Locks and knowing the best locks for your property can be a minefield! With hundreds if not thousands to opt for, door and window locks can all offer something different, with only some locks suitable for different types of doors and windows.
What you need, and what you want all need to be taken into consideration when choosing the right lock. However, it’s also important to know your locks and the different types of locks available.
Knowing the difference between sash locks, deadbolts, multipoint locks, anti-snap locks and more will help more informed decisions to be made as well as avoid any scam locksmiths out there trying to take advantage!
Our Locksmiths Durham want to help. In this post, we’ve listed some of the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular locks currently found on the market.
Different Types of Locks
Locks suitable for UPVC
UPVC locks, also known as Euro Locks, come with a standard multipoint central locking system, and as they come fitted with long metal strips, hooks and rollers can be added as additional locking devices.
Euro Locks and Euro Cylinders (part of the make-up of a UPVC lock) go hand in hand with Euro door handles – the most common handle found on all UPVC doors.
Euro locks are made up a dimple cut blade key and a 12 telescopic pin tumbler system. The lock case itself has a euro shaped hole, hence its name, and the cylinder itself is within the lock case and secured by fixing a screw through the face of the lock case itself.
Advantages of Euro Locks
- Available in two different styles, standard Euro locks, and anti-snap locks.
- Standard Euro Locks – basic in design making them simple to use and available in different sizes making them adaptable and suitable to a range of UPVC door types. A standard euro lock uses one piece of metal to connect the sides of the locking mechanism together.
- Anti-snap locks – compromising two parts, enabling the lock to work still and lock even if you experienced an attempted break-in. This is due to the additional components introduced into the mechanism, where only the front part of the lock can be damaged, leaving the cam secure and preventing further access to the inside part of the mechanism and access to the property completely! Anti-snap is by far the most popular Euro lock, offering you added security and protection, they’re also available in a range of finishes and models depending on the brand you most prefer.
- Locks face new standards and checks to ensure euro cylinders work to the highest standards and resist anti-snapping attacks!
- Most locking problems associated with UPVC doors can be fixed by professional, trustworthy, and experienced locksmiths without the need to replace the entire locking mechanism and breaking the bank!
- Anti-snap Euro locks and cylinders provide an added level of security keeping your property and belongings safe.
- Euro locks are durable, reliable, high quality and incredibly strong cylinders, offering fewer problems and less chance of break-ins through this means.
- Euro cylinders are also easy to install and can work alongside other safety mechanisms you may already have in place.
- These locks are designed to give doors a modern look and feel and can also include additional features such as anti-bump and anti-drill offering the ultimate kitemark when it comes to improving door security.
- Offer the highest level of security. Good brand Euro locks will be kitemarked with a seal of approval, covering all anti-snap elements, as well as being tested to British Standards.
- Meet insurance purposes. Choosing anti-snap Euro cylinders help to meet insurance requirements and put everyone’s mind at rest that your property is locked to the highest standards
Disadvantages of Euro Locks
- A standard euro lock is prone to snap easily at the weakest point, making the lock easily removable, exposing the cam and the full locking mechanism – leaving doors wide open for intruders to gain full access to your property.
- UPVC doors have more working components to them compared to their wooden counterparts so subsequently more problems can arise due to more wear and tear, as well as doors dropping knocking locks out of sync and UPVC tending to twist and warp!
- Faulty barrels – a not uncommon problem with UPVC. Faulty barrels stop doors from opening for many reasons and can often be a simple job for a professional locksmith to repair. Euro locks sometimes drop their matching over time. For example, a UPVC lock works when you lift the door handle, and the locking components pop out, popping into the holes on the other side of the frame, which then lock into place when you turn the key and release the handle. However, this doesn’t always go to plan, sometimes you might need to use a little extra force to push the locks into place, or maybe you have to lift the handle and what feels like the door to get the locks to match up! If this is the case, then it’s only a matter of time before the lock completely breaks! Before this happens call Durham City Locksmiths, who are trained and qualified to realign door frames, replace cylinders and faulty barrels with ease and avoid any further issues from occurring.
- UPVC handles break. Unfortunately, it’s true. UPVC door handles can snap, stick, or simply hang there offering no use to you at all. In these instances, it’s not only the handle that is broken but also the gearbox itself. Opening the door, without causing further damage, and fitting a new gearbox will solve the problem in no time and have your door working as good as new!
