Are you trying to figure out which types of door locks and handles are suitable for your home or business? This article gives you an outline of different types of locks and handles you can use on your property. The various security factors help you narrow down to your favorite model. Despite the different types of locks, these are four common types of door locks and handles in the market. For on-campus students, submitting an ASU housing maintenance request is required for any service
Different Lock Mechanisms to Choose From
The different types of door locks and handles include knob locks, padlocks, levers, deadbolts and padlocks.
1. Padlocks
A padlock is not permanent and comes in different ranges of sizes. They are also easy to recognize and come in two common varieties: keyed and combination padlocks. For combination padlocks, a user needs to have a set of numbers if entered correctly they will open the lock. These types of clasps are easy to shim or decode.
Keyed padlocks come in non-re-keyable and rekeyable locks. It's not easy to change the key to non-re-keyable padlocks. Also, the locks can be key retaining, or not. Key-retaining padlocks don't allow the key to be pulled out once you open the lock. Latches with shrouded shoulders make it hard for an intruder to cut your lock.
2. Deadbolts
Deadbolts are mostly on external doors, and they have extra options when compared to padlocks. They are available in three different types: lockable thumb-turn, single and double. For the single cylinder, the lock has a key barrel on the outside, and the inside has a thumb-turn. The lock can easily be opened from the inside if an intruder has access to the thumb-turn.
For the double cylinder, it comes with a key cylinder both in the inside and outside. It makes the door safer but still lowers ease of accessibility. It's a significant risk in the event of an emergency. The lockable thumb-turn is a hybrid of both the single and double cylinder. The thumb-turn located in the inside can easily be locked using a key. If not locked, the deadbolt will operate as a single cylinder lock.
3. Lever Handle Locks
Lever locks are popular on inner doors on commercial buildings. These types of locks are easy to open when compared to knob locks. It has a sizable push down handle which one has to turn once they unlock the door. Its an appropriate lock for enhancing handicap accessibility. Lever locks can be prone to torque attack which makes them give in to the pressure.
4. Knob Locks
These type of locks are installed on the external doors of residential properties. They can be used for extra security when you are using deadbolt locks on doors for security purposes. A knob lock isn't advisable to be used for locking external doors. It's because the cylinder is on the doorknob and not on the door.
Once it's broken off the door using a hammer, you can bypass the door using pliers. When buying the lock, ensure it has the appropriate back set and handedness.
5. Cam Locks
These locks are popular on filing cabinets or mailboxes. They are available in different sizes and can be linked with other locking mechanisms. One opens the lock by rotating it clockwise or vice versa.
6. Euro Profile Cylinders
These locks are usually used on dividing doors or sliding glass door locks and mostly in Europe. You can get them in stores and at different varieties. The exterior length of the lock usually vary, but all the other dimensions are standard.
7. Mortise Locks
Mortise locks are also known as rim locks and are common on commercial or glass doors. You can use the rim cylinders on rim latch locks. The latches are installed inside the door. It has a long metal bar at the back which engages the lock mechanism of the opposite door. Two screws hold the lock at the end of the cylinder.
8. Wall Mounted Locks
The locks are mounted on walls and are common on large business premises. They act as safes for items stored. They also are useful on emergency access locks for regions where the premise keys are stored.
9. Vending Locks
The locks are also known as T-handle locks. They are mostly on vending machines. You can still use them at various locations, and they are easy to replace. Once you open the T-lock, you can pull it out and use a new one. They come in two types: the spring latch and dead latch.
10. Furniture Locks
It's prevalent on desks, cabinets or sliding doors and is supplied in two types. The bolt style has a flat metal which extends to the side to secure the lock. The push button model has a rod which secures the lock in its place.
11. Rim Latch Locks
The lock has a rim cylinder on one side, and the other hand has a surface mount lock. This type of locks can secure the door behind you. They are common in residential houses, and you can use them with other types of locks for extra security.
All In All
From the different types of door locks and handles in this article, you can easily pick out an appropriate type of lock. They offer varying levels of security, and their modes of operation differ. You can still use two types of locks on a single door, depending on the level of protection you need.
