Locksmith in Garforth – Lemon Locksmith & Security: 24/7

Locking the door is more like a reflex action. We don’t need to think about it or remember that we’re supposed to lock the door before heading out. But are those traditional locks enough for your home’s security? Today, intruders have become too smart for conventional lock systems. They are not hard to break. One push on the door and there you go! The question is how do you know your locks have been outdated and they require an upgrade? It’s definitely hard to tell.

Over the past few decades, we have seen the evolution of the locking mechanism. From simple door knobs to smart locks secured with passwords, lock systems have indeed come a long way. Discussing your goals with a locksmith Gatforth can help you choose the most efficient and secure lock system. In the meantime, we have discussed some reasons you should upgrade to smart door locks, features of digital locks, and some additional security tools you can install.

For Improved Security

It’s a no-brainer. The reason people upgrade their locks is to improve their business and home security. You wouldn’t want an intruder to get easy access to your place by breaking an outdated and damaged lock. Not just for the home’s security, but the locks you install on the doors can bring a significant change to the aesthetics of your place. If your lock has visible damages and it seems broken, rusty, and old, these are the signs your lock needs replacement.

Moving into a New House

The idea of changing your locks might slip your mind when you are moving into a new house. But, that’s the first thing a homeowner should do before settling into a new place. Not just for the rental apartment, but for a house you’ve built from scratch also needs a new lock so that you can have peace of mind knowing that no construction workers have keys to your place.

If you are moving into a rental apartment, rekeying your house or changing the lock system should be your priority. You wouldn’t want your landlord to get into your house in your absence or a previous tenant to break into your home. Knowing who has keys to your new apartment after you’ve changed the lock mechanism will give you complete control over your home’s security.

Aesthetically Appealing

If you are still using those clunky and outdated door locks, now is the time to replace them with something better. Your door is the first thing that people notice when visiting your place. You don’t want to leave a wrong impression on your visitors with an outdated door lock that’s full of rust and dirt. Fortunately, door locks are available in various styles, colors, designs, and options. Whether you like vintage stuff or modern smartphone-operated designs, the options are countless and you’ll surely find something that fits your individual needs and your interior designs.

You Need Advanced Security

If you live in an area with a high crime rate or you are scared somebody might break into your house when you are not around, upgrading your locks to smart door locks is your best bet. Technology has been growing exponentially, and not just for your appliances, but small stuff, like your door locks have also witnessed one of the biggest transformations.

You may have heard of or seen keyless door locks that operate with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touchscreen, and passwords. Fingerprint and face recognition systems have also been gaining immense popularity among homeowners. These locks are accompanied by alarms and alert systems.

Should someone try to gain unauthorized access to your place by typing in the incorrect password, the alarm will be triggered notifying your neighbors of a security breach at your place. Likewise, you can set an alert system that sends a security alert to the homeowner if an intruder tries to unlock their door. We will discuss these modern security locks later in detail.

You Often Get Locked Out of Your House

Imagine arriving home late at night only to discover that the keys to your main door are not in your wallet. You have scanned your car, purse, and everywhere but they are nowhere. At this point, you will be worried more about getting back in, rather than the security of your place. You may have to call emergency Locksmith Garforth to get back in.

Has this ever happened? If yes, you know the struggle of getting back inside. To avoid such issues, you can upgrade your door locks to keyless locks and ditch the keys forever. No need to bring the keys everywhere and risk losing and misplacing them. Modern locks are much more efficient, and smart, and involve keyless operation, making them the most comfortable option for modern homeowners.

Easily Customizable

Once you have upgraded to modern door locks, you don’t have to worry about replacing them every now and then. In fact, modern locks are designed to last for years and look as good as new ones. Rusting is never a concern and nor is there a risk of a burglar breaking into your home.

Although there’s still a possibility of a security breach, it takes a professional or tech-savvy intruder with great knowledge of hacking your security system to get access without getting caught. Usually, smart door locks come with advanced security tools, including cameras, alarms, and other security features that send an instant notification to the authorities within your area if any unusual activity is detected in or around your place.

These security tools are customizable and flexible enough to be integrated with new technology and other smart appliances in your place. The customization with cutting-edge security technology makes these locks homeowners’ favorite.

Types of Door Locks You Can Upgrade To

Now that you know the reasons your locks need replacement, let’s check out the options you have. Assuming that you are currently using traditional door locks, we’ve listed a few interesting options you might like. Check out the brief of each and select a door lock that fits your needs and budget.

Fingerprint Scanner

A sleek fingerprint scanner is a much better, aesthetically appealing, and premium lock system for modern houses. They look better and are considerably more efficient than push-button locks, which tend to wear over time. You will love these quick-to-open and robust door locks that operate on your fingerprints.

These are just like your smartphones that come with built-in fingerprint sensors. You can configure these locks to open with your fingerprints. You can add the fingerprints of other family members as well. These fingerprints can also be connected to your smart devices, allowing you to open and close the doors remotely.

Door Knob with Passwords

If you want to keep the traditional design of the door knob, this mix of traditional and modern door knobs is perfect for your home. There’s a conventional handle, but instead of the key, they open with a password. The keypad-style lock is super convenient and a safer alternative to your conventional door locks. In case you forget the password combination to the doors, it comes with a keyhole.

Smartphone-compatible Door Locks

Today, an increasing number of homeowners are switching to these mobile-operated door locks. Smart locks come with a sensor that sends your doors a signal to open and close when you send a prompt through an electronic device. It can operate on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a biometric sensor, or an access card.

