Tamás Ő.
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Verified by
Sander D.
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Last updated:
July 11, 2024
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Your front door is the number one weak spot when it comes to home intrusions and burglaries. According to the police, very few criminals hustle with lockpicking or skeleton keys, and instead resort to kicking in the door. Another rapidly rising break-in method is cylinder snapping, which involves breaking the cylinder in order to manipulate the lock. Either way, you must pay extra attention when it comes to reinforcing your door. Professional locks and smart technology all contribute to a safer home, but very few know what qualities define actual security.
There are several factors that should be measured before choosing a lock. Cylinder quality is highly important, for instance, since it should withstand snapping attempts we mentioned previously. There are several certifications and approvals for cylinder quality, such as the Diamond standard or the Kitemark standard. But generally speaking, the more stars are awarded to the lock, the stronger the cylinder is. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) also established a grading system depending on the durability of the doorknob and deadbolts. There are three grades, and the first grade is considered to be the best, where knobs must withstand a 360 pound weight test, while the deadbolts must endure 10 strikes with a hammer.
Smart door locks are the frontiers of home automation, with smart technology finally making keyholes completely obsolete. The door can be unlocked in several ways, and none of them involves the traditional key. For example, the lock mechanism recognizes key fobs, key cards, or you can just remotely open it from your smartphone. The other advantage that comes from removing the keyholes is that burglars are unable to tamper with it in any way. In case the door is reinforced, a mere glance will convince them to look for another target. The remote access provided by smart locks allows you to check the door’s status right from your mobile, and open it temporarily when the kids arrive home or a package is received.
Fingerprint door locks were recurring elements in 20th century sci-fi movies, but they become easily accessible security additions in the 21st century. It’s important to note that despite the name, thumbs aren’t the only way to open a fingerprint door lock. Most versions currently sold on the market also accept numeric codes or key fobs. However, make sure to avoid those that also feature keyholes, because it creates an opening for crafty burglars. Fingerprint locks are capable of storing dozens of different profiles (aka thumb prints) which can be saved and managed from a computer. It allows you to create temporary entry for the neighbor or the gardener while away on a holiday.
After the dry background knowledge, let’s dive into the world of some of the top door locks. There are plenty offers available, thus we’ve chosen three outstanding candidates to kick off your research.
We’ve ventured into the world of door locks, but bear in mind that there are other ways to guarantee security. No fancy lock can fully prevent an intrusion if criminals manage to kick in or damage the door itself, for instance. A security bar or a door jammer is a clever way to keep such brutes out, since those contraptions are able to withstand more than 300 pound beatings. Reinforcing the door jamb is another trick to keep out uninvited guests. In case you seek a way to deter the intruders before they could do any damage to your door, then install a camera on the corner and point it on the entrance. Placing a door alarm or barking dog alarm is another budget-friendly option to scare away burglars early on.
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