How to choose a lock for the front door: types, security, manufacturers

Even the strongest and most reliable entrance door is not able to provide the expected security level and protection without an appropriate lock. Strong steel and flimsy wooden doors become equally vulnerable to intruders if they have a weak lock. So, what kind of lock should you choose for your own apartment, so that it is under reliable protection, which mechanism should be preferred, and which manufacturers are considered leaders in this area?

Lock mechanisms

Cylinder locks

A cylinder lock is a common and popular option, but nevertheless this is not the best solution for the front door, because it is often not difficult for a more or less experienced thief to crack or break this mechanism. Principle of operation This type of lock consists in the fact that small cylinders inside the mechanism line up at a certain height. That is why it is believed that with the help of master keys such locks are difficult to open, because if at least one element does not match, the mechanism will completely jam. But there is another way to open such a castle, and it is very well known by attackers: several strong blows to the “larva” of the castle will allow it to be knocked out inside the room. Preventing such a course of events, you need to choose cylinder lock with extra protection. It can be armored pads or balls inside the mechanism. The pads will not allow the castle to be knocked out, and the balls will become a reliable barrier if thieves simply decide to drill it.

Cylinder locks easy to operate, and their replacement will also not cause trouble. Even if the keys were lost, you do not have to completely change the entire lock, which is problematic. It is enough just to replace the core, and the castle will continue to reliably protect the apartment. Based on the combination of distinctive properties of this type of locks, we can conclude that this a good option for the entrance door of the apartment, only attention must be paid to mechanisms with additional protection.

Crossbars

Crossbars - the simplest mechanisms with a minimum level of protectionwhich makes them not very suitable for the front door. The keys to such locks are familiar to many of us: they are flat, and on both sides there are grooves that exactly match the grooves on the lock bolt. To open or close the lock, the key moves the crossbar. Such mechanisms, in addition, are often equipped with a handle that is designed to be unlocked from the inside, but such additional convenience may ultimately turn out not very well for the owner of the apartment. Thanks to such handles, crackers, using only a fishing line and a hollow tube, can open the lock.

The key to such locks is not very convenient: not only is it heavy, it is also very easy to copy it. Crossbar lock - very unreliable protection for the front door, and will not be able to provide sufficient security to the owners and their property. Such a lock cannot be used as an independent element, but paired with another type of lock still has a right to exist.

Level locks

The level castle was invented at the beginning of the XIX century, but it is still very popular, and for the front door will be perhaps the best option. The keys have the shape of a round long rod, on the end of which on one or both sides there are plates with a certain configuration and size of the grooves. When the key enters the lock, it is these recesses that bring the levers or lock plates to action. There may be a different number of such levers, but reliable protection is provided if there are at least six of them. Even if only one of the plates did not take the desired position, the lock can no longer be opened, therefore picking a master key is very difficult.

This type of castle hard to break and with the help of physical force, since among all other mechanisms they have the best anti-vandal properties. In addition, lever locks can also armored, which further increase the level of security, providing reliable protection of the front door. True, if the keys are forgotten in the apartment or completely lost, then opening the doors with such a lock is not an easy process, but this can hardly be considered a minus, because this fact serves as an additional confirmation of the reliability of the lock. Another inconvenience that you have to put up with is the need to close the door on both sides with just a key, and this is not always and not convenient for everyone.

Electronic locks

Electronic locks are not the worst option for the front door, and in some cases even very attractive and reliable. Such mechanisms have appeared on the market relatively recently and still very expensiveTherefore, not everyone can afford such protection. They are not very common and not often found, and therefore most attackers simply don’t know how to open such a lock: Having seen such a mechanism, many thieves will simply abandon attempts to illegally enter the apartment, which, in fact, must be achieved.

There are no keys to the electronic lock in the traditional sense of the word. It can be opened using a code, remote control, card, or even a fingerprint. By the way, the latter option is the least preferred, since in this case the lock is very easy to open if you simply attach a photo of the owner’s finger to the photocell, where all papillary lines are clearly visible.

In addition, many electronic locks can control using applications on a smartphone or computer, and this is a unique opportunity that is not available to other types of mechanisms. All this makes the electronic lock a very good option for the front door.

Combination locks

Combination locks are best option for front door, since opening it will be very difficult. In this case, there are two mechanisms in one lock: there are two-lever, two-cylinder and lever-cylinder locks. At the same time, both mechanisms can work independently of each other, and can be supplemented, which is much better. In this case, when you try to open the first mechanism, the second will be blocked, and the thief will not be able to get inside the room. In any case, breaking such a lock is very difficult, because each system will need its own “approach”.

An excellent alternative to combination locks is to use on the front door two locks of different types, and it is better if it is cylinder and level, and with protective pads. In this case, the home also receives an excellent degree of protection.

Locks by installation method

According to the installation method, the locks on the entrance doors can be of the following types:

• mortise;
• waybills;
• mounted.

Mortise locks for the front door - the best option. The name itself gives out the fact that the mechanism is built into the door leaf, so the appearance of the door does not suffer. In operation, such locks are simple, but repair work is often complicated, as they will require the help of professionals. Too powerful mortise locks can slightly weaken the strength of the door leaf, but not so much contribution. This is a kind of mortise mechanisms, but in this case the lock is installed in a specially prepared pocket steel doors. The result - the strength characteristics practically do not decrease, for attackers the lock becomes even more difficult to crack, and in terms of repair, inset mechanisms are easier.