These locks can also operate remotely. They come with added locking mechanisms, such as fingerprint sensors or keys, in case you can’t use your smartphones. You may have seen these doors in hotels where you get a key card that unlocks these doors and also switches on the lights. The doors lock automatically as you close them, thus saving you the struggle of locking them every time you go out.

Video Intercom

Video intercoms are also growing in popularity lately. Have you ever run towards the door and opened it only to find an unwanted guest? Having a camera that gives you a clear view of your outdoors and people at the door is a safer and more convenient option for homeowners. This increases your place’s safety and ensures that only trusted people are allowed in your place.

You can interact with the person through these video intercoms and handle them without letting them in. These are perfect for families with kids staying indoors and parents working at the office. The best part is you can open the door using the video intercom remotely if the door is optimized to work with wireless technology.

Push-and-Pull Door Lock

No matter how popular modern door locks get, the demand for traditional-style push-and-pull door locks will never fade. In fact, modern homeowners are switching to these locks to enhance their home’s security and make their security system stronger and more convenient.

The biggest benefit of these door locks is their compatibility with different lock systems. They work with passwords, key cards, and fingerprint sensors. You can choose the lock with one of these settings or multiple lock options for increased security. For senior citizens and people who are not comfortable with smart door locks, these traditional push-and-pull door locks make the best choice.

Fingerprint and Passcode Combined

At times, it’s not possible to unlock the door with your fingerprints. When your hands are full, wet, or not in a state to unlock the door, you may need additional door-unlock options. That’s when a passcode comes in handy. One of the many benefits of smart door locks is that they keep an activity log of people that unlocked the door. You can know at what time the doors were unlocked, helping you prevent security breaches.

Lock Chain Design

When you think of the lock chain design, the first thing that pops into your head is the traditional times when people used to lock their apartments with chains to prevent burglars from breaking into their apartments.

These might not be as secure and functional as the lock systems mentioned above, but they still offer some convenience and the ability to see the person on the other side of the door before letting them in. For increased security, there’s always an option to upgrade these locks to modern versions or use them in combination with passcodes and other modern lock mechanisms. It’s perfect for families with toddlers.

Super Secure Main Door Lock

The four-bolted design of super-secure main door locks makes it challenging for an intruder to break the locks with ordinary tools. These are just the variants of traditional door locks but are comparatively safer and offer excellent convenience. These are not keyless. They feature the basic latch handle and a sleek lock design that gives a wonderful touch to your doors. If you are looking for affordable and slim door locks that are barely visible but offer amazing security, try these four-bolted, incredibly affordable, and highly secure door locks for your homes.

Door Lock Types

If you want to combine modern door locks with traditional handles for extra protection or use those latch handles as standalone lock systems, there are multiple options to choose from. They vary in terms of design, security, and unlocking mechanism. The twist-locks, for instance, offer decent security to homeowners. They are ideal for restrooms, bedrooms, and cupboards.

Or, you can consider deadbolts, which are still considered a highly secure option for rental flats. They can’t be opened with cards, knives, or any other lock-breaking tool. These are highly advisable for homeowners with wooden, steel, and fiberglass doors. Here are some other door lock designs that are affordable, secure, and perfect for modern families.

Cylindrical lever locks
Mortise locks
Lever handle locks
Sliding door locks

These were just to name a few. There are dozens of options, each featuring impressive designs and robust security features. If you are confused, talk to Locksmith Garforth to discuss your options regarding the best door locks.

Things to Consider When Buying Door Locks

The door lock works as the first line of defense against burglars. You might not be living in a neighborhood with a high crime rate or a record of theft, but investing in a robust and high-quality door lock is a must to maximize the security of your space.

You need to consider a few factors when choosing a perfect lock system for your space. For example, the exteriors of the door require a keyed lock. These locks can’t be unlocked without a key, while the interiors can have a passage functional lock that works on both sides. This should be sufficient for the bedrooms and restrooms.

It’s important that you check the size, shape, and style of the door lock before buying it for your home. Here is the list of factors you need to take into consideration when choosing a suitable door lock for your home.

The Type of Door Lock

First things first, you need to decide on the type of door lock that’s most suitable for your home and the area you live in. For instance, for a homeowner living in a safe neighborhood or a place where intruders are highly unlikely to break into people’s apartments, traditional door locks, such as a deadbolt, might do.

If you spend most of your time outside, i.e. at the office or on business trips, you may need a modern door lock that’s equipped with fingerprint sensors or a password. Modern door locks might be a little expensive, but they pay for themselves in the long run. Unlike conventional locks, a modern fingerprint and password combined lock doesn’t need servicing or replacement every few months. They are also more than a lock. A modern lock comes with intelligent features, like notifying you of unusual activity.

Set a Budget

Modern door locks that come with multiple lock mechanisms and advanced features might seem an ideal solution to your home’s security requirements, but as mentioned above, they come with a high upfront cost. Plus, its installation and configuration can be extremely expensive. If you can pay a few hundred dollars extra, there isn’t a better option than smart door locks. But if it’s beyond your budget, we’d advise you to stick to the traditional locks.

Your Door Frames

Some doors are not compatible with smart locks. Old wooden doors, for example, can’t support fingerprint or touchscreen locks. These work on fiberglass or steel doors. Check the strength and type of your door frame to determine the most suitable door lock for your place. If necessary, replace your doors with modern doors that are compatible with smart locks and have a sturdy frame to accommodate nearly all lock mechanisms.

Bottom Line

Unless there has been a security breach reported recently in your neighborhood or visible damage in your lock mechanism, people don’t usually consider upgrading their locks. But, it’s better to upgrade your locks before an intruder breaks them. Hire a Locksmith Garforth to upgrade your lock system right away.