How to Choose a Door Lock

Consumer Reports found that many deadbolt locks don't provide the amount of security that you might want or expect. A few well-placed kicks or a few minutes under attack from a cordless drill was all it took in our labs to beat nearly every door lock in our ratings. Traditional deadbolts, electronic locks with keypads, and smart locks—those controlled by a smartphone or smart speaker—all fall under this category. Here are the main points:

• Get to know Lock Lingo.

• Determine how much money you have available.

• Decide if you want a smart lock or not.

•  Strengthen the doorframe and the lock.

1. Get to know Lock Lingo.

The conventional and smart deadbolts we've examined are usually single-cylinder, with a key (or keypad and PIN code) on the outside and a thumb-turn on the inside. Hardened cylinders, unique pin arrangements, and other defences are included in the high-security locks. Grades 1 to 3 in the industry appears to correspond to our classifications, with Grade 1 locks being the most difficult to disable. However, because packages don't always include this information, you may need to go to a company's website to discover out how a lock is rated.

2. Determine how much money you have available.

A Medeco-caliber high-security lock may appear pricey, and smart locks aren't cheap either. However, if you have a break-in, your homeowner's insurance deductible is likely to be more than the cost of the lock. Houses with deadbolts are frequently eligible for insurance discounts.

3. Decide if you want a smart lock or not.

You might be put off by the expense of a smart lock, but before you dismiss it, think about the convenience it provides. If you frequently forget to lock your door or need to let contractors or cleaners in while you're not at home, a smart lock can be quite useful.

Smartphone apps and optional remote locking and unlocking functions help smart locks tackle these issues. Just keep in mind that remote access normally necessitates the use of a WiFi bridge, which comes at an additional cost. (Wifi isn't incorporated into most smart locks since the chips are too power-hungry for the AA batteries that generally power them, but that is changing.) If you're thinking about getting a smart lock but don't want to pay extra for WiFi, an electronic lock might be the way to go. This model has a keypad and can configure and distribute PIN codes to different guests, but it can't communicate with your smartphone.

4. Strengthen the doorframe and the lock.

Weak doors, especially hollow-core doors, may fail before the lock. Use a box strike made of heavy-duty metal and mount it using the screws provided, regardless of the type of lock you choose. Installing 3-inch screws into your existing striking plate is another option. 3-inch screws should also be used to secure hinges.

However, you might not want to invest in a double-sided lock because many towns consider them a fire hazard because they require a key to unlock the door from the inside, potentially trapping you inside. However, if installed on a door with glass sidelights, they can provide peace of mind by preventing a would-be burglar from breaking the glass and reaching inside to unlock the thumb-turn.

Founded in 2005, WUXI GMB International Corporation is a leading exporter and professional supplier of door hardware products, including lock body, door handle, lock cylinder, padlock, door hinge, ball-bearing slide and other furniture hardware. With a strong background of over 15 years in the hardware locks industry, GMB has established long-term business relations with relevant companies in many countries and regions. We have constantly expanded business and volume has increased year by year. We are paying close attention to the exploitation and cultivation of the market and focus on developing, designing and producing high-quality products.