- Keys stuck in locks. Sometimes with euro cylinder locks, keys can become stuck or jammed – turning them back slightly will help to release the pressure on the key and enable you to extract them safely.
Disadvantages do pose issues with Euro locks, but these are disadvantages which Durham City Locksmiths can fix, repair and make as good as new!
We’re renowned UPVC locksmiths throughout Durham and the Northeast, and we can help with all locking situations as and when you need us!
To find out more about Euro and UPVC locks, or if you need a reliable and experienced locksmith in Durham, call us now, we’d be happy to answer your questions.
Locks suitable for wooden doors
The most common type of lock found on wooden or older style doors is a mortise lock.
This style of lock is one which is set within the door itself, rather than being fitted onto the surface of the door, like a Euro lock mentioned above.
Working hand in hand with a latch type mechanism, a mortise lock’s cylinder will have a rotating piece of metal (known as the cam) which manipulates the handles ability to retract the latch and subsequently open and shut the door.
Depending on the type of mortise lock you opt for (sash lock or deadbolt) will rely on its make-up. However, all mortise locks have a unique modular construction, can be taken apart and reassembled with ease, and provide strength and reliability, standing the test of time, even when new locks have come onto the market.
Advantages of mortise locks
- There are two different types of mortise locks to choose from, both offering subtle differences when it comes to the type of locking mechanism and level of security they provide:
- Sash Locks – provide you with peace of mind that when you open a door with a sash lock, you don’t have to worry about it shutting and locking behind you. This is due to these locks having a bolt, latch and a handle for them to work – it also means you don’t have to take your key out with you when you’re just nipping to the car! There are various types of sash locks and a professional locksmith, like the team at Durham City Locksmiths, will be able to advise you on the most suitable ones, as well as what insurance companies require as standard.
- Deadlocks – keep it simple, they have a key and a bolt! Simple in design yet securer than a sash lock as they’re more resistant to entry if the right key isn’t used – a deadlock can’t be opened unless the correct key is turned in the lock. This does, however, mean that if you do quickly nip to the car, or tput the rubbish out, and the door does accidentally close behind you, and you don’t have your key…you will be locked out. It is worth speaking to the experts at Durham City Locksmiths about the pros and cons of both sash locks and deadlocks.
- As mortise locks are built into the door itself, there is reduced wear and tear on the lock and door, as there is less pressure placed on to the hinges, making it much better at load bearing, compared to a Euro lock.
- Mortise locks are also reliable, durable and extremely cost effective. They’re also easy to use and easy to maintain. With fewer compartments than Euro Locks, there is also a reduction in the chances of something going wrong.
- Insurance companies recognise sash locks and deadlocks easily as they have been around for several years. Making insurance easier and premiums better.
- Available in three different types/standards:
- 2 Lever – great for lightweight, timber door hinges, with knobs or spring handles.
- 3 Lever – mainly found on internal doors and low-security applications.
- 5 Lever – offer the highest level of security and will be fitted to timber and wooden doors and frames, found on most modern homes today.
Disadvantages of Mortise Locks
- Not as modern or seen to be as “up to standard” when compared with Euro locks and the level of security these locks can provide.
- Keys no longer work. This could be because the wrong key is being used, or because the key has worn down over time and no longer connects properly with the lock. Or the lock can feel jammed, so the key will no longer work, potentially due to lack of lubrication within the locking mechanism itself.
- New keys cut are not always 100% accurate. This is because mortise locks are very delicate and have been designed to make sure that only the right key is used, and when you start copying keys and copying them again and again, elements and parts can sometimes get missed hence connections with the actual lock no longer work.
- You have to consider other elements of the lock too. With mortise locks and especially sash locks, things like the latch, bolt, and snib are all additional elements which need to be taken into consideration and which can experience problems. For example, in some cases, if they key is not working in the lock it can be because the snib has dropped, and in these instances, you should call a fully qualified locksmith to avoid any further damage to the entire locking system.
