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The most underrated aspect of home security are most likely the locks on your doors. People use them every day, but pay them no mind in the grand scheme of things. There is no particular reason why this happens, I believe it simply works out that way. Locks and deadbolts are not as flamboyant or noticeable as alarm systems or surveillance cameras because they are an everyday part of our lives, so it is all too easy for people to overlook them. However, the fact that we do not pay attention to them until we need to do does not mean that they are any less important of a security feature. In fact, in addition to being the most underrated facet of home security, they are also one of the most important aspects of home security.

Imagine, if you will, how easy it would be for burglars to break into a home where there are no locks in place to stop them. Locks play an integral role in keeping homes, families, and valuables safe. This is why it is always important to make sure that you have the right lock in place at all times. It is hard to know what you need out of a lock if you have never bought one before, which a great majority of people have never done. This is why we are going to provide you with all the information you need to know before you go out and buy yourself a new lock. Homeowners might need to buy new door locks for a plethora of reasons. In some cases people are looking to upgrade the security of their locks, others are looking to replace damaged locks and some are simply looking for new locks for new doors. No matter what the reason is this list of things you need to know before you buy a new lock will definitely come in handy for you. And if you’re looking for the best house locks to buy, check out our Fluent smart lock equipment here.

1. The Kind Of Lock You Need

Now, locks do not come in a general format. There isn’t one type of lock that universally works for every door and every purpose. In fact, some locks are built with specific purposes in mind. In order to make sure that you are buying the right lock, you need to know which kind of lock you can install. There are several types of residential door locks that homeowners can pick from. These locks everything from handlesets, doorknobs, deadbolts, smart locks, to door levers. Each of these locks can be used for exterior or interior purposes, although some are best suited for specific locations. For example, a deadbolt lock will work exceedingly well on an exterior door and provide a good amount of security. On the flipside of things, a door lever lock is probably better suited for interior doors because they are not as strong or secure as deadbolt locks.

2. The Security Grade of The Lock

Many homeowners do not take advantage of the security grades of their locks because they probably do not even know that locks have security gradings. A majority of lock manufacturers have their locks tested, and then they are given a grading or rating. These numbers are meant to give a general idea of how strong, durable, and secure the lock will be. These locks are normally tested and graded by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). The locks are graded based on the number of cycles the lock can withstand before it begins to deteriorate, as well as the amount of force that they can stand up to. For example, ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts can withstand much more force than Grade 3 deadbolts and they last for 600,000 more cycles. So, if you’re buying security locks for the front door, you’ll want to consider a higher grade or rating.

When homeowners are going through the process of buying a new lock, it is important for them to pay attention to the grading and the rating of the lock. This will help them figure out how long their locks will last and it will help them choose the right lock that affords them a maximum amount of security.

3. Where The Lock Will Be Installed

The location of the lock is an extremely important part of this entire process, but some homeowners do not take it into consideration when they make plans to purchase new locks. A lock can only achieve its maximum potential if it is being utilized in the right way, and the location of the lock is a huge factor in determining that. Locks that are used on exterior doors demand higher security ratings and features, while interior locks can sometimes get by with minimal amounts of security. Also, the type of locks that you would install on your front door will be far different from the lock that you install on rear sliding glass doors. It is important to determine where you want the new lock to go so that you can buy the proper lock to best suit that location.

4. Features That The Lock Has

It is crucial to know what your lock is capable of before you buy one. This might seem vague so I’ll break it down a bit. As I stated earlier, locks do not come in one shape or size, which is why homeowners need to pay close attention to the features (locksets, keypads, smart lock technology, etc.) that their potential new locks have. There are some locks that have some tamper prevention locks built into them. For instance, some locks have anti-bump, anti-drill and anti-pick features that will help keep your home much more secure.

Also, for homeowners that choose to invest in smart locks, it is best to choose a smart lock that has the features that suit your lifestyle and this will easily fit into your home automation plans. There are several factors that come into play when it comes to figuring out which smart lock features will work best for your home. It is important to figure out whether the lock you are choosing is compatible with other smart technology you might have and whether or not you will be able to control through a smartphone or a smart home hub. In addition, some people like to choose smart locks that have remote access features that allow them to monitor and control the actions of their smart lock from remote locations. Locks are a key part of any smart home, and as such the features that they bring to the table are highly important. Homeowners need to figure out what they want out of their locks and then choose a lock that has features that are directly in line with this to ensure that they are getting a lock of best fit.

5. How The Lock Has To Be Installed

The installation process will essentially give homeowners some insight into whether they are buying the right lock or not. Learning more about the installation process will also help homeowners determine if they will need to hire a professional locksmith or if it is a job they can undertake themselves. However, this is not the only reason why someone will have to know how the lock is going to be installed. It is important to have this information on hand before you buy the lock because you will have to make sure that the installation process does not require you to make any changes to the hardware you already have in order for it to function properly. In the event that you do need to make any changes, learning about the installation process for the new lock will help you plan accordingly. Do keep in mind that the installation process of any lock is a secondary factor to all of the points listed above. It is not advisable to choose a lock that can be installed easily if it has subpar security features.

Conclusion

I hope this article helps people see just how important locks are and what exactly to consider before buying door locks. The process of buying a new smart lock is important to the state of your home security, and it should not be taken lightly. I hope that the points listed above will help you determine which lock will work best for your home, and I hope it will make the entire process much easier for you. This will prevent you from looking like a deer caught in headlights in a home depot aisle. It is important to remember that no matter your reason for buying new locks, the security, and safety of your home should always be at the forefront of your mind.

Author Bio

Ralph Goodman is a professional writer and the resident expert on locks and security over at the Lock Blog. The Lock Blog is a great resource to learn about keys, locks and safety. They offer tips, advice and how-to’s for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals.[:]