Worried about your personal safety? Are you considering changing the locks on your door as a means of adding security to your home? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, according to one survey conducted by Home Depot in 2011, only 33% of respondents were confident that their homes were safe from burglary.
In light of this startling statistic, it’s no wonder that many people are thinking about taking action and installing new locks on their doors. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your locks, this is a great place to start. Before you go out and buy a new set of locks for your door, read this – here are 5 things you should know before going out and buying a new set of locks!
5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a New Lock
1. You don’t need to change your locks every time you move into a new home
While it might be tempting to go out and buy a new set of locks every time you move into a new home, this isn’t necessary. In fact, most locks can last for up to 10 years without needing to be replaced.
2. It’s important to have the right lock for your door
The first thing to consider when installing new door locks is what type they will be. There are many options on the market today, but not all locks are built with your best interests in mind. When choosing a new lock, it’s important to remember that one should never choose a lock simply because it is at hand, or because you think it looks nice – always consider security first!
There are more than a few different types of locks on the market, so here’s a quick breakdown:
- Deadbolt – this type of lock bolts into the floor with two to three-inch bolts, creating a formidable obstacle against intruders trying to kick in your door
- Spring bolt – this lock is great for people that feel like they might be at risk of an intruder trying to break their door down. It bolts into the floor, using one of three different methods of holding its place
- Ball-bearing – This type of lock is ideal for homes that are constantly being accessed by multiple members of the family or are frequently used by overnight guests. One side of the lock is pushed in and turned to allow access, and then pulled out when they leave
- Chain – this type of lock is great for people that need to give their door an extra bit of stability while still allowing them access into their home. The chain allows you to secure a solid bar across the base of the door, creating a “door within a door” that is simple to unlock from the inside of your home
- Lever handle – this type of lock makes it easy for people to use their knuckles rather than fingers to open and close the lock. It makes the locks accessible for those with arthritis or other mobility issues
- Mortise lock – this is a high-security type of lock that is often installed in commercial buildings or in homes where heavy-duty security is need
When shopping for a new set of locks, another important thing is to make sure you get the right size lock for your door. This is because if you get a lock that’s too big or too small, it won’t fit properly and could end up being ineffective.
3. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on locks to get quality security
You might be tempted to go out and buy the fanciest, most expensive locks available because you think that they provide the best protection against burglars. However, this isn’t necessarily true; in fact, some of the cheapest locks can offer up just as much protection as their expensive counterparts.
4. Ensure the locks are all compatible and don’t forget to re-key your locks
When you’ve decided on the locks you want to install, the next step in installing new door locks is to ensure they are all compatible. All too often, people choose different types of locks for different parts of their door, and when they run into problems it can be incredibly frustrating.
Moreover, don’t forget that it’s important to ask the locksmith if they can also re-key your old lock as well. This is something that many people forget about, but it’s important because having an old key lying around could be very dangerous.
5. Installing new locks on your door isn’t the only way to protect your home
If you’re looking for a more effective means of protecting your belongings, there are other things you can do to keep burglars out – for example, installing security cameras or motion sensors -and a good locksmith will be able to advise you on the best way to go about this.
So if you’re thinking about changing your locks, remember that there’s no need to rush into it and that there are many things you should consider before going out and buying a new set of locks for your door. However, as long as you’re thorough and get the proper measurements, you should be able to pick out a great new set of locks for your door that will add another layer of security. After all, there’s nothing like peace of mind!
