There are several front door lock types that you’ll see in properties across the UK. Each one plays a unique and significant role in keeping your door secure so that your home can remain a safe space for you and your family.
Understanding the lock types available and the locking mechanism for each one enables you to source new or different door locks and manage your home security more proactively.In this guide, you’ll learn about the more common door lock types and exactly how they work to protect your home. You’ll understand the security systems and features of your current door, and how to sensibly invest in other measures and upgrades to cover any weaknesses you find. You can also find answers to questions such as ‘how do you open a uPVC door when the uPVC door won’t open?‘ We compare each market-leading locking system, so you can choose the best one for your home’s security, giving you and your family complete peace of mind
Should I Replace My Front Door Locks?
The benefits of adding new locks to external doors are truly invaluable. Many older doors and security systems degrade over time, weakening your home’s protection. Plus, a new door lock with enhanced features and innovations could keep your home even safer.
Intruders target old locks and locks with signs of wear and tear. Getting new front door locks lets you take back control of your home’s security. However, the choice of locks on the market is quite overwhelming.
We look at the leading locks in this article, but there are even more on the market that can make your front door just that bit more secure with their innovative solutions and robust manufacturing. Each design provides reassurance and peace of mind with features like multiple locking points or a self-locking mechanism that locks the door when you forget. You could also consider fitting a double lock or key-operated security bolts to your existing external doors for added reassurance.
Investing in new locks is always money well spent, but it’s vital to ensure you select the one that best suits your front door.
How Much Does A Front Door Lock Cost?
The costs for different types of door locks can vary depending on several factors. The cost of changing a front door lock can range from £85 to £115 for a more complicated lock, such as a 5-lever mortice deadlock or a product with a multi-point locking system. Think of it as an investment—it’s money well spent. Not only will you be making your home safer, but you’ll also have peace of mind, and you can’t put a price on that.
One thing you may not have considered is that there are regulations that your new locks must comply with.
British Standards regulations govern front door lock installation. If you live in a house, always check your locks conform to BS3621 rules, or BS8621 rules if you live in a home with one exit (like an apartment or flat). Once you find your locksmith, they’ll ensure your new lock conforms to BS standards.
Other things to consider when totting up the cost of a front door lock are your locksmith’s charges and any travel costs they may incur to get to you. Obviously, these are cheaper if you choose a local installer.
Once you find your locksmith, they’ll ensure your new lock conforms to BS standards, and they’ll make sure you get a tested locking system.
Front Door Lock Types and Other Door Locks for Your Home
Padlocks
Padlocks are unique in that they are the only locks that don’t attach to anything else. This makes padlocks both portable and flexible; you can use them for internal doors and exterior doors, provided they have something to attach to, and for various other purposes.
As a front door lock type, padlocks offer brilliant security for your home. You can buy them in either the combination or keyed styles. An intruder could decode a combination lock. However, you can re-key keyed padlocks to maintain a high level of security.
To avoid possible compromise, always invest in a padlock with a shrouded shackle, which raises the shoulders, making it harder to break with bolt cutters.
Deadbolts
Deadbolts are a classic system for front doors. There are three main varieties: single, double, and lockable thumb turns.
Single thumb turns provide extra security, but intruders can open them from the inside if they can find another way into your home. The double style locks the door from the inside to counter this, but it does mean that you’d have to unlock the door every time you want to leave your home.
A lockable thumb turn design lets you lock the deadbolt as you choose. That means you can leave it unlocked when you’re at home, but the deadbolt will automatically lock itself when you close the door, regardless of whether there is anyone inside. A lockable thumb turn allows you maximum flexibility and security in your home, so you can control who gets to enter your living space.
Knob Locks
Knob locks usually work as a secondary security measure to a deadbolt. However, knob locks can sometimes be seen as the main option in some security systems.
If you have a front door that relies on knob locks for its security, then its highly advisable that you replace them with other systems. That’s because the lock cylinder lies inside the lock itself, and not in the door. A better option is to replace them with simple passage knobs, which provide similar levels of security but the lock is contained inside the door. This means intruders won’t be able to break them using a hammer or a wrench which they can do quickly with knob locks to gain entry into your home with ease.
