3 Home Security Locks Defined
The best alarm company in Palm Desert knows how to make your home more secure. The first step to home security is a door lock. Home security locks generally fall into three different categories: knob locks, deadbolt locks, and electronic locks. Each type of lock has its own advantages. There are also a bunch of variations within each category. Which one you choose will depend on the specific needs of you and your home.
Knob Locks
There are five main types of knob lock which a desert alarm company can install for you.
The lever tumbler knob lock is regarded as a bad choice for home security, as this is the easiest lock for criminals to pick.
Warded locks provide better home security than lever tumbler locks, as it contains a series of wards which a uniquely shaped key must match. However, these locks are far from the most secure available. Many trained lock-picks can easily get into a warded lock using a skeleton key.
Pin tumbler and wafer tumbler locks are both more difficult to pick, as they contain pins which align with an inserted key. The difference between the two is that wafer tumbler locks’ pins consist of one piece, whereas pin tumbler locks consist of two pieces.
But the most secure type of knob lock is the disc tumbler. This contains rotating discs which make it much more difficult to pick than other knob locks.
Deadbolt Locks
Deadbolt locks are usually used in combination with knob locks to provide added security. There are three main types of deadbolt locks offered by home security providers.
The most common is a single cylinder deadbolt lock. You’ve seen this lock thousands of times – it has a turntable handle inside the door, with a keyhole on the outside.
A double cylinder deadbolt lock provides more security than a single cylinder, as it requires a key to open the deadbolt from the inside. The major drawback is that this means the double cylinder deadbolt lock is sometimes considered a fire hazard. You may need to leave the key in view of visitors in case of emergencies. In some areas, they are outright banned due to the difficulty of opening them in emergency situations.
A vertical deadbolt lock, therefore, might be the best option, as it is more difficult to pry open than a single cylinder deadbolt lock.
Electronic Locks
Electronic locks have been prevalent for a while now, but there are new security features being added all the time as technology progresses. The typical electronic lock you’ve probably seen most often involves entering a unique code. This code unlocks the door, making a key unnecessary. Most systems will have a backup key system in case the code is forgotten.
More advanced electronic smart locks can be opened with smartphones or using facial recognition technology. They can also be activated via a smartphone. This makes it possible to seamlessly enter your unlocked home, without even entering a code.
These are a good option if you have repairman and other temporary visitors coming to your home. Smart locks can be programmed with temporary access codes for short-term visitors. They can also provide you with a view of who’s at the door, providing peace of mind if you get a knock on the door late at night.