Door Lock Types: Quick Guide To Door Locks

Door locks are a vital part of home security. The right lock can deter burglars, protect your possessions, and give you peace of mind but there’s a variety of lock types available and it can be cumbersome to know which one to pick and what the differences are. This guide explores the most common types of door locks, explaining how they work, their pros and cons, and answers some FAQs about each.

If you’ve ever filled in a home insurance application form and been stuck on the “type of door lock” question, this guide is for you.

5 Lever Mortice Deadlocks

Embedded within the door itself, the lock features five levers that need to be lifted to a specific height by the key to unlock.

This means that the 5 Lever Mortice Deadlock provides a high level of security, and is hard to pick due to the complexity of the mechanism, often required by home insurance policies.

Whilst it provides good security and is recommended for insurance purposes, this type of door lock is more complex to install and can be expensive.

This lock is best suited to solid wooden doors.

BS3621 Mortice Deadlocks

This type of door lock is similar to the aforementioned 5 lever locks but conforms to the British Standard BS3621, indicating a higher level of security. This provides additional insurance benefits that may lower your house insurance cost, and is particularly strong against forced entry.

That said, the BS3621 Mortice Deadlocks do typically come in at a higher price and are more complex to fit.

Multi-Point Locking Systems

A Mlulti-Point Locking System locks the door at multiple points from the top to the bottom with a single turn of the key, which has significant secufrity advantages by making it much harder to force entry.

As they are suitable for most doors, including bifold doors and patio doors, the multi-point locking system is one of the most popular door lock types on the market.

In the unlikely event that something does go wrong, however, due to the more complex mechanism, it can sometimes be costly to repair.

Rim Automatic Deadlatches

Fitted on the inside surface of the door, Rim Automatic Deadlatches automatically lock the door when it’s shut, making them ideal for people who often forget to lock their door.

Whilst automatic locking sounds great, these locks are typically less secure, with their benefits often focusing on the convenience and ease of use. In the event that the door locked behind you and no-one remained inside to let you in, they can be opened with a key, however, the problem will be remembering to have the key on you (which is easily forgotten once you get used to auto-locking).

Euro Cylinder Locks

Common in modern doors, Euro Cylinder Locks have a cylinder that controls the mechanism. These locks are easy to replace and can be used in a variety of applications, however, they are less secure and are prone to some types of attacks, such as snapping.

To help with the snapping attack vector, there are some Euro Cylinder Locks that are designed to be anti-snap, so if you are set on this lock type, make sure to look for anti-snap.

Choosing the right lock depends on your door type, security needs, and budget. Each lock type offers unique benefits, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision to secure your home effectively.

If you’re looking for a new front door or back door, ensure you look into the lock options available to you and discuss them with your installer. For replacement locks, ensure your locksmith understand your door type and how secure you’re needing the lock to be in order to ensure the most suitable lock is fitted.