Locksmith Express

When you decide to replace your lock with a new one, you need to know that you will need to choose from a wide variety of types, manufacturers, and tools for their installation.
Although there are many types of locks, the four most common are padlocks, deadbolts, knob locks, and levers.

Padlocks

Padlocks are the only type of lock that is typically not permanently attached to anything else. Padlocks are different sizes, free standing and portable, and are one of the most easily recognizable types of lock. Padlocks can be found in two main varieties: combination and keyed. Combination locks have one or more number dials that open the lock when the correct combination is entered. They are often easy to decode or shim open. Keyed padlocks have several options. There are rekeyable and non-rekeyable padlocks. If a padlock is non-rekeyable, then you cannot change the key that opens the lock (for example to make it use the same key as your house). Padlocks can be key-retaining or non-key-retaining. A key-retaining padlock does not allow the key to be removed while the padlock is open. Finally, padlocks can have a shrouded shackle – an protraction of the body where the shoulders of the padlock raise up the sides of the shackle to make it harder for cutting the padlock.

Deadbolts

Deadbolts are generally installed on external doors and have a few more options to consider than padlocks. Deadbolts come in three primary varieties: single, double, and lockable thumbturn. First type uses a key cylinder on the outside and a thumbturn (rosary) on the inside to open or close the lock. These deadbolts have one primary weakness. If access to the inside is possible, the door can be opened using the thumbturn. A double cylinder deadbolt uses a key cylinder on the inside and the outside of the door to solve this issue. Their disadvantage is that always required a key to unlock the door from the inside. This can be a problem in an emergency. If you use it at home, it is advisable to leave a key on the inside to ensure a safe exit in such cases.The final type of deadbolt is a hybrid between a single and a double deadbolt, and is called a lockable thumbturn. It features a thumbturn on the inside that works like a normal single cylinder deadbolt, except the thumbturn can be locked using a key so it cannot lock or unlock the door. This means that the thumbturn can be left in unlocked while people are inside the house, and it will be exactly like a standard single cylinder deadbolt. But when everyone is leaving, especially for long time, the thumbturn could be locked so that even if someone has access to the door from inside, the deadbolt cannot be unlocked. This type of deadbolt provides maximum flexibility and security in most situations.

Knob Locks

Knob locks are frequently installed in residential situations on exterior doors in addition to deadbolts, and are sometimes used as the primary source of security for doors. The most important is to say that knob locks should never be used as the only means of securing the doors. The problem lies in the fact that the lock cylinder is in the knob itself and not the door. In almost all setups, they can be broken off the door with just a hammer or skipped with pliers or a wrench behind the knob. If you currently have knob locks, consider replacing them with simple passage knobs as it will provide almost as much security as long as you are using deadbolts on the same doors.

Lever Handle Locks

Lever handle locks are frequently used for inner doors in commercial settings. They are easier to open than knob locks as they have a large handle rather than a knob that one must grasp and turn. When access of disadvantaged people is important lever locks are more appropriate. Levers can be the target of torque attacks (excessive pressure applied to the handle to try and force the lock). Some levers are “clutch” levers meaning if they are forced they just turn rather than apply pressure to the lock.

Cam Locks

Cam locks are used in a variety of situations but are most frequently can be found in filing cabinets, mailboxes and etc. They can be in several different lengths and can use a variety of tailpieces or “cams” to interface with another locking mechanism. There is a very large variety of cam options. They can rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise and the amount of rotation can be limited to 90 or 180 degrees.

Rim/Mortise Locks

Rim cylinder and Mortise cylinder locks are frequently found on commercial doors, entry glass doors, and some apartment doors. While rim locks are very similar to mortise locks (many of our Abloy locks are rim/mortise combo locks) the actual hardware they are used on greatly differs. Rim cylinder locks are generally used in rim latch locks which are mounted on the inside of the door. Rim cylinder locks always have a long metal piece extending out the rear of the lock that runs through the door into a locking mechanism on the opposite side of the door. Rim locks are held in place by two screws from the inside that screw into the back of the rim cylinder. By contrast, mortise cylinder locks are threaded and actually screw into mortise hardware that is mounted within the door. They are held in place by a set screw and utilize a cam to actuate the locking hardware. Mortise cylinders come in several different lengths and there is a large variety of options for the cams depending on the exact mortise hardware they are being used in.

