3 Types of Door Locks

Keeping your home safe is a top priority and it all begins with your door locks. We often take our locks for granted, many homeowners opting to stick with whatever comes with their house. To ensure you’re protected from intruders, you’ll first want to understand the types of locks that will be used as your first defense. Here’s a brief run-down of the three main types of door locks you should consider for securing your home.

Deadbolt Locks

A deadbolt is a type of lock with a steel bolt that extends into the door jamb and strike plate of a door frame. This is the most secure way to lock your doors, especially since a majority of home invasions are forced entry. Many locksmiths recommend to use larger screws to reinforce the strike plate into the studs of your home. This ensures that - in the event that someone attempts to kick in your locked door - your door and door frame have a better chance of holding up and keeping you and your family secure.

There are several types of deadbolts to consider. Single deadbolts are operated by a twist knob on the inside of the door, with a key on the outside. A double deadbolt lock doesn't have a twist knob on one side, and requires a key both inside and outside. A Jimmy Proof Deadbolt uses an interlocking vertical bolt mechanism. The lockset is installed on the interior surface of the door, and the strike plate is installed on the interior surface of the door frame. Then the two interlocking vertical bolts engage the strike plate to secure the hardware. This vertical interlocking feature also prevents the door from being pried open. Lastly, a captive deadbolt is a double sided deadbolt where a key is left on the inside (that looks like a thumb turn).

Obviously there are times we run out of the house, quickly locking the knob lock behind us. Who has time to stick a key in the door and secure the deadbolt, especially when you’re just running down the road to the store? You have time. Keep in mind, a deadbolt is only effective when in use. Those extra few seconds can have a huge impact on the safety of your home.

Knob Locks

You likely already have this lock on your door. Knob locks are incredibly common but are also the least secure. The locks are all internal, meaning they can be easily damaged or forced open. They may help slightly slow down an intruder, but they’re best when paired with a deadbolt for added security.

Keyless Entry Pads

Do those other options sound so last century? Maybe it’s time to upgrade to a keyless entry pad. As the name would imply, you don’t need to have your house keys handy to get into your home. All you need is a brief, multi-digit code. As we’ve reiterated on this blog before, keyless entry systems are incredibly secure with features like auto-locking and the ability to change the code whenever you like.

Ready to upgrade your home’s lock system? We can help. Sevan Locks & Doors specializes in residential locksmithing. Whether you’re upgrading to deadbolts or a new keyless entry system, we’ll help ensure your house is secure from intruders. Call us today.