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The locks on your doors play an important role in keeping your home and business safe. You might not give much consideration to your locks as you go about your daily life. But when it comes to installing or upgrading your locks, it can be helpful to know the different options that are available to you. This guide will show you the different types of locks available for a variety of uses on the market today. Another option is to speak with a locksmith, such as Locksmith Pros Schaumburg, of Schaumburg, Illinois, to see which options are available to you and their price points. For now, here is a selection of locks and their applications.
Deadbolts can be found on nearly every residential front door in Illinois. And for good reason. Deadbolts are inexpensive way to increase home security against brute force attacks. There are two main types of deadbolts: single cylinder deadbolts and double cylinder deadbolts. Single cylinder deadbolts use the thumb turn lock on the inside and the key cylinder on the outside. The lock can be opened and closed using the thumb turn mechanism by the homeowner. This makes single cylinder deadbolts the ideal choice for most homes due to the ability to easily operate these locks during an emergency.
Double cylinder deadbolts, as the name suggests, require a key on both the inside and the outside faces of the lock. While this does increase the level of security these deadbolts offer, having to use the key in the middle of an emergency like a fire can waste precious seconds to put you or your family in danger. It is usually discouraged for people to use the double cylinder deadbolts in their homes.
Knob, lever, and handle locks are the ones most commonly found in homes, both in the exterior and the interior. That's because these locks are simple, inexpensive, and easy to use. Locksmiths and other security experts strongly advise against using these types of locks as the only door locks on exterior doors. Instead, they should always be paired with a double lock.
With each of these types of locks, the lock cylinder is installed only in the door and the bull does not provide very much protection against brute force. While you can find high-security versions of these locks with more complicated lock mechanisms, in general these locks employ a simple pin and tumbler lock system can easily be defeated by lock picking or bumping.
Of all of the varieties of locks on the market, Padlocks are the only ones that can be considered freestanding. Padlocks are used for a wide variety of applications, including to secure bicycle chains, lockers, and gates. Padlocks can either be keyed or use a combination lock. Of the keyed type of padlocks, you can either choose locks that can be rekeyed in case the key goes missing, and those that cannot. For the latter type, the padlock will need to be cut off with bolt cutters to remove the padlock if you lose the key. Padlocks are generally inexpensive and provide a fair amount of security for your belongings. Combination locks are the most commonly found types of padlocks.
Electronic locks represent the future of lock security. These locks are seeing an increase in popularity as people search for new and innovative ways to protect their property. While they are costlier than traditional lock hardware, they provide a great deal of security for home and business owners. Electronic locks include digital keypad locks and smart locks that can be operated using a simple app on your smart phone. An established professional locksmith company will be able to provide you with the latest in electronic lock technology to best keep your home safe. New innovations are coming out all the time in this field.
Mortise locks have been around for many years, but have seen a resurgence of popularity recently. They are considered to be more secure than even deadbolts due to their installation. Mortise locks require a pocket, called a mortise, to be created in the door in question. The lock mechanism is fitted into the mortise, making it highly secure against brute force attacks. The mortise lock mechanism is a complicated one that can stand up against lock picking and other forms of attack.
Furniture locks are generally low-security, but can make a fair form of protection for keeping most people out. However, a determined criminal can easily defeat most furniture locks. These are the types of basic locks on furniture such as cabinets, desks, and file cabinets. Many businesses utilize these types of furniture locks. However, if you have confidential documents that need a higher form of protection, high security locks should be considered. Cam locks are one form of furniture locks.
Keypad locks are available in knob locks, handle locks, and even deadbolt style locks. These locks usually have a series of 9-digit buttons that you have to put in a certain code in order to open the door. This might be a 4 or 6 digit number, and you can usually change it whenever you need to. These locks provide a greater level of security than standard locks, as well as convenient operation, without being as expensive as electronic locks. Most security experts are able to install keypad locks.
If you need one or multiple locks installed or replaced, the best place to turn is to a local locksmith company, such as Locksmith Pros Schaumburg. A locksmith can provide you with a wide selection of the above types of locks and more, as well as helping you choose the right lock for your application and budget. Lock installation should be easy and convenient. When you choose the locksmith company that’s right for you, keep their number on hand if you need maintenance done down the road. By knowing the different types of locks available, you’ll be able to make the best decision on which is right for your property.