Whether you’re looking to replace your locks, upgrade your security, or simply learn more information about locks and keys for whatever reason, our locksmith pros at My Top Locksmith, LLC of Sandy Springs, Georgia have compiled this handle list of common lock and key varieties. The designated categories for these locks are not set in stone, as there is quite a bit of overlap between the two. For example, many businesses use lever handle locks or padlocks, but we’ve listed them under the residential category. We hope this guide helps you learn the information that you’re looking for. Remember, you can always call our 24/7 locksmith service line for additional assistance.
Locks form the basis of any home’s security. No matter how fancy that motion-activated camera or alarm system you were talked into cost, it won’t be nearly as effective at protected your home as it should be if your locks are in poor condition.
- Knob Locks: Knob locks are extremely common and can be found on most internal and external doors on homes across Georgia. Knob locks feature a spring-loaded lock mechanism to hold the door shut, and usually have a keyhole on the exterior and a thumb-turn lever or similar mechanism on the inside. Knob locks are not very secure against crime but do hold the door shut, making them ideal for internal locks inside homes for privacy.
- Deadbolts: Deadbolts can be found on nearly every residential front door in Illinois. And for good reason. Deadbolts are inexpensive way to increase home security against brute force attacks. There are two main types of deadbolts: single cylinder deadbolts and double cylinder deadbolts. Single cylinder deadbolts use the thumb turn lock on the inside and the key cylinder on the outside. The lock can be opened and closed using the thumb turn mechanism by the homeowner. This makes single cylinder deadbolts the ideal choice for most homes due to the ability to easily operate these locks during an emergency. Double-cylinder deadbolts feature a keyhole on the inside and outside and while are more secure, are also more potentially dangerous.
- Padlocks: Padlocks are unique in that they’re one of the only types of freestanding lock available. Most locks are fixed in place, but padlocks can be used for many applications and removed when they’re no longer needed. Padlocks can come in both keyed and combination varieties. Keyed padlocks may have the ability to be “rekeyed,” meaning a locksmith can take apart the lock mechanism and rearrange the tumblers to fit another key. This is useful if you use your key or simply want to change the lock configuration.
- 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.
Exceptional locks are an integral part of any business’s security plan. If you’re a business owner, then you know how much of your time and energy pours into protecting your business assets, employees, and customer data from harm. In recent years, exciting advancements in commercial security has brought the cost of protection down while increasing your options exponentially. Businesses are choosing to take advantage of these new systems.
- Keypad Locks: Keypad locks may feature a physical keypad or a digital screen and operate using an electric current or battery.
- Lever Handle Locks: Lever locks work much the same way as knob locks, except they feature a lever instead of a knob. As such, they are easier to operate for people with physical disabilities, and are more commonly found on commercial properties.
- Electric 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.
- Mortise Locks: What makes mortise locks unique is that there has to be a mortise, or pocket, cut into the door in order to fit the lock mechanism 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.
- Card Key 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.
Improving the security of your 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. Don’t sit on upgrading your locks and regret it later. Contact our locksmith team in Sandy Springs for a free consultation or for more information about the best locks for your residential or commercial property.
