There is an old Irish saying that goes, ‘A lock is better than suspicion’. So, have you locked your home? We don’t know who invented the lock and the key. But there are references about the use of locks and keys in the Bible. At a time when the world relies on technological advancements like video surveillance systems and intercom systems to provide security and safety, isn’t relying on an ordinary lock, sort of naïve? Isn’t it outdated? Not really. The lock was for long used as a standalone security and safety device. Metal padlocks are still used in countries where the usage of security devices is not as common as that in the United States or the UK. However, the huge metal padlocks of yesteryear have been replaced by compact but efficient models that utilize the latest technology to lock doors, windows and garages. Modern day security padlocks are much more advanced and are designed to prevent easy key duplication or attempts to breaking. You can easily integrate the padlock with an existing security system so that the alarm will be triggered when the lock is fiddled with.
Types of security locks
The security locks of today provide much more than safety. They are easy to install and can be controlled even remotely. Yes, there are locking systems of all shapes and sizes available in the market today and the model that you choose depends on the size of your home, the features that you are looking for and your budget.
Remote Locking Systems: Remote Locking Systems can provide you with both, complete security as well as high end features at your fingertips. You can control the locks that are installed around your home, (both doors and windows) with a remote control. These systems are pretty similar to the auto locks that are commonly used in vehicles and can be installed in as less as half an hour. This makes them ideal for both the elderly as well as the disabled. Picture this, if you are doing some gardening work in your backyard and would like to lock your home without walking all the way to the front door, then all that you need to do is use the remote. A single button press and all the locks around your home will be activated.
Wireless Locking Systems: Wireless locking systems are the easiest to install and provides users with a full scale control system at cost effective rates. These locks are extremely easy to install and can be used in both mortise as well as cylindrical format. It requires no additional wiring or door preparation. Access to the locks is granted either via an alphanumeric keypad and a personalized access code or by swiping a micro chip enabled swiping tag past the filtered tag reader. Such locking systems are commonly used in corporate offices and commercial enterprises. Lock batteries last for more than 100,000 operations.
Once again, there are different models each having its own share of features and functionalities. For high security zones like government law enforcement agencies, the locks come equipped with a transponder and a biometric reader that gets activated only via the holders fingerprint. There is a single line scanner that requires an authorized user to swipe his/her finger over the bar and that verifies the holder’s identity. These locking systems are highly advanced and can be customized to grant access rights and set dates as well as times for opening and closing doors. A typical wireless door locking system includes a door entry keypad with a voice microphone and a speaker, a wireless transmitter for the keypad, the door entry door phone that is used to both answer as well as control the system and lastly a proximity encoded tag. You can customize the access control to grant access either by a remote door phone or by a personalized pin code. You can buy a complete wireless locking system for your home or combine it with existing security systems.
Garage Door locks: If your garage is more of your work area than a storage solution, then it is all the more reason for you to be concerned about its security. An impending threat looms large over unlocked garage doors and hence, most people utilize the best of garage security solutions.
A typical garage locking system consists of a rolling code remote control that can lock the garage door automatically each time it is closed. The same lock can be programmed to automatically unlock before the door is opened. If you have an existing garage security system that is outdated, then don’t sweat. You can easily install these garage security systems with existing security systems. It is controlled by GDO controls and is an ideal combination of security and convenience. These garage locks can be placed in a discreet manner thereby protecting it from vandalizing attempts. These locks can also be operated manually in case of a power failure and can be used to render all other locks obsolete.
Mechanical Locks: The old warhorses that is still functional. Mechanical locks have always been a subject of debate over its effectiveness or should I say ineffectiveness? There have been many instances where mechanical locks have been broken open by thieves and burglars using tools or simply by duplicating the key. However, now mechanical locks have undergone a complete makeover and now feature keyless locks that can be operated with a remote control. Other models have a slot for a key that is impossible to duplicate. There are two different types of mechanical locks.
- Warded Locks: These are the oldest of them all and utilize a set of wards to prevent lock from opening unless the proper key is used. The right key has a set of notches that correspond to the obstructions in the lock and hence it can rotate freely inside the lock. It is a spring loaded bolt with a notch cut in. The key is what slides the bolt forward as well as backward. Large warded locks are still used in low security applications in the United States. The reason is that warded locks are the easiest to pick.
- Tumbler lock: The tumbler lock has a set of levers or tumblers that fall into a slot and prevent it from being moved. The correct key has a set of serrations that raise the metal pieces to the precise height above the slot. This allows the bolt to slide. There are three different types of tumbler locks - viz, pin-tumbler, disk-tumbler, and lever-tumbler. The first pin tumbler cylinder lock was designed by American inventor Linus Yale and more compact versions of these locks are still used today.
Keyless Locks
Last but not the least, we have keyless locks. As the name suggests, these are locks that do not use traditional keys to open. Most of the above mentioned locks fall into this category. They use a personalized key and a keypad to grant access control. There are several reasons why you must opt for a keyless lock in place of a more traditional locking system. Here are a few.
- It fits any door: Unlike some other locking systems, keyless locks virtually fit any door and can be installed with your existing security system. They usually need only a deadbolt opening for installation and work equally well with both left and right handed doors. Moreover, they are completely customizable and allow you to provide security for a large number of users.
- They are foolproof: Since there are no keys, there will be no threat of key duplication or break in attempts. A simple PIN is what grants access. There is no fear of losing the keys.
If you wish to restrict the access to only one security code, then you can customize the lock accordingly.