- Wooden doors can twist and warp over time. Wood doors are known to suffer their fair share of wear and tear over the years as they are not protected 100% against the elements. Because of this, if your door is knocked out of alignment, even ever so slightly, it will affect a mortise lock, as it relies on the connection built into the door and the frame. If this happens, an experienced locksmith will be able to remove the locks from the door frame and realign them, to the correct position, so that the bolt from the lock is received and security is once again restored!
- Mortise locks don’t offer the highest level of security out there. Mortise locks come in 2,3 and 5 lever style locks. With 2 and 3 lever locks much weaker and hence easier for someone to pick and enter your home. 5 level locks will provide you with the security you need and are available through many well-known brands.
- Older locks come with a smaller bolt for locking, which means if only a little force were applied, it would quite easily break, and someone would have instant access to your property.
- Mortise locks are still a popular choice of lock today, and with often additional security elements added on as extra, they can provide you with the locking mechanism that is best suited to your door type.
- Durham City Locksmiths help to provide the right solutions to you and can advise on where to place 2 and 3 lever mortise locks in comparison to where a 5-lever mortise lock should be used.
Best locks for windows
It’s unfortunate to say out loud but, doors are no longer the only things that need locks on within our homes. Windows do too.
Helping to increase the security of properties as well as make people feel safer and more secure in their home, you will find window locks added to windows now as standard.
When it comes to the types of window locks however there are many to choose from, some suitable for both UPVC and wooden windows and some only apply to particular makes and styles of windows fitted.
Some of the most popular window locks range from locking window handles to locking window stays, snap locks, sliding window locks, child-friendly ventilation locks and more.
Below we’ve outlined a sample of the different types of window locks available on the market currently.
For wooden windows • Sash stops • Sash bolts • Casement Stays • Casement fasteners • Wood casement window locks
For UPVC windows • Swing locks • Window restrictor locks • Sash locks • Sash stoppers • Multipoint locking mechanisms
These are only a handful of the types of window locks available. It is beneficial to know what locks your window comes with and then work out if you require any additional security on top of this. Working with a professional locksmith team will help provide the answers to your questions and put your mind at ease that your window locks are in safe hands.
Advantages of window locks
- Cost-effective and easy to install. If window locks aren’t already included in your window frames as standard or if you would like to add additional locks to your windows, then you can do so knowing that it’s not going to cost you the earth.
- Window locks are designed to be installed across a variety of different windows, making them extremely flexible in their presentation.
- They can provide you with an increased level of security, especially if you have been a victim of a break-in in the past.
- Some window locks allow for windows to be open just enough to let ventilation in, while still being locked from opening further and allowing access to unwanted intruders.
- Window locks offer additional security when children are around. Stopping them from opening windows that they shouldn’t, or indeed opening them further than they should with the increased possibility of accidents happening.
- Window locks are strong, reliable and made by the major lock brands, to last.
- They provide you with a level of security that you can put your mind at rest. Safe in the knowledge that you have done everything you can to protect your home, your belongings and your family.
- To meet insurance requirements window locks with a key are a must (any other type of lock will not be considered insurable).
Disadvantages of window locks
- Broken or faulty mechanism, resulting in locks jamming or sticking. If this is the case then it’s important not to force the lock, as window locks are smaller in size, they are more delicate so that any overzealous force will cause more damage.
- Window frames aren’t aligned correctly. From twisting and warping to expanding and contracting, window frames can often jump out of alignment and with it knock the locking mechanism too. It can often be a simple job to realign the frames as necessary, by adjusting the hinges, to help put locking mechanisms back into place.
- Snapped key in a lock. As mentioned, window locks are much smaller, so keys are that much smaller too, again making them very delicate and much more fragile to handle.
- Key is a bit stiff or needs a bit of manoeuvring to fit into the lock. Check to make sure your key isn’t worn, due to old age, or if the key has been cut, make sure it isn’t a poor copy!
Durham City Locksmiths are pros when it comes to working with all of the different types of window locks available.
Depending on your situation and window type, we will aim to provide you with the best and most appropriate solution, keeping the security of your home top priority.
Have you ever considered a padlock?
Sometimes it’s not always necessary to fit euro locks or mortise locks to sheds and outhouses etc., yet these buildings still require some level of security.
Padlocks are what offer this additional level of security.
