Check out this guide to the most common forms of locks we install at Chicago homes and businesses today, as prepared by the professional team here at Chicago Locksmiths.
Deadbolt Locks
This is one of the most popular types of locks for exterior doors. They come in single cylinder deadbolt lock, double cylinder deadbolt lock, lockable thumbturn deadbolt lock, and vertical deadbolt lock varieties. Deadbolt locks are also regularly used along with smart locks or electronic keypad locks.
Multipoint Locks
These locks provide a great deal of security and cover most of a door’s height. They extend and retract at multiple areas and lock on the top, bottom, and middle of doors. They are often found on large doors, sliding doors, or French doors.
Mortise Locks
This common lock type has a complicated structure and is mounted inside doors rather than on the door’s surface. The mortise pocket is formed in the door to fit the locket. They protect against break in attempts and come with 3 or 5 levers, providing better security. They are commonly used on entry doors, commercial doors, and residential doors.
Barrel Bolt Locks
Sliding bolt locks are somewhat traditional ,however they provide robust security. They come in many different metal types and sizes, and utilize a sliding metal bolt and a catch plate. They are used on heavyweight gates, windows, public bathroom doors, cabinets, and much more.
Disc Locks
These are often considered somewhat more modernized padlocks, and like traditional padlocks, can be detached, but provide better security than traditional padlocks. They are made of stainless steel and have a thick circular structure that is very durable and usually uses a pin tumbler mechanism. They can either be keyed or operated with numerical combinations. They are often used on bikes and motorcycles as well as gates and storage units.
Electric Strike Locks
Pretend with electricity, these locks receive a signal to unlock the door and remain locked at all other times. They are placed on the door frame to hold the bolt or latch, and only release when a signal is received. They are often used along with other locking mechanics like keypad door locks. Electric strike locks come in fail secure and fail safe varieties. Fails secure locks keep doors locked whether there is power or not, and use panic bars to accommodate exit. Fail safe locks unlock the door when the power supply is cut.
Keypad Locks
These locks remove the need for a key and can work with a numerical keypad that’s battery powered. Electronic lock mechanisms are often backed by deadbolt locks and mortise locks. Modern keypad locks enhance locking systems by improving access distribution, with their remote locking, unlocking, and access logging features. They are often found in hotels, offices, and apartment complexes.
