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Your Guide to Different Types of Locks

While locks may seem simple, they are the foundation of any property’s security protection. You may not be aware that all locks are not created equal. There are many different locks with different strengths and weaknesses, and therefore different uses. If you’re overwhelmed by all of the options and not sure of which ones are best for your residential or commercial property in Anderson, South Carolina, the advice of a professional locksmith can be invaluable. Locksmiths can not only recommend which type of locks would be best for your property but also other helpful upgrades that you may benefit from.

 

Basic Locks

Knob & Lever Locks

Knob and lever locks are the most commonly found locks on residential and commercial properties of all varieties, especially on internal doors. That’s because they’re cheap to install and easy to operate. Most knob and lever locks work via a spring-loaded lock mechanism that is installed inside of the door but not the frame. While these work to hold a door shut, they are inadequate when it comes to actually securing an area. Whether they have a pinhole or key slot on the outside, the mechanism in these locks is vulnerable to lock picking and bumping. Most knob locks are not very secure, although there are higher security knob locks that have a more complicated internal mechanism than traditional ones.

Deadbolts

Deadbolts are the next step up when it comes to foundational security for most properties. Experts in security, including professional locksmiths, strongly recommend that exterior doors never have a spring-loaded lock without an accompanying deadbolt lock. It’s too easy for a criminal to jimmy a spring-loaded lock, for example with a butter knife, or simply knock the lock off with a hammer. Deadbolts are a relatively inexpensive way to increase your security. There are three main types of deadbolt locks.

Padlocks

Padlocks are among the only type of removable lock. That’s makes them convenient for temporary applications and portability. All padlocks feature a shackle that fits onto the area being locked up, which then connects back into the padlock’s body. Padlocks can be either keyed or have a combination dial. Of the keyed variety, there are two main forms: those that can be rekeyed and those that can’t. If you’re not familiar with rekeying, it’s when a locksmith takes apart the lock mechanism and rearranges the pins inside to fit a new key instead of the old one.

Padlocks provide a level of basic security, but aren’t recommended for use with anything that needs strong protection. Padlocks can be cut off with bolt cutters or drills, and keyed padlocks can be lock picked. It’s recommended that the padlock you choose have the shortest possible shackle length to fit onto the area you’re locking up, to discourage these tampering attempts.

Mortise Locks

Mortise locks are found on the doors of businesses and some apartments. They involve a pocket, called a mortise, that is cut into the door so that the lock can be fitted inside. Mortise locks have been around for many years, and are often found on older buildings. However, they have seen a recent resurgence, especially for commercial properties. Rim locks are similar to mortise locks but they feature a mechanism that is on the outside of the door in question.

Advanced Security Locks

Keypad Locks

Most keypad locks feature a manual entry, numeric keypad, although some businesses may have digital keypads. Usually this type of lock uses a short pin number to operate the lock instead of a key. Some types of keypads may have additional features such as a lockout timer if the wrong pin is attempted on multiple occasions.

Electronic Locks

Electronic locks have been common on commercial properties for many years, but have been gaining popularity in recent years as they’ve become more affordable and accessible. While they do cost more than traditional locks, they offer a much higher level of security. Some electronic locks are outfitted with more sophisticated access control features which allow you to track every time that entry point is used and also restrict access.

Key Card Readers

Card keys have been a staple of the hotel and medical industries for many decades, in part due to their highly effective access control capabilities and inexpensive duplication of the cards. If you have a business that involves a high turnover rate, especially if you have many employees and different parts of your building need to be effectively restricted from unauthorized access, you may consider install a card key reader system.

Smart Locks

Smart locks have gained a significant amount of attention and popularity in recent years as part of the range of technological “smart” products, offering innovative, technologically advanced solutions. Smart locks usually involve a range of features, including the ability to lock and unlock your doors remotely, monitor your property, and even sound an alarm if unauthorized access is attempted. Smart locks are usually controlled using your smartphone. This type of locks gives you a great deal of control over the security of your property, which makes them the wave of the future when it comes to locks.

Biometric Locks

Biometric locks utilize physical data, mostly commonly fingerprints, to unlock the door instead of a key or pin number. Biometric locks are some of the most technologically advanced lock types on the market and are usually reserved for high security commercial and government properties.

When it comes to having your locks installed, replaced, or upgraded, the best choice for professional services in Anderson, SC is 24 Hour Anderson Locksmith. Improving the security of your Anderson home or business doesn’t have to seem impossible. The right professional locksmith team will become your partner in security to help you determine the right locks that fit your individual needs, budget, and security goals. We hope this simple guide has given you useful information to help you determine which locks are appropriate for your property. The proper locks can greatly increase your property’s protection no matter your budget.

 

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