Door Locks
From simple deadbolts to full-on security systems
Access control is an issue in every household, and there is a wide range of door locks designed to meet your needs. From keyless security systems to deadbolts, you should familiarize yourself with the many options available to you to choose the best possible product for your home.
Types of Door Locks
Door locks are normally sold in what manufacturers call locksets. Here is an overview of the different types of locksets you should know about:
- Entry locksets. A typical entry lockset features a pair of door knobs that can be locked both from the inside and the outside. Typically, the knob is locked from the inside by turning a small button, while you must unlock the door from the outside with a key.
- Privacy locksets. These locksets are only found on interior doors. A privacy lockset is a common feature in bathrooms, and is a type of lock which does not have a keyed knob, but rather can only be locked and unlocked from the side of the door that's inside the room.
- Passage locksets. The term passage lockset is something of a misnomer, as these doors do not actually lock. Instead, the term itself describes a set of door knobs which is used between rooms where privacy issues do not arise. Though the knobs turn and are fully functional – they just cannot be locked.
- Deadbolts. A deadbolt is the most secure type of door lock. The reason they're called deadbolts is because there are no springs used to activate the bolt itself. You must lock and unlock the deadbolt manually, either from the inside or with a key. Because deadbolts physically lock to the door frames to which they are attached, it is very difficult to pry a deadbolt-locked door open from the outside.
Other Types of Interior Locks
Beyond door locks, it is necessary to fasten windows. Studies show that thieves are just as, if not more, likely to break into your home through a window as they are to break in through a door, usually because windows are less secure.
Window locks are available in numerous styles, just like door locks. Common types of window locks include snap locks, swing locks and stay locks. If you have young children, you might also consider adding child safety locks to your windows for extra protection and security.
