When a door lock in your home is tampered with, damaged, or outdated, replacing the entire system is the best way to keep your property secure. However, when it comes time for replacement, many homeowners are overwhelmed by the vast array of products available. Fortunately, with a few basic insights and help from a professional locksmith, you can choose a solution that works best for your needs. Before you schedule lock replacement, here’s what you should know about choosing a product.

How to Choose the Right Locks for Your Doors

1. Type

There are many different types of locks that may or may not work for your needs. For example, deadbolts are commonly used on exterior doors to reinforce the entry against intrusion. Lever systems, on the other hand, are easy to use but also easy to tamper with. As such, they tend to be reserved for interior doors that don’t pose major security concerns.

2. Security Rating

ANSI ratings are used to measure the overall security level of a door lock. In most residential settings, homeowners are encouraged to use products with ANSI ratings of 1 to 3. Those with a rating of 1 offer the highest level of protection, as they are demonstrated to resist high amounts of force and tampering.

3. Secondary Needs

If you’re upgrading an exterior entryway, your door may need more than one lock. Front doors, for instance, are often set up with both deadbolts and standard single-latch knobs. This configuration allows homeowners to double-up on security.

4. Installation Requirements

When you consult with your residential locksmith, you’ll need to provide specific details on where the installation will occur, such as on an interior, front, or sliding glass doors. Depending on the type and location, additional installation needs may be required. For example, mortise products will require professionals to create a pocket within the door, whereas deadbolt installation may require a new strike plate along the door frame.

5. Key Features

Consider what type of key the new lock will use and how it will impact your daily activities. If you want to avoid a cluttered key ring, you may want to be sure they are all keyed to one key. For seamless access and mobile monitoring, you might prefer a smart device that uses a keypad.

 

 

When you trust in Ability Lock & Key, choosing a new door lock for your home never has to be complex. Providing mobile locksmith services throughout the Winston-Salem, NC area, these experienced professionals will thoroughly assess your security needs to determine which products are best for your home. Whether you’re installing deadbolts or upgrading to a master key system, you can also count on these specialists to provide swift service with durable results. To learn more about these capabilities, visit this Piedmont-Triad locksmith online or call (336) 406-9241..