts at tampering or force. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that they are usually installed with short cam cylinders as well as having a smaller entry keyhole (distance from the profile of the lock to the center of the keyhole) than locks for wooden doors.
glass door locks
Glass door locks are designed to be installed without the need to drill or damage the glass. They use special fastening systems, clamps or adhesives that hold the lock in place without compromising the integrity of the glass. Since glass doors are more fragile compared to other materials, locks for these types of doors usually have soft-close mechanisms. Furthermore, the thickness of the glass door can vary depending on the type of lock and its design, although it is true that the thickness of these doors normally ranges between 8 mm and 12 mm, which means that there are various types of locks. for glass doors according to their thickness.
Multipoint locks
Multipoint locks are security devices that are installed on armored or armored entrance doors. Generally these locks usually have 3 or 5 closing or anchoring points, and can be overlay locks (with a z-shaped profile) or mortise locks (with a u-shaped profile). When the key turns, the door closes tightly along the entire side profile of the door and even at the top and bottom of the door. The locking points in a multipoint lock can be: hooks, rollers, bolts and latches, depending on the design of the lock and its level of security.
Antibumping locks or antibumping cylinder
Antibumping locks are locks specifically designed to resist bumping: a technique commonly used by intruders to non-destructively open locks. These cylinders have a special design that makes it difficult to use bumping keys, which are used to open pin cylinder locks without damaging them or leaving traces of tampering. In addition, there are different types of antibumping lock cylinders , some of which have additional pins or discs to provide greater resistance to possible attacks.
Electronic handles
Electronic door handles or electronic locks are security systems that use electronic technology to control and manage access to a door. In this way, they allow keyless access and remote control of the lock. They allow programming of several access codes, whether temporary or permanent, and can be integrated with home security systems, allowing more centralized control.
Types of security locks
The locks are characterized by being a highly secure element complementary to the door cylinder. They are resistant to bumping, picking and drilling. There are different types of locks with numerous ways to open from the inside: with a key, with a button or with a thumbwheel. From the outside you will always need a key. A recommended practice is to buy the cylinder and the bolt with identical keys to be able to lock and unlock both elements (bolt and cylinder) in a simple way.
As you can see, there are many types of locks for our homes. Although it is true, the previous locks do not refer to all existing types of locks. Along with this wide variety of locks and bolts, there is also a wide variety of handles with locks, knobs with locks and even various types of locks for garage doors, as well as various types of locks for bathroom doors or furniture. These are also security elements although they do not offer protection such as the locks already presented.
We always recommend opting for quality security and giving your home a high level of protection.
