When you think about it, the lock on your door is the first safety and security item in your home. It's the first thing that stands between your safety and unwanted guests and intruders. Locks are essential for every home, business and office. They need to be highly functional and made of strong materials. As we're living in an era of technological advancements, more and more manufacturers invest in digital locks that are almost impossible to break.
Types of Locks
Lever Handle
There are many types of locking mechanisms on the market. Some are more popular than others because of their ease of usage. One of those is the lever handle lock. It's one of the most practical and safe traditional interior door locks. There's no twisting and turning. You simply push the handle down. This releases the mechanism and opens the door.
The two main components of the lever are the handle and a small backplate. The door is opened and closed by the mortice latch. This is the non-locking version of the mechanism. If you want the lockable version, then you should buy the one that has a metal thumb turn or escutcheon. This is a third part of the mechanism that’s found just below the backplate.
The lock is turned by a thumb-turn fitting beneath the handle, which functions as a latch. Lever lock handles have a keyhole carved out of the backplate. They use traditional sash locks to unlock doors. The lever and keyhole are connected to a spindle that opens and closes the latch. The lock is operated by the 57mm-deep keyhole below. There's also a lever euro lock. This mechanism includes a spindle connecting the lever and latch, and a keyhole that’s just above the euro cylinder.
Knob Lock
Knob locks are another popular choice among homeowners. They can have several types of locksets. One of them is the passage lockset. This is the most basic one and it turns either left or right. This turn opens the door latch and the door. The second type is privacy locksets. They're equipped with a turn or a push button in the middle of the knob. This is a common option for bathrooms.
If you’re looking for something to use on the exterior, you can go for the keyed entry locksets. There's a knob that you can lock and unlock from both inside and outside. And last but not least are dummy locksets. They don’t turn and lock. Most of these knob locks come in many material options such as rose gold, brass, nickel, matte black, stainless steel and chrome.
If you want your knob to stand out and improve the overall aesthetics of the room, there are ceramic, glass or wooden knobs. If you have a farmhouse-style home, a rustic knob will certainly complement the space. The aged appeal of the antique-style knob will attract a lot of attention. If you’re looking for locks for the office or some business setting, go for something more modern with a sleek and clean design.
Deadbolt
The deadbolt is one of the safest traditional interior door locks on the market. It works with a key and gives you full control of who goes in and out of your home or office. No one gets a copy of the key without your permission. Always check and make sure the locks are saw-resistant. This will make it hard for burglars to break in because sawing is one of the most common methods of break-in.
If you get a deadbolt with hardened case steel, you’ll get another layer of protection. This is important because burglars sometimes use pliers and hammers to get through the lock. Instead of a single cylinder, go for the double cylinder because it gives you 2 keyholes. This can be a big advantage against robbers especially if the door is near a window. Your home will be safer when it has a key lock on both sides.
Latch Lock
The latch lock is an easy-to-use design that’s very straightforward. All the lock parts are inside a tubular case, and everything is spring-assisted. You may also find them under the name tubular mortice latches. When you insert and turn the key the bolt or the latch inside moves. This movement locks or unlocks the door.
It's important to choose the right size of the latch lock. They come in different sizes, and if you pick the wrong one you can bump or brush your knuckles on the door frame all the time. The most popular size is 64 mm deep with a 44 mm distance to the centre of the spring. The next size is 76 mm deep and 57 mm away from the spindle in operation. The least popular size has case depths of 100, 125, and 150 mm. They're often used not as a safety mechanism, but as an aesthetic complement to the space.
Digital Lock
Digital locks are the best option if you want to increase your home's security. They're not like the traditional interior door locks, and you have to make sure your door is suitable to have a lock like this. To make it as secure as possible the lock and the deadbolt should fit snuggly into the frame. Some of the most common locks are rim-latch, mortise and smart deadbolt. You can choose the one that you like the most.
The three most common methods are Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), PIN code access and fingerprint locks. If you’re looking for something fast and easy, go with the fingerprint method. You don’t need any cards or keys. This part will make you feel more secure because you can’t lose a key or a card if there isn’t one. All you have to do is put your finger on the sensor.
The RFID method works with radio waves, and it needs a small tag to work. You use a card to tap on the reader and the door is unlocked. The PIN code unlock is very popular and it’s a great way to keep your door locked. There’s a digital panel with a keypad and you simply enter the assigned PIN code to unlock the door. People often use 4-6 digits that are easy to remember.
