Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Some Diversity And Functionality Of Door Locks

By Jeremy Pabloccis

Door locks come are available in a diverse array of options and functionality. The choice of which type of lock to select comes down to the type of door and the expected amount of security and privacy. There are trade offs to consider, as well, depending on the lock and the style.

Most locks are focused on entry doors as that is the most important when it comes to security. Entry door locks typically come in two types. One type is attached to the inside of the door and is easy to install. The other type of lock is inserted inside the door itself and latches to the door frame. Obviously, the latter type of locks are more secure. One easy to install lock is the bar lock with readily attaches to the inside of the door and the bar slides into a slot that is also attached to the inside face of the frame. Another common lock style, especially in apartment buildings is the chain locks. Now chain locks have the added benefit of allowing the door to open, depending on the length of the chain while still providing a level of security. However, they are not very secure as the chain can be cut or busted open.

More secure locks are dead bolts. These types of locks require drilling through the door. Dead bolts are similar to the bar lock, but more secure. Another advantage with a dead bolt is that they can be locked from the outside with a key, unlike the bar lock. This can provide an added sense of security when traveling. More common locks are the door knob locks. However, typically many have locks, as those described above, in addition to the standard door knob lock. The knob lock can be locked from the outside with a key and from the inside. Once locked, the knob will be unable to turn until the latch is unlocked.

Locks fashioned for inside the door and door frame are more secure and are available in two types, mortice and tubular. Mortice locks combine a door knob latch with a dead bolt latch in one piece. The mortice comes in one piece and requires drilling on the inside of the width of the door and the frame. Although, they are very secure, they also are hard to install for the do-it-yourselfers. Tubular locks are dissimilar to mortice in that the dead bolt is separate from the door knob latch.

One important factor to keep in mind when deciding which type of lock to use is the door width. A one and three quarters inch is typically a standard door size. However, most mortice locks and tubular locks require at least a two and quarter inch width. A tubular design is much like a mortice lock except that the latch and bolt mechanisms are separate.

Both the mortice and tubular locks can be locked from the outside, as well as the inside. These come in a wide variety of finishes and designs. Aside from security and privacy, function and beauty are perhaps just as important. Mortice locks tend to have more designs and options, given their popularity with most door manufacturers.

In this day and age of technology, there are also keyless doors available. This can be of different types. For example, a mortice lock can also work as a keyless lock depending on its design. Many of these locks either work with a remote or a keypad entry. These types of systems are usually monitored by a security service provider and have that extra service component. Of course, the cost of these systems is a bit higher.

There are also many choices available for interior doors, such as bedrooms and bathrooms. Here the common type of lock is the door knob lock. There are two common mechanisms, the push button or the twist lock. The push button can be popped out from the outside by inserting a pin through the pin hole in the knob. The twist ones can usually be jimmied with a credit card. This is important because if a child or elderly person get injured, then one can readily unlock the door without having to cause destruction. Hence, there are many factors to consider when deciding on the type and style of locks, including beauty and design.

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