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There are a number of different types of household door locks available on the market or supplied with doors when purchased. So we thought we’d write a guide to the common types of household door locks and discuss where they are typically used.
These are sometimes referred to as a ‘Chubb’ style lock.
They are operated with a long key that has a rod shaped shaft with a ‘bit’ on the end that interacts with the lock.
They are divided into two categories:
a) Sashlocks – the lock includes an integral latch as well as a bolt to open and close the lock
b) Deadlocks – this has a bolt only and no latch
Mortice locks are normally fitted in wooden doors.
The lock normally works using a number of internal ‘levers’ that individually move up to a specific height to release the bolt in order for it to engage and disengage. If the lock is fitted to an external door, then the lock should have 5 levers and be BS approved. And be careful, using the wrong lock could invalidate your home insurance.
These types of household door locks are sometimes referred to as a ‘Yale’ style lock.
They are often fitted to a door along with a deadlock as, for an external door, it is unwise to rely on just the nightlatch for security.
Normally nightlatches are fitted to the surface of wooden doors at around shoulder height.
The latch is springloaded and normally it automatically locks when the door is closed.
The part that the key fits into on the external side is called a Rim Cylinder. This is an interchangeable part meaning if you want to change the lock to ensure you are the only one with the key, then you only need to replace the rim cylinder, not the nightlatch. The rim cylinder operates with a series of spring loaded pins that move to the required position when the key is inserted so that the key can turn. Rim cylinders can come in a variety of finishes to match the look of the door.
Some nightlatches are deadlocking (either automatically or manually) meaning that when it is deadlocked someone cannot force latch to retract without the key. Non-deadlocking nightlatches are available which can be more convenient (e.g. for shared access), but these are not as secure are deadlocking versions. Either way, and as previously mentioned, when securing your property one should use the deadlock in addition to the nightlatch.
A nightlatch usually has a button or switch on the inside which, when engaged can hold the latch in either the in/open or out/locked position. This button is called the ‘Snib’. Once it is engaged, not even the key will operate the lock. Over time, the snib button can sometimes come loose and if this happens the nightlatch should be repaired or replaced as otherwise it might engage itself for example if the door is closed heavily.
These types of household door locks are very common nowadays and are typically found on uPVC and composite doors where they are fitted in conjunction with a multi-point locking system. They can also be used with some mortice locks and on aluminium doors.
A Euro cylinder operates with a series of spring loaded pins that move to the required position when the key is inserted so that the key can turn. There are a huge variety of brands and manufacturers in the marketplace and the levels of cost, quality and security can vary greatly. Look for security features such as anti-snap and anti-drill.
If preferred, euro cylinders can come with a thumb turn on the inside of the door meaning you do not need a key to operate the lock from the inside.
The euro shaped profile is standard across the industry so it is easy to interchange the euro cylinder.
If you’re about to or have just moved house, changing your locks should be near the top of your list. Hopefully this article has given some insight into the types of locks available. Contact Lock Guy for advice on door locks, home security and lock upgrades in the Essex region.
Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.