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Choosing The Right Type Of Lock For Your Home

There is not a day that goes by where we are in contact with some type of lock.  Locks are used to secure our personal property and belongings which include, window locks, garage door locks, home entry locks, car locks, pad locks, and the list goes on.  If you have found yourself to this article, the chances are you are either constructing a new home, had a recent break in, have a key issue with your current setup, or your lock is not working the way it is supposed to.  Let us discuss the types of locks you can use to secure your home and what feature you want to take into consideration depending on your situation.

Homeowners typically have two types of locks securing their home which include deadbolts and knobs/levers.  Knobs and levers are what we mostly encounter daily, be it on an externally facing door or on an internal door such as your bedroom or bathroom.  For the most part deadbolts are used as a primary security feature on external doors in order to provide you with the best protection.

When determining what type of lock to utilize you will want to take into consideration function, quality, and aesthetics.  The first step is to understand what type of door you are looking to secure.  Is it an internal or external door?  Is it a high traffic lock, meaning you will be locking this door frequently such as a bathroom, or is it used less such as a closet?    These factors will provide you with a perspective on what grade lock you will need to install.  Grade is an important thing to understand so you can ensure you choose the correct product for your application.

One thing that can help you with the grade of a lock are the grading standards put in place by The American National Standards Institute (ANSI).  This is a private institution that creates standards for many products including locks.  Packaging that meets ANSI grading standards are marked with numbers such as 3, 2, or 1.  If a package does not have this grading, it is a much lower quality lock.

Grade 3 locks are the least secure and meets the minimal standards.  These should be used for secondary entry points such as an internal door.  A grade 2 lock is typically used in residential applications, they are not quite as strong as a grade 1, but are generally enough security.  Grade 1 is the highest level of ANSI grading for door locks.  These are usually reserved for commercial applications such as businesses but can be used in residential situations.

After determining the function and quality requirements for your situation, aesthetics is important.  Locks come in all types of finishes to match your home décor.  This is a matter of personal preference and everyone has their own style and perspective.

Choosing the right security to protect yourself, your family, and your personal property requires extensive knowledge of lock types, and installation protocols.  If a lot of what was explained seems confusing or challenging, you will want to consult a company like Locksmith Philadelphia as they can respond quickly to your request and provide you with the expertise and guidance to ensure you are doing everything, you can to ensure the most valuable things in your life are properly secured. Make sure that you find out local locksmith Philadelphia.

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