There are an estimated 3.7 million home breaks-in each year in the United States. This staggering statistic this clearly demonstrates the need to have a safe and secure home. If you combine all of the different door-related ways that a home can be broken into – picked locks, entering through unlocked doors, broken down locks and jambs – then almost 50% of all break-ins happens through doorways. By updating to newer, more secure locks on your doors, you can drastically increase the security of your home.

There are many different types of locks out there, so which ones are right for your home? Let’s find out!

Entry Locksets

These are the locksets you find on the doors leading into your house. The two doorknobs lock from both the inside and outside. From the inside, the door can be locked by depressing a button or turning a small thumb knob.  The outside locks with a key. Older models might have to lock from either side by a key, and even older models will only lock and unlock from the inside.

Deadbolt Lock

Deadbolts tend to come bundled with the entry locksets and are the real powerhouses when it comes to home protection. They’re called “dead” bolts because they don’t require a spring to operate. The bolt locks into the door frame and is usually only worked from the inside with a key or thumb turn. Some deadbolts lock from the outside as well and are in single-cylinder or double-cylinder models.

Single-cylinder deadbolts have a thumb turn on the inside and a key lock on the outside.  Double-cylinder deadbolts require a key to operate both the inside and outside. Double-cylinders can be helpful for security, as even breaking the glass on a door or window won’t allow entry.  However, they can also be dangerous in the case of an emergency if the key isn’t located quickly. For this reason, some area building codes don’t allow for the use of double-cylinder deadbolts.

Surface Mounted Deadbolt

Surface Mounted Deadbolts are, as implied, deadbolts that get mounted on the inside surface of the door. They operate by either a thumb turn or a key. Instead of sliding into the frame like most deadbolts they slide into a surface mounted strike plate.

Mortise Lock

Mortise locks are heavy duty locksets that fit into a pocket that you create within the door. Most mortise locks will have a template to make sure you cut the hole properly in your door. In fact, there are even whole tool kits dedicated to creating a proper recess for the mortise lock!

Mortise locks are some of the most secure locks out there because of their peculiar and complicated systems. Mortise locks have auxiliary bolts that engage when locked from the outside, as well as having a primary deadbolt to lock. Their large chassis and complicated lock system make them very hard to pick, and the higher quality construction and multiple locking devices make them hard to break.

Keyless Entry System

Keyless Entry Systems are becoming quite a popular item on the market. The keypad system offered by Koopman relies on a 7-10 digit or letter combination to open the door.  Now you never have to worry about who’s coming, who’s going, or who has a key again.

Designs, Styles and Finishes

With so many different styles and finishes available, choosing a lockset can feel overwhelming.  Schlage® offers two helpful tools on their website to aid you in your selection process.  Check out their Design Guides and Style Selector resources for some helpful guidance.

Wrap Up

Home Security is essential. Make sure your home is protected this year by teaming up with Koopman Lumber. We have the best selection of home security around and the knowledge backed by years of experience to make sure you get the best lockset for your home.

Additionally, we offer rekeying services, which will allow your new locks to be set to use your existing key(s).  This is an easy way to simplify the process of changing your home’s locks should not want or need to have them keyed differently.  So visit us online today at http://www.koopmanlumber.com and find the location nearest you.