Millions of homes are burglarized every year, and many of these burglaries could have been prevented if the homeowners had taken some basic security precautions.
According to the FBI, a burglary occurs every 13 seconds in the United States. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to protect your home and family from intruders.
One of the best ways to protect your home is to install a top-quality security lock on your door. At Regal Locksmiths, we offer a wide range of high-security locks that can keep your home safe from burglars.
What Is a Security Lock?
A security lock is designed to slow down a would-be intruder. Residential security locks prevent the opening or closing of exterior doors without locking them. Most security locks are key-operated for convenience, but some security models can be opened with an electronic access control device.
Security Locks Protect Your Family
The security lock you choose should fit your family’s lifestyle and sense of security. Some security locks come with anti-pick features that set pins into place to prevent lock picking, while others have thick metal inner workings that discourage burglars from breaking in through the deadbolt hole in the door jamb.
Once you choose the security lock you need, make sure all family members know how it works; this will help each member feel safe when they’re at home.
Security Locks Keep Your Family Safe
Here are 10 security lock options you can consider to keep your family safe:
1. Deadbolt Security Locks
These security locks have a key-operated thumb turn on the interior side and a solid metal bolt or bar on the exterior side.
The bolt or bar will run between two vertical door jambs, so a burglar must break through both to enter your home. If you choose this security lock, it’s best to get one that is mortised into the door jamb for increased security.
Deadbolts should be installed in pairs on exterior doors where security is paramount. It’s also important that they’re placed high enough to prevent easily accessible tampering from passersby.
2. Chain Door Locks
This security lock combines the security of a deadbolt with the convenience of an exterior chain. For extra security, it’s best to replace exterior door knobs with levers or handles that are harder for intruders to open.
This security lock is great if you have an attached garage next to your home since it gives you more security but still leaves enough space for someone outside the house to enter and exit your home.
However, this security lock isn’t recommended for houses with sliding glass doors or windows because burglars can simply break them instead of dealing with the security chain.
If you choose this security lock, make sure it’s anchored securely into place; otherwise, someone may be able to take it off its hinges without unlocking it.
3. Keyless Deadbolt Security Locks
If you want security and convenience, this security lock is an excellent choice. It includes a keypad for entry as well as a key-operated thumb turn on the inside to lock your door from the inside; however, if you forget the code or lose your keys, you can always use one of your secondary security keys outside of the security lock to enter your home safely.
4. Door Jamb Bolts and Braces
A door jamb bolts security lock bolts into place between two vertical wood posts on either side of your exterior door frame – usually with three bolts that secure into the header and threshold – to hold both jambs together securely. A security brace secures the security lock to the floor.
This security lock is very strong and discourages intruders from breaking into your home by kicking your door over its threshold or over the security lock itself.
If you choose this security lock, make sure it’s installed with long screws that go completely through both jambs; otherwise, burglars can easily unscrew the bolts using tools like screwdrivers or wrenches.
5. Door Chains
This security lock is similar to a security chain but has no horizontal bars; instead, the link chains are attached high on either side of your exterior door frame and close securely together on their interior side without any loose links or holes for added security.
A door chain security locks prevent you from opening the door up to the security lock while still allowing you to see who’s outside and talk to them. If you choose a security chain, make sure it’s installed high enough so that someone can’t simply reach over the security lock and manipulate your doorknob or lever from inside or out.
6. Locking Lever Handles
This security lock combines the convenience of a door handle with the security of a deadbolt security lock by using an elongated metal bar that fits into a track on one side of the door frame.
This security handle includes a thumb turn on the interior side that locks into place when it’s pushed down for additional security from intruders.
However, this security lock is less secure than most other security locks because no bolts are securing it in place. This security lock is best for bedrooms or other areas where security isn’t as important as convenience.
7. Double-Barreled Deadbolt Security Locks
For security, this security lock includes two deadbolts with solid steel locking bars that interlock into place when they’re both flipped up to secure the door securely in place without any room for prying by burglars.
These security locks are difficult to install but provide plenty of security if installed properly.
8. Mortise Lock Styles
This security lock is found on most exterior doors including front doors and garage doors; many commercial properties also use them on interior doors too.
There are several different types of mortise locks but all work similarly – a cylindrical latch is pushed and pulled up to open and down to lock the security lock.
However, security for this security lock comes from the security bar that latches into place at the bottom of the door jamb or security box for additional security.
9. Deadbolt Sash Bolts
Most security locks bolt into place at the top and bottom of a door frame; however, these unique security locks also secure into place at one side – usually opposite the hinges – using deadbolts instead of latch bolts.
The door can’t be opened either horizontally or vertically without removing all three security screws so someone would have to completely break through your door and frame before they could gain access inside your home.
10. Door Hinges and Lockset Hardware Designed For Security
Most security locks bolt into place at the top and bottom of a door frame; however, these unique security locks also secure into place at one side – usually opposite the hinges – using deadbolts instead of latch bolts. The door can’t be opened either horizontally or vertically without removing all three security screws so someone would have to completely break through your door and frame before they could gain access inside your home.
Did You Know that Security Locks to Keep Your Home Safe Are Available in Many Styles?
For security, this security lock includes two deadbolts with solid steel locking bars that interlock into place when they’re both flipped up to secure the door securely in place without any room for prying by burglars. These security locks are difficult to install but provide plenty of security if installed properly.
This security lock is found on most exterior doors including front doors and garage doors; many commercial properties also use them on interior doors too.
There are several different types of mortise locks but all work similarly – a cylindrical latch is pushed and pulled up to open and down to lock the security lock.
However, security for this security lock comes from the security bar that latches into place at the bottom of the door jamb or security box for additional security.
Worried about the security of your home?
Check out our top 10 list of the best security locks to keep your home safe. We’ve compiled this list based on our years of experience in the locksmith industry, and we’re confident that you won’t find a better selection of locks anywhere else.
Installing a new security lock is one of the best ways to improve the security of your home. Not only will it make it more difficult for intruders to break into your home, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing that your family and possessions are safe and sound.
