What lock system is best for your property?

Whether you’ve recently purchased a new home or you’re looking to tighten the security system on your current property, home safety is always important when protecting your family and belongings. With many different lock systems to choose from it can feel like a challenge to find the one that suits you, however, it’s critical to know which lock is best for your situation to eliminate any points of vulnerability that burglars or vandals could infiltrate. 

When deciding on a lock system it’s important to not only consider the system but also the material of the door it will be housed in. Pairing the correct materials will reduce time when replacing locks and ensure they can be maintained with ease. It’s worth noting when considering a new lock, style shouldn’t be your main priority; some home insurance policies offer discounts for homes with approved lock systems meaning over time your locks could save you money.  

Discover the main types of locks and when you should use them

1. Five lever mortice deadlock. 

Whilst the name might not sound familiar, you’ll have certainly seen this lock before and perhaps you already have one on your door. These are embedded into the door and can only be opened with a key.  

Mortice deadlocks are one of the most common locks to be used on front doors, however these deadlocks come with several lever variations from 2, 3, 5 or 7. Those with 5 or more are British standard approved so if you haven’t already – ensure your door is fitted with the highest level lever to best protect your property. 

The benefits of these locks are that burglars can not smash an adjacent window to open a latch as they would require a key. Similarly if they access your property via a window they can not escape through the door without the use of the key, that is providing you haven’t left the key in the lock on the inside.

2. Key operated multi point locking system

These are often insurance approved lock systems due to their higher level of security as they bolt the door into the door frame. These are increasingly common as they come built into uPVC and composite doors, and therefore aren’t available for all door types. 

To engage the lock on these systems requires lifting the handle up to lock properly, which can often confuse some users. Despite this, this style lock is considered very secure due to the nature of the lock. Top tip, always looks out for the Kitemark standard to protect against picking, drilling, bumping or snapping – these are the most common methods which burglars use to disable locks and break in.

3. Nightlatches and rim locks

These are cylinder locks that are linked to the keyhole on the outside of the door, and means you can secure your home from the inside without the use of the key. However, this style of lock is not considered secure when used as a stand alone lock, the majority of locksmiths would recommend you use these in conjunction with a five lever mortice deadlock for example, these can increase the security of your home and in some cases reduce your insurance policy price. 

4. Window locks

It’s also worth considering high visibility window locks, especially on ground floor or easily accessible windows, such as those near a flat roof or drainpipe. Without the key, unwanted guests would need to smash the window and climb through broken glass rather than opening the window. A window with high visibility locks often prevents thieves from even attempting breaking and entering, potentially saving you and your home from being their next target. 

Additional security measures can be taken with door chains or bars, which are fitted to the inside of the door and prevent access from the outside further improving the safety of your home.Our professional locksmiths at City Locks Norwich are always here for support when considering these choices and whilst the prospect of adding additional locks to your home may seem costly and daunting, you can often recoup the cost in the long run with a reduction in your house insurance premiums due to your improved safety measures. Call us today on 01603 409181 for more information.