Lever Handle Locks
Lever handle locks are much easier to use than knob locks and can secure your door more effectively. They have a large lever you push down to open, making your doors accessible even for those with physical impairments or disabilities. Their durable design and solid materials also ensure your door stays closed when you need it to.
One drawback of lever locks is that they can be the target of torque attacks. A torque attack occurs when an intruder applies excessive force to the lever in the hope of breaking the lock. It’s possible to counter this by installing a clutch lever. These turn without putting pressure on the lock and make your door more resistant to forced entry.
Cam Locks
Cam locks are a security system with an incredible amount of choice. There are an almost endless number of cam systems on offer, with several different lengths and tailpieces (the “cams” themselves) that link up with another locking system.
Cam locks are popular on filing cabinets and lower security applications, but could work well as added protection to the existing lock on your front door. You can be specific about how you want your cam lock to function. They can tilt between 90 and 180 degrees to unlock, and you can select them to twist in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
As a secondary option for your front door, they put a little more between you and potential intruders.
Rim or Mortise Locks
Rim locks and mortise locks offer superior and similar security advantages, but they differ greatly in their design.
Rim cylinder locks are ideally suited for rim latch locks, which work on the inside of the door. Two screws connect the back of the cylinder to the frame, while a long, extended metal piece runs through the door into a locking mechanism on the other side.
Mortise cylinder locks, on the other hand, actually screw into the mortise hardware in your front door. They use cams to make the locking hardware work, and you can get a similar variety of cams for mortise locks, just as with cam locks.
Euro Cylinder Locks
Incredibly popular in Europe and worldwide, Euro Cylinder Locks, also called Euro Profile Cylinders, run through the door and use a single screw to stay in place. This sleek and discreet design has a very high security performance, helping your door retain its strength against unwanted visitors.
These designs come in several styles, including the single and double cylinder varieties. You can even add a thumb turn to the cylinder, much like with a deadbolt.
Because there’s only one attachment point, some Euro Profile cylinders can break off the door if put under pressure. However, if you instruct an expert locksmith, they will be able to install a tested and reinforced cylinder, reducing that risk considerably.
Wall-Mounted Locks
Wall-mounted locks allow you to add boxes to your walls, connecting them using a locking system. They’re ideal for creating discreet deposits or safes, with the Knox-Box and fireman’s box styles being particularly popular.
While they may not directly improve your front door’s security, they can act as a reliable place to put spare keys in case you lose your main set, avoiding an expensive callout from a locksmith.
By installing a deposit box on top of your door or adjacent to it with a wall-mounted lock, you can ensure that you don’t get left out in the cold. The boxes are secure, so no one else can get into them. Working with a trusted locksmith, you can add alarm sensors to wall-mounted locks that’ll trip at the first sign of tampering, stopping intruders in their tracks.
Interchangeable Core Cylinders
Interchangeable core, or I/C, cylinders are among the most advanced locks on the market today. They’re prominent in businesses and large offices where security and privacy are paramount.
One significant benefit of these designs is that you can re-key the lock without having to take the lock apart. Instead, you can swap the core out with ease, meaning you can change your home’s security to keep intruders guessing.
However, you won’t be able to fit them if your door isn’t compatible with the locks. Additionally, you can’t install I/C cylinders in standard deadbolts, so it’s wise to check what features you have in your door before making your decision, or take advice from a professional locksmith.
Furniture Locks
Furniture locks are flexible locking systems that fit inside drawers, desks, and sliding doors. You can also install them onto other pieces of hardware that don’t have locks, giving them a new layer of protection.
Furniture locks can be a useful addition to your front door. There are two types of furniture locks: the bolt and push-button styles. The push-button style is more suited to doors, as it uses a rod that comes out of the back. On your entrance door, you could push this through the design to secure it at both ends. Consequently, furniture locks can be a worthwhile addition.
