There are plenty of other door locks, and many fall within the seven categories of knob locks, deadbolt locks, cam locks, padlocks, mortise locks, smart locks and keypad locks. For example, lever handle door locks are used for inner doors and work much like knob locks.
While there is seemingly scope for every door lock in the world to require a unique key, reality is that a limited number of different key and door lock combinations exist. This is simply because key and door lock manufacturers don't need to go through the hassle of making each door lock unique.
Door levers are left-handed, right-handed or universal. To determine what you need, look at the door from outside the house or room. If the hinges are on the left, look for a left-handed or universal lever. If the hinges are on the right, you need a right-handed or universal model.
Most types of locks for doors will work on both types of door handings. These locks are labeled as "reversible handing" or "universal handing" and can be installed on either side of the door.
Since most homes have multiple doors with multiple locks, re-keying can get expensive. You can re-key a lock like a pro at a fraction of the cost. Re-keying kits are available for most lock brands but they're not interchangeable. You must buy a kit for each brand of lock in your home.
When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
Even though there is a standard size for deadbolts, you might need smaller or larger sizes depending on the size and thickness of your door. Different brands have deadbolt sizes as small as 2 inches and as big as 5 inches.
A deadbolt lock will secure your door from would-be thieves. Every exterior door should have at least two locks to deter them.
All packages with the same key number use the same key.
So if you have 3 knobs and 2 deadbolts you all want keyed alike, buy 3 knob+deadbolt sets of the same number. Generally there are 3-8 lock packages in a carton (all with the same style/color/SKU).
Door knobs are not universal, but there aren't exponentially increasing options for what you need. You need to consider three things: the backset, the hole diameter (called a cross-bore) where the doorknob goes, and whether it's for interior or exterior use.
To have the door function properly, you will have to make sure that the door knob you buy is the correct size for your door. The standard size for a door knob diameter is either 2 3/8 inches or 2 3/4 inches and these knobs will usually fit doors that are anywhere between 1 3/8 inches to 1 3/4 inches thick.
There are three main types of door handles: lever handles, pull handles and door knobs.
Any key that can open two or more locks is considered a master key. Many master keys use pin and tumbler locks. For a master key to work, though, there must be something called master wafers inside the lock. When the master wafers line up, the key and lock can turn freely.
Keyed to differ means each lock has its own key. Basically speaking, you can't use the same key to open a different lock so it is 'keyed different'. Think of it as your screen door can be unlocked by one key, but the same key can't unlock the deadlock.
They're called keyed-alike locks and are sold in many big name hardware stores. It's something homeowners need to know. "You might need three locks, but there may be 10 on the shelf, they are all the same key," said Ron Boddie with B&B Locksmiths.
It's quite useful to have two locks in the door separating the house/apartment from the surrounding world but use just one of them. Locks happen to break, although that's quite rare. If one of the locks starts malfunctioning you can just stop using it and use the other one until you fix the first one.
Having a single sturdy lock on your door is perfect. However, two locks could add extra protection to your door/home or place of business. So one or two sturdy locks are okay for a front door lock.
Generally speaking, deadbolts are sturdy locks that can withstand kick in and other forced entry attempts. However, a door with a deadbolt can still be kicked down if the door itself is not solid. So, to protect your door against kick in, you want to make sure both the lock and door are of high-quality grade.
Standard door preparation for a door with both a door knob and a deadbolt have two sets of bore holes and cross bores stacked on top of each other at 5 1/2" from center to center (like the diagram shown on the left) It should have the exact preparation for the deadbolt, as the knob below with a 2 1/8" diameter bore ...
Euro Cylinder Lock Sizes
Euro cylinder locks are available in a variety of sizes to suit different doors. The length of lock you need will depend on the thickness of the door, so begin by measuring that.
Designed by locksmiths for locksmiths, the B500-Series deadbolt accepts any Schlage cylinders, fits virtually every door you service, enhances lock strength on the jamb side of the door and will change forever the way you look at deadbolts.
Ultimately, whether you choose to have your deadbolt and door lock open with the same key is your choice. There isn't necessarily a one size fits all answer. If you want to have separate keys for a door that currently uses only one key, it is easy enough for a locksmith to set it up for you.