Various Kinds of Locks

As technology improves, the variety of locks on the market also changes. So, nowadays, there are so many locks available that it can even become confusing when you have to select just one lock from the many choices that you have. But, don’t let the many choices that you have overwhelm you. There is a way to go about selecting a lock by an easy process of elimination.

Locks, Locks and More Locks

Have you ever passed a business place in a very vulnerable area that has a ton of locks on its doors? In many cases, they are the same type of lock but they are all used just to increase security. There are many different types of locks on the market today though. Some of those locks may have been better replaced by another type that could have offered more protection.

So, how many types of locks are there? A lot. There are so many variations of one type of lock too. No matter why you need a lock, where you intend to place it, how much you are willing to spend or how much security you need that lock to provide, you just may be able to find a few options to suit your need. Of course, it may be easier to find some locks in comparison to others. But, that is usually based mostly on supply and demand of the product.

How Many Types of Locks Exist?

Let us look at some of the types of locks that are pretty common among business owners and homeowners. If you are currently looking for a lock, one of these types may appeal to you.

  • Padlocks –These are a very common type of lock and perhaps the only type of mobile lock. One of the best things about padlocks is their mobility. You can easily move them from one area to another. Of course, there are a few variations to the padlock. There are some that only require a key to be opened while others need a key to be both opened and closed. There are even some that require a combination to be opened. With so many variations within this single type of lock, there is certainly a lot of options for you if you are interested in purchasing a padlock.
  • Deadbolt – Deadbolts are one the safest locks that do not cost a lot of money. They come in a lot of forms too. You can get deadbolts for exterior home doors, commercial exterior and interior doors and even for garage doors. There are quite a few types too. Some require a key for both sides of the lock while others don’t. They even come in keyless options these days.
  • Furniture locks – As the name suggests, these types of locks are made to secure your furniture. If you have a cabinet for you to store liquor away from your kids, you may have one of these locks on it. Furniture locks are used on filing cabinets and desk drawers too. You can find them in residential properties as well as commercial. They can really come in handy when it comes on to securing important documents or other important items.
  • Knob lock – The knob lock is quite popular too. If you have a deadbolt on the door at your home. Chanced are you have a knob lock too. While knob locks do not offer as much security as a deadbolt, when they are used as a combination, they offer a lot more security. Knob locks are easy to recognize. From their name, you can have a pretty good idea of what they look like. The knob on these locks open or lock the door on one side while the key is used on the other side.
  • Lever handle locks – Lever handle locks are usually reserved for interior doors but there are some versions that are made just for exterior doors. They can be opened several ways- with keys or without. Either way, these locks can really beef up the amount of security that you have on your property.
  • T-handle lock – A lot of people may not be familiar with this type of lock. They are most commonly used on vending machines, but they can be used elsewhere too. If you have a garage door lock, it may be a T-handle lock. These locks offer a fair amount of security and they are very easy to replace if they go bad.
  • Keyless entry systems –There is very little need to explain what these locks are about. The name says it all. They are locks that do not require keys. They are some of the most expensive locks on the market today but they have also been given the title of most secure. There are many ways that you can access these systems too. You can use pass codes, fingerprints, iris detection, full body scan, RFID cards and much more. The access method that your system requires often determines the level of security that it provides.

Choosing the Perfect Lock

Before you select a lock, you should make sure that it will suit the purpose that it will serve. Can you imagine purchasing a padlock for your drawer? That would make absolutely no sense unless you will be installing some other device on that drawer so the padlock becomes relevant. Make sure you check your budget too. With all the different types of locks that are available, there are different costs associated with them too.

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