Take a wander around your house – count how many different locks you have. You’ll notice that there’s actually more than you thought, from the front door to the back-door, the windows and the filing cabinet, each one is often different to the last. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the different styles of locks that you may come across, starting with…
The Multi-Point Locking System
On newer, uPVC doors you’ll often come across the multi-point lock. As the name suggests, they’ll have at least three separate points which all lock – and unlock – at the turn of a key, which secures the door to the frame. They’ll have a central deadbolt, along with a minimum of two smaller hook bolts, and a latch. In fact, many of these come with bolts at the top and bottom of the door, in addition to the lock area. Some residential houses may have multi-point locking systems on the front door, but generally you’re more likely to find these on back-doors.
Five-Lever Mortice Deadlock
The five-lever mortice deadlock is the classic in the world of locks. Chances are, if your lock is embedded rather than externally fixed, you have one on your front door – and hey, now you can put a name to it. The centrally placed deadbolt slips neatly inside the strike-plate which is fitted into the frame itself. You’ll always need a key to open this style of lock, making is pretty secure so long as you close the door. Some versions of the five-lever mortice deadlock conform to the British standard, BS3621, which often means they’re even more secure than usual.
Rim Automatic Nightlatch
There are several different types of nightlatch – including key deadlocking, non-deadlocking, but the most familiar of all these is the rim automatic nightlatch, or deadlatch as it’s known in some quarters. So-called because both the the lock and the plate are affixed to the exterior rim of the door and frame. Rim automatic nightlatches have a deadlocking pin above or below the latch – close the door and the deadlock mechanism kicks in, preventing the lock from being opened without a key.
Here at AFS Security, we take security seriously. That’s how we’ve become expert locksmiths in East London, Essex and Kent. If you require our services, then please do contact us on 0208 471 9000 or email enquiries@afs-security.com and our experienced and professional staff will be more than happy to assist you.
