How to Choose the Right Lock for Your Home

If you’re trying to optimize home security and are worried about outdated locks and what you can do to upgrade your lock types, a locksmith is the best person to turn to.

The right lock for your home can keep your home and family safe. The best locks for residences feature different styles, security levels, and finishes.

Locksmith United offers valuable tips and recommendations to all homeowners about the various home locks and their available features. They will help you choose the best home locks for optimal security. Here’s the takeaway:

How to Choose a Home Door Lock?

Choosing a door lock for your residence means knowing everything you can about different lock options and the best locks for your type of home. Door lock options also need to match your lifestyle preferences and security needs. Here’s how to choose the right lock for your home:

1. Look at Lock Functionality

From conventional deadbolts, electronic locks with keypads, and smart locks, which you can operate with your smartphone, smart speaker, or smartwatch, choosing the right lock for your home means understanding door lock types. These feature three categories:

• Smart Home Locks feature high-tech locks that are perfect for tech-savvy homeowners and integrate with smart devices. You can use smartphones, Alexa, or Google Home voice assistants to control remote access with a “Hey Google, lock the door!”
• Retrofit Smart Home Locks allows you to upgrade your existing deadbolts without purchasing new ones.
• Conventional & Electronic Home Locks include knob locks, deadbolts, and electronic keyboards for keyless entries.

2. Examine Different Lock Types

Locks are made for different purposes, and choosing the wrong lock for your home can compromise safety and convenience. Smart locks are a good option if you often forget to lock the front door. Smart locks let you lock up your residence via a smartphone app or with remote locking or unlocking features.

3. Educate Yourself About Grade Ratings

The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) evaluates locks with a grading system. There are three grades assigned to locks. Grade 1 is the highest, Grade 2 and Grade 3 is the lowest.

Grade 1: This is the most secure and durable type of lock, ideal for high-security areas of your home, like main entry doors. Grade 1 locks have undergone vigorous testing and feature high force resistance and long-term durability.

Grade 2: This is an intermediate-grade type of lock that features security and durability. Grade 2 locks are great for homes and offer affordability and strength.

Grade 3: Best for light-duty residential use, Grade 3 locks work well for interior doors or areas in your home that don’t require high security. These locks are not durable enough to withstand significant force or prolonged use.

4. Find Out About Security Levels

Always opt for high-security locks that provide reinforced strike plates and hardened bolts and are pick-resistant. Locksmith United can recommend home locks to help boost home security based on a home’s area crime level, homeowner’s budget, and needs.

High-security locks are vital to protecting your family. Even if you need to learn more about deadbolts, utility locks, and multi-point padlocks, our locksmiths will help you find the most effective options to keep your home safe.

5. Assess Key Control Options

If you share home keys with multiple family members and staff or need keys for rental properties, opt for locks with patented or restricted lock systems. This means that only a locksmith can duplicate these keys, which helps prevent unauthorized duplicates of keys.

6. What About Lock Customization

Door locks can have over 50 locking functions to help you prepare for any situation. Before choosing locks for your home, talk to your locksmith about addressing your home security needs.

Whether you’re looking for a storage lock or a master key system for easier access control to your home, Locksmith United can customize locks to enhance operational efficiency. This includes the following:

• Smart locks with specific access codes that allow for personalized entry options.
• Childproofing locks keep children safe from restricted areas in your home, pool area, and backyard.
• High-security home locks feature restricted keyways and pathways for optimal residential protection.
• Cloud-managed residential locks give you remote home monitoring and work well for smart homes.
• Keyless entry systems are gaining popularity and eliminate the need for keys.

How to Keep Your Family Safe With the Right Home Lock

You’re mistaken if you think any lock’s good enough for your home. To keep your family and pets safe, the correct type of lock for your front door is going to be the one that prevents forced entry.

A high-quality exterior door lock has to be durable and dependable over time. It should deter break-ins. You can’t opt for any lock! And if you’re one to misplace keys, then smart locks may be a good option with keyless access and custom entry codes.

“It’s important to remember that no lock is 100% guaranteed to deter or keep out all intruders. However, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of intruders by ensuring that all exterior doors are fitted with some form of deadbolt locks and strike plates and that you are diligent in using these locks while at home and away,” explains State Farm.

State Farm adds that spring latch locks offer the least protection but are also the least expensive and most accessible to install. On the other hand, a stronger type of lock includes the standard deadbolt lock, which bolts the door into the frame.; the bolt is “dead” in that it has to be manually moved in and out of place using a key or knob.  

A yet stronger deadbolt is the vertical deadbolt, which locks vertically into the door frame. For optimal maximum security, the double-cylinder deadbolt needs a key and lock to unlock from both sides of the door. These types of locks need expert locksmiths for correct installation and effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

By looking at space and security requirements, Locksmith United makes it possible for you to select a lock function with the best features for protection and usability.

Today’s smart lock options feature fingerprint sensors, allowing you and your family members to open doors without a smartphone, key, or PIN. 

A good lock can offer peace of mind, but whatever locks you purchase for your home, make sure to work together with our locksmiths at United to get high-quality service, ensuring that you and your family are safe in your home 24/7!