Your house should be a sanctuary where you feel your safest; where you can escape the world and retire to it with peace of mind knowing that no one can get in if you don’t want them too. Having this type of safety comes with the responsibility of making it a reality. Your first line of protection at home is your home lock. Without a strong lock you may find yourselves with some unwanted guests – no one wants this to happen – therefore, understanding what type of lock you should install is crucial. Many people do not know the different types of locks and why certain ones are better than others. Being educated on these matters is an important safety to having peace of mind that your belongings are safe and most importantly your family is safe. If you want to start this process today get in touch with an efficient lock smith service as this can really make the difference.
The different types of locks for commercial and residential
When we are talking about locks, there are many different types of locks and grades depending on the strength of the lock. First, there are residential locks, commercial locks and automotive locks. We will be looking at what type of locks are suitable for residential and commercial use so you can make a more educated decision when evaluating a lock to see if its needs to be changed. Locks are graded on an ANSI grading system. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) established three grades for door locks to help identify the quality and durability of lock sets and deadbolts. Each lock must pass multiple tests, including cycles, door strikes and weight test. One cycle consists of the knob or handle turning completely to retract the latch bolt and open the door, and then it is released, allowing the door to re-latch.
The different grades are as follows:
- Grade 1 – Best
This is the highest security available and meets commercial building requirements; it is available for residential uses via deadbolts. There are no standard knobs, handle sets or mortise lockset that will meet ANSI Grade 1 certifications, only commercial lever handles. To achieve this grade:
Knobs must withstand 800,000 cycles, 6 door strikes and a 360 pound weight test
Deadbolts must withstand 250,000 cycles and 10 door strikes (hammer test)
- Grade 2 – Better
Meets light commercial building requirements; exceeds standard residential security and building requirements. To achieve this grade:
Knobs must withstand 400,000 cycles, 4 door strikes and a 250 pound weight test
Deadbolts must withstand 150,000 cycles and 5 door strikes (hammer test)
- Grade 3 – Good
Meets residential building requirements only and provides minimal residential security. To achieve this grade:
Knobs must withstand 200,000 cycles, 2 door strikes and a 150 pound weight test
Deadbolts must withstand 100,000 cycles and 2 door strikes (hammer test)
Hopefully this gives you insight on what type of locks you should be using based on your needs.
Cost of course can play a factor in these situations but a little extra cost is a small price to pay for peace of mind at home. If you are serious about upgrading your residential or commercial locks contact ABC Locksmith, ABC is an efficient locksmith service that can guide you through this process and give you the security you need.