Euro Profile Cylinders

Euro profile cylinders (sometimes called DIN cylinders) are mostly used in locking devices in Europe and other parts of the world. They can be found in several varieties: single cylinder (one sided), double cylinder (locking cylinder on each side), and single cylinder with thumbturn (locking cylinder on one side and thumbturn on the other). The exterior (and optionally interior) lengths do vary, but the rest of the dimensions are fairly standard. Euro profile cylinders are held in place by a single screw that runs through the middle of the cylinder. Due to this single attach point the euro profile cylinder can be easily snapped off the door if it is not of proper length or reinforced.

Wall Mounted Locks

Wall mounted locks are locks that are actually mounted in the wall. The most common type of wall mounted lock would be the Knox-Box or fireman’s box style lock found in many larger businesses as an emergency access to the buildings keys. Wall mounted locks can be used for more than just key storage. They often can be found in small safes and deposit boxes. Installation is generally done at time of construction although some wall mounted locks can be easily installed into existing buildings and variety of wall surfaces. Frequently wall locks will be mounted with covers or alarm sensors to allow networking into the buildings security system (to detect unauthorized access).

Interchangeable Core (IC) Cylinders

Interchangeable Core Cylinders are frequently used in larger institutions and businesses and are known for their easy ability to re-key the lock by swapping out the core without taking the lock apart. I/C Locks have two types of keys that work in the lock, the standard operator key locks and unlocks the lock like normal, while the control key, when used, pulls the entire core of the lock out without removing any screws. This is very useful when upgrading locks since the door hardware can be left alone. Just the lock cores are replaced with new ones allowing the door to be upgraded in seconds.

Furniture Locks

This category of locks actually covers a variety of locks including cabinet, desk, and sliding door locks. There are two primary styles of furniture lock, bolt style and push button style. Bolt style have a piece of flat metal that extends out the side of the lock to secure the device. Bolt style locks can be found on desks, cabinets, and drawers, although they are also used in a wide variety of other devices. Push button style locks have a rod that comes out the back of the lock that is used to secure things in place. When the lock is unlocked it pops out retracting the rod into the lock body. The device is then re-locked by pushing the lock back into its shell. Furniture locks can be installed onto existing hardware also.

Vending/T-Handle Locks

These locks can be found in vending machines and T-Handle locks, although they are sometimes used in other cases. T-Handle locks are easy to replace as when you open the device you are actually pulling the t-handle lock out. Placing a new T-handle lock back in when closing the device is all that is necessary to complete the upgrade. T-Handle locks come in two variants, a spring latch that allows the device to be re-locked without needing a key, and a dead latch that requires a key to re-lock the device.

Jimmy Proof Deadbolts

Jimmy proof deadbolts are a surface mount product that could be found on apartments and double doors. They are sometimes preferred because of the minimal door modifications required. They are also unique as the deadbolt interlocks with the jamb bracket preventing from being simply pulled apart or forced easily from the outside. A surface mount lock means the lock screws into the inside of the door rather than having a complex drill pattern like a standard deadbolt. Jimmy proof deadbolts only require a hole drilled straight through the door for the rim cylinder. If you have already Jimmy proof deadbolt you can replace just the rim cylinder to upgrade your security.

Rim Latch Locks

A rim latch lock has a standard or custom rim cylinder on one side and a surface mount latch lock on the other. Rim latch locks can auto lock the door behind you and are popular in some apartment complexes. Rim latch locks are generally not meant to take a large amount of force but can be paired with other locks when used on an external door.

Key In Knob (KIK) Cylinders

A KIK cylinder is generally hidden inside of the lock with only the circular face of the lock being visible. Frequently, when you take the lock apart (knob/deadbolt/etc), you will find a KIK cylinder held in place with a screw. Unfortunately, while KIK cylinders all generally look similar, there are no standard specifications to their design. This can make replacing one cylinder with another of a different brand (or a high security model) difficult or even impossible. Except the different sizes that KIK cylinders can have, they also can have one of several different style tails on the rear of the lock. A floating tail is where the tailpiece can rotate a certain amount without the cylinder itself rotating. A fixed tail is where the tailpiece cannot rotate without the cylinder rotating.

These are the most common types of locks, but there are other types that would make your choice even more difficult. You can save time just trusting the professionals of Locksmith Express Toronto and GTA.
This is one of the best solutions for you is to call them and to rely on his knowledge and experience.
Be sure that the present- day solutions for locking are so advanced in their technology, that you can get the best services when it comes down to unlocking,or locking installation for both your job place and home. Do not hesitate at all in case you still do not have any safety locking for any property you inhabit daily. You must be safe, as well as your beloved ones. You have to think about every single detail related with your home, office, villa etc. so quickly call Locksmith Express if you need fast, responsible, professional services at affordable prices.