T-Handle Locks
T-Handle locks are most common in vending machines. However, they have some functional elements that can make them suitable as a front door lock type.
T-handles use a single-cylinder design and look similar to a Euro Profile lock. Their strength comes from their durable materials and robust latches. There are two types of T-handle locks, each with a slightly different function. The spring latch locks the device without a key, while a dead latch requires one, providing an extra layer of protection.
They’re incredibly easy to replace, as you pull the entire lock out seamlessly when you open the device.
Jemmy Proof Deadbolts
Jemmy-proof deadbolts are increasingly popular in apartments because you can install them without having to make significant changes to the current door or door frame. Jemmy means someone trying to force open the door using a crowbar or something similar.
You only need to drill a hole through the door to fit the rim cylinder, and if you already have one of these systems, replacing the cylinder on its own can improve security significantly. The innovative design works by interlocking with the jamb bracket. The deadbolt locks the jamb bracket in place so unwanted visitors can’t pull the bolt apart or break it with excessive force using a piece of metal. As a result, it’s an excellent option for securing your door that provides minimal disruption. For an apartment door, you should also make sure the bolt conforms to BS8621 regulations.
Rim Latch Locks
A rim latch lock is a great option if you’re looking for a secondary lock to protect your door.
Rim latch locks use custom rim cylinders and surface mounts on each side, but they are unable to deal with too much force. As a result, these designs work best as secondary security options, with something more heavy-duty leading the way.
Rim latch locks auto-lock the door behind you when you leave, a feature that watches your back if you forget to do it yourself. This makes them incredibly useful in apartment complexes, where there’s less distance between homes and more time for opportunists to gain access.
Key In Knob (KIK) Cylinder Locks
KIK cylinders are a subtle feature at the heart of many other locking systems, such as some deadbolts, lever locks and knobs.
Your lock will conceal the KIK cylinder, with only the circular front visible from the outside. Add a discrete cylinder to your existing locks, and intruders will struggle to find and tamper with them.
However, one disadvantage of the KIK cylinder is that there are no standard specifications for the design. Because of this, you need to be careful when replacing them, as different KIKs may have variable dimensions, meaning they won’t fit into your door’s existing locks.
Changing Your Locks? Key Points to Consider
- Some locks work better with uPVC doors or composite doors. If you have a wooden door, you may need a different lock better suited to a timber door and frame. Traditional timber doors usually require at least two locks, one of which must be operated with a key to meet BC3621 insurance requirements.
- Do you want a key locking handle, a key-operated multi-point locking system, or a front door that locks automatically? uPVC doors and composite doors usually have a multi-point locking system, which is activated by lifting the handle, but other options can be found depending on your preference.
- Different locks offer different levels of security. Try and match the locking mechanism with the level of security you need. This can depend on where you live, local crime rates, and how much protection you think your home needs. You can also choose a locking system with registered keys, which cannot be replicated without your permission
- Convenience is a big consideration when changing your locks; new systems offer smart locks to avoid manually locking doors and looking after keys, as with traditional locks. A good automatic locking option is a deadbolt that engages without using a thumbturn or lifting a handle. Key-alike locks allow one key to open multiple locks on the same or different doors.
- Style is a consideration; different types of door locks suit different properties and are available in a wide range of designs and finishes to match your home’s age and architecture. A mortice lock is a traditional lock on a period home, but a more modern property might suit a key locking handle, which is commonly found on uPVC doors and aluminium doors.
- Check that there is a warranty on the lock and how long it is covered for.
High Security Front Door Prices
Upgrading the security of your home should always be a priority, but if you’re changing your doors and windows, it makes sense to take advantage of the latest high-security designs, which have a multi-point locking system built into the unit. This applies to internal and external doors.
For high-security front doors that use a range of front door lock types, use Double Glazing On The Web’s unique services today. Using our front door cost calculator, you can get a free, online quote for a high-security replacement door. These designs offer more locking points than other alternatives and all feature a multipoint locking system to keep your home secure, protecting what matters most to you.
Upgrade your security today and find out how much you could save by getting in touch with Double Glazing On The Web today.