Overhead locks very easy to install, mounted on the inside of the front door, and a hole is made in the door leaf for the location of the privacy mechanism and the passage of the key. Such locks are easy to repair and change, they do not weaken the door leaf, but in terms of strength they are inferior to mortise ones, so they can only be used in combination with them.

Padlocks not suitable for entrance doors to the apartment, but can be used as an auxiliary element when locks of other types are installed. For their functioning, it is necessary to install hinges on the door leaf and box, into which the lock handle will be inserted. Padlocks can be automatic if closed without a key, or non-automatic. This option can often be found on the doors of cellars, cellars, shedsgate or gate.

Lock Security Classes

All locks are divided into security classes, depending on how easy it is to crack. Naturally, for the entrance doors it is better to select mechanisms of the highest possible class.

Security class locks can be as follows:

• 1 class. These are the most common serial locks, often with a bolt mechanism. They will not be a reliable barrier for crackers, and it is better not to install them on the front door, because even a novice thief will open such a lock in 5 minutes;
• 2nd grade. This lock is already more powerful and strong than the previous one, but still it is not entirely reliable resistance, since an experienced thief will spend about 10 minutes opening it, but a beginner is unlikely to be able to open such a lock;
• 3rd grade. Such locks will become a good defense of the front door and home, and it will take the professional at least 20 minutes to crack them, and this is a decent period during which it is almost impossible to go unnoticed.
• 4th grade. The most reliable and powerful locks, which are very difficult to open. Even specialists in this matter will need at least 30 minutes, and this is in the presence of all the necessary tools.

The safety class must be indicated in the passport of the lock. And if the locks of the first class are not subject to mandatory certification, then for other products must be available certificate of conformitywhere the main characteristics of the mechanism, such asreliability, cracking resistance and durability. In addition to all the necessary documents, it is important to pay attention to the castle itself, since defects on it or rust streaks do not indicate its high quality.

When choosing a castle is also necessary build on the door designmore precisely on how thick the steel sheets of the door frame are. So, if their thickness is less than 4 mm, then a massive lock will not be the best option in this case, because it will deform the door. If the door is not very thick and powerful, then massive locks that can be moved apart in two or even four directions are also not an option, because when the door is constantly in contact, the door leaf will wear out a lot.

Top lock manufacturers

The name of the manufacturer can say a lot about the product and its quality. Locks for entrance doors are no exception, and companies that have proven themselves in the high quality of their products, reliability and durability are featured in this market. Which of them should you pay attention to when choosing a castle?

1. Cisa (Chiza) Is a company founded about 90 years ago in Italy. Today it is the European and world leader in the manufacture of locks and control systems. At the moment, the company's products are represented in more than 70 countries, the range includes more than 30,000 items, all products undergo mandatory certification and meet all European quality standards.Among other things, the manufacturer offers a huge selection of a variety of locks for any type of door, as well as electronic locks, which are still not in the range of every, even large, manufacturer. Moreover, the company developed and was the first in the world to use smart card locks, introducing users to a new level of security. All locks are protected from strong blows, with which the door can be opened without breaking. The manufacturer offers a huge selection of a variety of locks for entrance doors, and the range is constantly growing, as its own research center is working on improving technologies. I am glad that the company's products are widely represented in the domestic market, and you can choose an option for any budget.
2. Mottura Is another Italian company that has existed for over 50 years. She specializes in the manufacture of locks and various accessories for them. The range includes locks of varying complexity and varying degrees of security, so everyone will be able to choose the product that best meets the requirements, especially since the products are widely represented in Russia. The manufacturer carries out quality control at each stage of manufacture, which allowed to pass ISO certification. The company also offers double locks made using its own technology. In addition, My Key technology is also used, which makes it impossible to copy keys. Also in the range there are modern electronic locks, so there will be plenty to choose from.
3. Abus - A German company that specializes in the production of locks, incl. for entrance doors. Products have been presented on the market since 1924, conquered many countries of the world thanks to their innovations and high quality products. Great attention is paid to research and new developments, and the famous U-shaped lock was invented precisely within the walls of this company. For entrance doors, the company offers powerful modern mortise locks and armored plates.
4. Mul-t-lock - Israeli castles, which are known worldwide for their reliability and high quality. They are considered one of the best, so they have gained wide popularity. The company has existed since 1973, and has always pursued the main goal - to make the most secure locks that are impossible to crack. The assortment includes cylinder locks, level and level anti-vandal locks, and the manufacturer uses its own research to create the most reliable mechanisms.
5. Kale - Turkish-made castles that are well known to domestic customers due to their high quality and affordable price. The manufacturer’s assortment contains all the most popular types of locks, including cylinder and combination levers, as well as padlocks, locks for different types of doors and accessories for them.
6. Titan - Slovenian company for the production of locks, which offers high-quality and inexpensive mechanisms. A huge part of the company's assortment consists of locks for entrance doors, which are represented by different types of mechanisms, with or without additional protection. The company's products are widely represented in the Russian market.

In conclusion

Choosing a lock for the front door is a very responsible matter, and there is no place for savings, because even a powerful steel door will not protect against breaking if, for example, a simple bolt lock is installed. Before buying, it is better to decide which mechanism is best suited, familiarize yourself with the pricing policy, and be sure to ask the seller for all the necessary documentation, and then the house will be safe.