Choosing a door lock yourself is a very difficult task. Only a qualified craftsman can do it correctly. They will assess the material from which the product is made and its weight. They will pay attention to the door: its features and location.
The lock must meet the following requirements: resistance to burglary; reliability; ease of use; service life.
As practice shows, any lock can be opened or broken. The burglary resistance of a lock is assessed by the time spent on breaking it and the level of noise. Accordingly, the better the lock, the more time it will take to open it. During this time, neighbors will notice strangers and call the police. Experts recommend installing either combination locks or two different systems. The methods of breaking into different types of locks vary significantly, and thieves most often specialize in one type.
Electronic locks are gaining popularity. Previously, this type of security was only installed in offices, but now many people are installing electronic locks on the doors of their private properties.
Pay attention to the quality of the door. It is important not only to choose a sturdy door and a reliable lock, but also to install them correctly.
Let’s take a closer look at the types of lock systems:
Cylinder pin lock, cross-shaped. Criminals can break into this type of lock in 1 minute. It can be opened with a simple cross-shaped screwdriver. This type of lock is designed for rooms where there are no valuables. Such a lock on the entrance door will only attract thieves.
Cylinder pin lock (also known as an English lock). Silent opening time – 2-3 minutes. Minimal lock design security. Can be broken into using all known methods, the simplest being key selection. Again, it is better not to install this type of lock on the front door.
Cylinder pin lock (comes with perforated keys or laser-cut keys). It is advisable to purchase an additional device – an armored plate. With it, the opening time will increase to 40 minutes and the noise will be significant. Professionals recommend installing such locks as an addition to the main one. Locks manufactured in Turkey and China are cheaper, but they break much faster than their European counterparts.
If you need a duplicate key, you can only order it if you have an identification card at the service center. For some models, a duplicate can be purchased from the manufacturer.
Cylinder lock (also known as a safe lock). With lock picks, a thief can spend anywhere from 15 to 120 minutes. European manufacturers make this device, which is recommended as an excellent solution for budget doors. These locks have false grooves — “traps” to prevent them from being picked. The disadvantage is that it is easy to make a duplicate key from a mold.
The advantages are reliability, complexity, and durability. Disadvantages: large keys, a lock pick can be found, can only be locked with a key.
Combination locks. Opening time: 60–180 minutes. These locks combine two systems. This type of lock can be double-bit, double-cylinder, or bit and cylinder. They are also divided into independent and dependent (when one system blocks the other). All of them are installed as the main lock under the handle.
Here are the main and most common types of locks. Yes, they can all be broken into, the difference is how long it will take.
For complete security, GROUP Four recommends installing an additional alarm system. Sensors will deter thieves. And if an intruder does decide to break into your house or apartment, the alarm will go off and a rapid response team will be dispatched.
