Knob locks are the most common type of door lock available and the chief security method for most doors. The lock cylinder is located in the knob itself instead of the door. Thus, knob locks should not be used on external doors, as they can be easily broken into with basic tools like a hammer or wrench.
A deadbolt lock is the most common option for home security, consisting of a thick metal bolt that protrudes through a strike plate and into the door frame to prevent the door from being opened. Simply enter the correct key into the keyhole and turn the key to open or close the deadbolt.
Deadbolts are much more secure than a spring bolt, which is why most residential and commercial spaces opt for this kind of lock. A handset is a great option for homeowners who want a more stylish option than the classic doorknob.
Deadbolts provide the highest level of front door security. To ensure your door locks provide solid home security, choose locks and deadbolts that are pick-resistant and bump proof. Good locks use mushroom pins or pick shields to prohibit thieves from using picking tools to pry the lock and enter your home.
For the best security, any entry or exterior door of your home needs a deadbolt lock on it. A deadbolt actually goes inside of your door's frame which is much more secure than just a bottom lock that can be compromised with a credit card.
Schlage and Kwikset are two of the most popular lock manufacturers on the market. Both brands make excellent locks that homeowners can easily install, but Schlage locks tend to offer higher security and reliability and are trusted by big businesses.
Single cylinder
This is the most common type of deadbolt used. Single cylinder deadbolts have an exterior keyhole that throws or retracts the deadbolt using a key on the outside. On the inside, you can lock and unlock the deadbolt with the thumbturn.
Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are usually used on a home's exterior door. Available in single- and double-cylinder styles, deadbolts are rated according to their strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3.
There are several different types of door locks. The main types you are likely to have on your doors are: Five-lever mortice deadlocks. Key-operated multi-point locks. Night latches/rim locks.
A normal door lock is likely to be a mortice lock – either a deadlock, sashlock, euro sash case or euro deadcase style. These offer high security for external doors and also act as a visible deterrent because burglars know they're difficult to overcome.
The cylindrical lock is the most common of all door locks in use today. They are used to secure office doors, storerooms, and exterior doors. It is named for the locking cylinder located in the knob or lever. Some cylindrical locks require a key to lock and unlock them.
Best High-Security Door Lock
CR's take: The Medeco Maxum 11TR503-19 is the strongest deadbolt across all of our lock categories. It's top-notch for drilling, withstands kick-ins very well, and is designed in a way that makes it quite difficult to pick.
SECURITY EXTERIOR DOORS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOME
If the risk of burglary in your area is relatively low, a class 2 door (RC 2) is sufficient. The door frame, regardless of the security class, should be made of steel, extruded aluminum alloy or hardwood reinforced by steel plates, and have at least 3 hinges.
Basic Cylinder Locks
Deadbolts use a solid piece of metal to secure the door, while standard cylinder locks use a spring to help make it easier to lock the door. Unfortunately, the spring does not provide much security and it can easily be forced. Deadbolts, however, are still vulnerable to lock picking.
Regardless of the other security measures, you might have in place in your home, there is no substitute for a proper locking system. Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are commonly used on exterior house doors.
1) EVVA MCS
Each key has a complex rounded shape, this coupled with the magnetic element makes it an extremely hard lock to pick. The only way to gain access to the door would be for the key to be cloned, and in that case, a master locksmith would need to get their hands on the original key.
A lock's security is denoted by its American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grade, with Grade 1 the most secure and Grade 3 the least. A builder-quality tubular lock will likely be a Grade 3, a good-quality handleset a Grade 2.
Schlage deadbolts have a thick, solid housing that protects the cylinder all around, leaving no hollow areas, in contrast, the housing of the Kwikset deadbolt is much lighter and somewhat hollow, making it much easier to drill through.
Every exterior door should have at least 2 locks to deter thieves from breaking in. The door will have its standard lock built into the doorknob, but one of the most effective ways to secure it completely is by installing a deadbolt lock.
The answer: One sturdy lock is enough to secure a front door. If installed correctly, a high-quality lock is all you really need. You always have the option of adding a second lock as an extra layer of protection — but there are potentially more productive measures to take.
Most options for entry doors are made using steel. While these types of exterior entry doors were once considered solutions for commercial and industrial structures, there are styles and designs that are ideal for a private residence. If it can be done using wood, it's possible to use metal as the material of choice.