Padlocks are detachable and portable locks, which pass through openings and the shackle, the padlock is then clicked together, like a seatbelt firmly holding itself in place, via the small cylinders and pin tumblers it is made up of.
Padlocks work by being fed through a hasp. The hasp is the part of a padlock which is the hinged metal plate screwed and placed onto the side of the shed or fence, etc. The hasp is then secured in place by fitting a loop over it and feeding the padlock through, clocking it shut once done.
Advantages of Padlocks
- Can be used to stop access to a variety of places; back yards, sheds, fields, office storage, off-site facilities, etc
- Padlocks deter someone from going somewhere they shouldn’t or taken something from somewhere that they shouldn’t have access to.
- Padlocks come in a range of different sizes depending on what you need. For example, a heavy-duty padlock might be used on your commercial storage facilities, but a smallholder padlock might be used on your garden gate.
- Padlocks come in a range of styles, such as: Steel, Combination, Brass, Lever, Aluminium, Laminated Steel, Granite.
- Act as a great deterrent, offering the additional level of security you need to put your mind at complete ease.
Disadvantages of Padlocks
- Easy to snap and break (depending on make and model, as well as size and style)
- Hasps can be broken or detached, rendering the padlock useless.
- Keys are quite often lost or snap with the padlock.
- Padlocks, with them being mainly used outdoors, are exposed to the elements, so locks jam and have faults much more often.
Padlocks are growing in popularity for sheds and outhouses etc. throughout Durham, as unfortunately, the number of reports in break-ins in these areas has increased, with things such as bikes, garden furniture and tools all being stolen.
Durham City Locksmiths can help to fit padlocks, as well as provide full security checks of your property identifying what locks would be most suitable and where.
Our team is also on hand for any locksmith emergency, day or night, 24/7.
Types of safes
Continuing to grow in stature and presence is safes. Within the home and most certainly with commercial businesses, safes play a vital role in keeping what we care about so dearly, safe.
Safes are also recognised by most insurance companies now, helping to bring premiums down, as they can help protect against disasters such as floods and fires, etc. Keeping everything, hopefully, intact and completely secure.
Most importantly however, safes keep your most valuable possessions from falling into the wrong hands.
There are different types of safes and brands of safes to choose from. It’s important to make a list of your requirements and to find a safe that ticks all of these boxes. It is also worth speaking to your insurance company for a list of all of their approved safes.
Some of the most popular insurance approved safes include:
• Insafe Guardian
• Chubbsafes HomeStar
• SecuriKey Mini Vaults
• Phoenix Safes Fortress
Advantages of Safes
- Protects valuables such as house deeds, birth certificates, marriage certificates, business contracts, jewellery, pictures, etc.
- Keeps irreplaceable things out of the hands of unwanted criminals.
- Safes can provide you with peace of mind that if you do find yourself victim to a break-in, that you have the additional security for your most valued possessions, acting as a bigger deterrent.
- For businesses confidential papers can be stored, expensive IT equipment, innovations and product patents, petty cash, etc.
- Meets certain insurance requirements and can help lower your insurance premiums (for example, storing high-valued and expensive items in a secure safe, can sometimes be offset against your extra home insurance cost).
- Safes come in a range of different styles, such as: Key lock safes, Freestanding, Digital, Fire resistant, Wall Safes
Disadvantages of Safes
- Safes must be approved before an accurate insurance quote can be provided.
- Can be big and cumbersome, taking up a lot of space within your home.
- If not secured to a wall or floor, for example, could be lifted from your property by a determined burglar.
- Keys can snap and become fiddly to manage with a safe lock. If this happens, don’t force the key further, call a trusted locksmith who specialises in safes. They will be able to remove the key and repair the lock without causing any further damage to your safe.
- Larger safes need to be installed, removed, and disposed of by professionals – it is not as easy as picking your safe and being ready to run with it!
Ultimately, it is about finding and working with a trusted locksmith who specialises in Safes. A team like Durham City Locksmiths.
Helping you with all of your safe needs, we specialise in all safe locks and can help you identify the best brand and type of safe most suitable to you. If you would like to find out more about how we can help you, call our team now on 0191 364 3301. If you are searching for a local locksmith in Hartlepool and all around County Durham, contact Durham City Locksmiths immediately.