Locks play a vital role in the security of our homes. However, with so many types of lock names available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for our needs. To do so, let's take a look at what types of locks exist, what their differences are, and how to choose them.
Locks for wooden doors
Wooden door locks are designed with the thickness of the door and the security of the door in mind. In addition, they are usually some type of mortise locks , meaning they are installed on the inside of the door and are not visible from the outside. This provides an aesthetic appearance and prevents the lock from being an easy target for intruders, especially in some types of older wooden door locks.
In addition, depending on the characteristics of the door and your needs, the lock may have:
1. Various types of closure: such as the pill closure, the bolt closure or the anti-panic closure.
2. Different keyhole profiles: there may be various cylinder shapes such as europrofile (pear), gorge, round or oval. In addition, depending on the security of the cylinder, it will have different types of lock keys .
3. We can also choose the shape of the lock edge: round edge or straight edge.
4. Finally, (AND MOST IMPORTANTLY) you will have to take into account the distance between the axes – distance from the centre of the handle square to the centre of the keyhole –; as well as the backset – distance from the profile of the lock to the centre of the keyhole –. With these measurements clear, you will know how to choose the correct lock .
Electric locks
One of the main features of electric locks is that they allow remote keyless door opening at the push of a button (doorphone or switch opening). This provides convenience and eliminates the need to carry physical keys. Additionally, many types of electric locks allow you to keep track of who enters the property and when. They are generally very resistant to tampering and also have the ability to automatically lock after the door is closed, providing an additional level of security.
Electric strikes must always be connected to a power outlet and attached to a normal lock for either wooden or metal doors.
Invisible locks
Invisible locks are a type of security lock that is installed on the inside of the door, making them virtually undetectable from the outside. In recent years, sales of this type of lock have skyrocketed due to their great resistance to external attacks and their ability to go unnoticed: the main characteristic of invisible locks is their hidden installation. These locks are placed on the inside of the door, out of sight of the intruder, and can be unlocked using a wireless remote control or smartphone. They are usually easy to install and are designed to be robust and durable, ideal for holiday periods. We recommend this type of lock as an ideal solution to increase the security of the doors in your home.
Surface mounted locks
Mortise locks are a type of lock that is installed on the surface of the door, rather than being recessed into it. Their cylinder is visible from the outside, which can act as a deterrent to potential intruders. In this way, they provide an additional security element by providing an extra layer of protection for those doors that are vulnerable to attack. In addition, they are usually very versatile because they can be installed on a wide variety of doors such as metal or PVC. This type of lock is not very common but can sometimes become the ideal solution to block access to your home/office/barn.
Metal door locks
These types of locks have specific features designed to adapt to metal or PVC doors with narrow frames, and there are even various types of locks for aluminium doors. Locks for metal doors are made of resistant materials, such as stainless steel or combined alloys, which allow them to withstand continuous use and cope with attempts at manipulation or force. In addition, it is important to bear in mind that they are usually installed with short cam cylinders as well as having a smaller keyhole (distance from the profile of the lock to the centre of the keyhole) than locks for wooden doors.
Glass door locks
Glass door locks are designed to be installed without the need to drill or damage the glass. They use special clamping systems, clamps or adhesives that hold the lock in place without compromising the integrity of the glass. Since glass doors are more fragile compared to other materials, glass door locks usually have soft-closing mechanisms. In addition, the thickness of the glass door can vary depending on the type of lock and its design, although it is true that the thickness of these doors usually ranges between 8 mm and 12 mm, which means that there are different types of glass door locks depending on the thickness of the glass.
Multipoint locks
Multipoint locks are security devices that are installed on reinforced or armoured entrance doors. These locks usually have 3 or 5 locking or anchoring points, and can be surface-mounted locks (with a Z-shaped profile) or mortise locks (with a U-shaped profile). When the key is turned, the door closes hermetically along the entire side profile of the door and even at the top and bottom of it. The locking points in a multipoint lock can be: hooks, rollers, bolts and latches, depending on the design of the lock and its degree of security.
Anti-bumping locks or anti-bumping cylinder
Anti-bumping locks are locks specifically designed to resist the bumping method: a technique commonly used by intruders to open locks non-destructively. These cylinders have a special design that makes it difficult to use bumping keys, which are used to open pin cylinder locks without damaging them or leaving traces of manipulation. In addition, there are different types of anti-bumping lock cylinders , some of which have additional pins or discs to provide greater resistance to possible attacks.
Electronic door handles
Electronic door handles or electronic locks are security systems that use electronic technology to control and manage access to a door. In this way, they allow keyless access and remote control of the lock. They allow programming of various access codes, either temporary or permanent, and can be integrated with home security systems, allowing for more centralized control.
Types of security locks
Deadbolts are characterized by being a highly secure element that complements the door cylinder. They are resistant to bumping, lock picking and drilling. There are different types of deadbolts with numerous ways of opening from the inside: with a key, a button or a thumbturn. From the outside you will always need a key. A recommended practice is to buy the cylinder and the deadbolt with the same keys to be able to lock and unlock both elements (deadbolt and cylinder) easily.
As you can see, there are many types of locks for our homes. Although it is true, the locks mentioned above do not refer to all types of locks that exist. Along with this wide variety of locks and deadbolts, there is also a wide variety of handles with locks, knobs with locks and even various types of locks for garage doors, as well as various types of locks for bathroom doors or for furniture. These are also security elements although they do not offer the same protection as the locks already presented.
We always recommend opting for quality security and giving your home a high level of protection.
