Lock Types
There are so many different types of locks. Some we are very familiar with and others, we may not be as familiar with because of the countries they are used in. Here in the United States, there are typically four different types of locks, which include deadbolts, padlocks, levers and knob locks. You probably will never know how many locks actually exist out there until you are having a home or a building built. Then, you may have to decide on the locks that are to be installed on the property. This can be somewhat overwhelming for anyone. That is why here at Locksmith Roswell, we will go over some of the most common locks used today and a couple that are not as widely known or used.
Deadbolt Locks
This is one of the most commonly used locks on the market today. If you don’t have one on your exterior doors, you should certainly contact us to have one installed right away. They are the most durable and break-resistant locks offered today. They come in various styles too: double, single, thumb turn and lockable. It is the single cylinder deadbolt that is installed in most homes today. It requires a key cylinder that is on the outside and a thumb turn inside to open it and close it again. A double cylinder uses a key cylinder on both sides, which means you will need a key to open both sides of the lock. This one is not used very often because of the fear of being in an emergency situation and not being able to locate both keys to unlock the door.
Padlocks
Even if you have never used a padlock, chances are that you’ve definitely seen them before. They can be removed because they are not considered permanent locks. While some people may choose to keep one on their outdoor shed permanently, the lock can be moved from one place to another. They come keyed or as a combination lock. The keyed lock means that it requires a key to open and lock it. The combination lock only requires the right combination to unlock the lock. You see these on bike locks, school lockers and outdoor sheds.
Knob Locks
This is the type of lock you’ll often find alongside a deadbolt lock on an exterior door. We never suggest that you have a knob lock installed alone as it simply does not often the necessary security for your door. It can easily be compromised. The lock cylinder is inside the knob and not the door, this makes it very easy to break the lock. It doesn’t even take a seasoned burglar to be able to do this since it can be broken with something as simple as a pair of pliers. We encourage you to always have a deadbolt installed along with a knob lock for added protection and security.
Lever Locks
These types of locks are often installed on the inside of doors, usually a commercial property. They offer ease of motion, which makes it easier to open them. They are also good to have if you want to make your property handicapped accessible.
The above locks are the most commonly used and the most commonly known types of locks installed today. However, here are a few more locks that you may not be as familiar with but may have heard of.
Cam Locks
This is the type of lock that you’ll place on a mailbox or file cabinet. They are offered in various lengths and with different cams that accompany another lock. There are a variety of cam options to choose from. They can rotate counter-clockwise or clockwise and can rotate up to 180 degrees.
Wall Mounted Locks
This type of lock is also referred to as a Knox-box. They are primarily used in larger building establishments to access building keys in cases of emergency. Although this was once their primary objective, people use them for more than just storing their keys, they are also used to store small valuables. Since they are wall-mounted, they can be installed on different walls in all sorts of spaces. They afford you a great deal of flexibility.
Interchangeable Core Cylinders
Again, this is another type of lock often used on large properties. They can be re-keyed simply by changing the core inside the locking mechanism. They work with two types of keys, operator key locks and control keys. The lock can be quickly upgraded simply by changing the core of the lock. Those who are responsible for any type of building maintenance, find this very useful since they may be required to change the locks quite often. Since this type of lock cannot be installed in along with a standard deadbolt, it is best if an experienced locksmith installs the lock. If you decide to install on your own, make sure you see the figure eight on the outside to indicate you can use an interchangeable lock.
Furniture Locks
This type of lock refers to a lock that can lock a variety of things, desk, cabinet, sliding doors. They come in two styles, push button and bolt style. The bolt style has a flat metal piece that comes out of the side of the lock that secures the device. It is the bolt style that is often found in offices on cabinets, drawers and desks.
It is indeed understandable why people are so confused about the various types of locks that exist today and as to which ones actually offer the level of security they need. We only know about them because we work with them. There are always new and improved types of locks coming on the market. However, there are those that have been in existence for centuries and do not appear to be going anywhere. If you’re confused about the type of lock that you should use for a specific area of your home or business, you can also consult with one of our locksmiths at Locksmith Roswell.