Some Different Types Of Door Locks
Door locks come are available in a diverse array of options and functionality. The choice of which type of lock to select comes down to the type of door and the expected amount of security and privacy. There are trade offs to consider, as well, depending on the lock and the style.
Entry doorways have a number of options when it comes to locks. There are two basic styles of locks for entry doorways. There are locks that can be attached to the door and then locks that are drilled into the door. The former are easier to install but often times not as secure. For example, a bar lock is attached to the inside door face with a matching slot attached to the door frame face. The bar slides into the slot to lock. A very common type is the chain lock. Chain locks are not as secure because they can be sawed off or kicked in, however, they do provide for a level of security when opening the door for visitors. The are common in apartment buildings.
More secure locks are dead bolts. These types of locks require drilling through the door. Dead bolts are similar to the bar lock, but more secure. Another advantage with a dead bolt is that they can be locked from the outside with a key, unlike the bar lock. This can provide an added sense of security when traveling. More common locks are the door knob locks. However, typically many have locks, as those described above, in addition to the standard door knob lock. The knob lock can be locked from the outside with a key and from the inside. Once locked, the knob will be unable to turn until the latch is unlocked.
Locks fashioned for inside the door and door frame are more secure and are available in two types, mortice and tubular. Mortice locks combine a door knob latch with a dead bolt latch in one piece. The mortice comes in one piece and requires drilling on the inside of the width of the door and the frame. Although, they are very secure, they also are hard to install for the do-it-yourselfers. Tubular locks are dissimilar to mortice in that the dead bolt is separate from the door knob latch.
One important factor to keep in mind when deciding which type of lock to use is the door width. A one and three quarters inch is typically a standard door size. However, most mortice locks and tubular locks require at least a two and quarter inch width. A tubular design is much like a mortice lock except that the latch and bolt mechanisms are separate.
Both the mortice and tubular locks can be locked from the outside, as well as the inside. These come in a wide variety of finishes and designs. Aside from security and privacy, function and beauty are perhaps just as important. Mortice locks tend to have more designs and options, given their popularity with most door manufacturers.
Over the recent decade, the popularity of keyless door systems has increased. Sometimes the doors are unlocked via a keypad or remote signal. Often times the doors are not locked at all but are linked to a security system which needs to be deactivated if a window or door is open. These types of systems require a home monitoring service that typically comes with additional services and expenses.
For the interior door, as in bathrooms and bedrooms, the choices are also varied in design, function, and security. The most common indoor lock is the door knob lock. The indoor knob lock comes mainly in two varieties, the push button and twist lock. Both of these types are easy to break into and that is important if a loved one becomes incapacitated while locked inside. The push button usually has a pin hole on the outside of the door knob that can be picked with a pin or nail. The twist one are easy to negotiate with a thin metal plate or credit card. In short, there are many aspects to take into account when deciding on a door lock, the least of which would be artistic quality.
Purchase the right door lock to buy to keep your family safe. Buying high quality door locks can be done online. So head online now and save money, and get the right product!
Tags: door locks, home, home improvement, home security, locks, safety, security