Various kinds of locks

Locks, keys and locking mechanisms have been with us since the dawn of civilization. Ancient man used locks and keys to secure palaces, homes, tombs, temples and burial sites for thousands of years. There’s a reason for this; locks work and while they are not infallible, they work well! Locks come in many materials, forms and sizes. From tiny padlocks that secure diaries to massive dial locks guarding bank vaults, locks are built to protect what we cherish and value. Here at Edina Locksmith we know the power of having and using a good lock. We’ve dedicated our local Edina, MN shop to providing the very best locks and locksmith service to local residents. Read on to see how varied and useful locks can be in your daily home, driving and work life.

A cheap lock is better than nothing but always use the best locks!

Which would you prefer on your home’s front door; a cheap lock, or none at all? Obviously you’d want some kind of lock on your door to protect your home but a really good lock would be ideal! This is why you should always insist on quality locks when installing, buying or replacing yours. Please note; quality does not mean expensive! Plenty of great locks from premiere lock makers are affordable and easy to purchase. Stick with well-established name brands, including Schlage, Kwikset, Marlock, InstaKey, Sentex, Kaba, Medeco, Baldwin, Abloy, Llco, ASSA, BiLock, Mul-T-Lock, Ace, American, Sentry, Master, Von Duprin and others of similar quality. Replace old, worn or damaged locks with new, sturdy ones that are installed correctly. Always opt for quality! There’s a saying “buy once; cry once” and that sort of implies a big expense but if you shop carefully or work with an established, full service locksmith shop, you’ll find ready access to great locks and locksmith bargains with just a few phone calls.

Choose the right lock for the job

A lock is a lock; right? Nope! All locks are not the same. You wouldn’t put a retina scanner on a high school locker, just like you wouldn’t put a deadbolt on a bank vault! It’s wise to use the appropriate lock for the right task. This involves doing your “homework” like making phone calls, asking questions and doing some online research. A faster and more results driven way is to simply work with a locksmith. Opt for a local one that has been in business for a while. Insist on your locksmith being full service as well as licensed, bonded and insured. You want a career professional; not a handyman that’s working towards his welding certificate! Having access to this level of lock professional gets you access to expertise that is invaluable when making a lock buying or replacing decision.

Deadbolt locks

The simple deadbolt is so under rated! They are commonly found on front doors all over the country. There’s a reason for that; they work. Deadbolt locks have a turntable knob on one end and a key slot on the other. The lock is installed so that only a key can unlock the deadbolt from the outside. A sturdy deadbolt, securely installed can thwart a burglar by buying the homeowner extra time to either arm himself or call police. Most burglars will give up and not pick or bump open a second lock after they have bypassed the first, main door lock. Like anything else, your deadbolt lock must be used to be effective.

High security locks

These locks are virtually pick proof as they are solidly built of steel parts that are engineered to resist kicking in, drilling, bumping and even shooting! They are a little more costly than “regular” door locks but very much worth it in terms of added security and greater peace of mind.

Padlocks

The trusty padlock has stood the tests of time. Their advantages are that they are portable, lightweight, affordable, and they do the job of locking our high school lockers, sheds, gates, garage door tracks, fencing and dozens of other uses. They can be operated with a standard combination dial or they can use a keypad or even have a key backup.

Cam locks

Cam locks are rounded locks found on file cabinets, desk drawers, commercial washing machines and other items. The “cam” or tail rotates and that is what secures the lock. Cam locks are not very secure and are easy to pick, pry or smash open so be sure to keep only low-level security items stored in cam lock protected drawers or cabinets.

Knob locks

You can usually locate knob locks in home and business settings. They are used inside the building as well as outside. Easy to buy, easy to install, and easy to break into are what they are known for. Their simple spring lock construction provides very minimal security as half their function is to simply open the door and the cylinder is actually in the knob and not the door. For maximized security, knob locks are best used with a deadbolt lock. Knob locks give the impression that the door is secure but in reality, they are so easy to bypass by smashing the knob or prying it off that there’s no use in actually picking the lock.

TSA padlocks

These are somewhat new. They are a form of padlock approved by the Transportation Security Administration to secure luggage. These locks work on a combination code and TSA can access them via a master key if they need to open your luggage. If you fly within the US, you’ll notice these TSA locks on luggage and carry-on bags.

Smart locks

With the huge increase in smart phone use, smart locks have emerged as a new technology. They replace the thumb turn side of your lock and can be remotely operated using your smart phone. You can add smart locks directly on top of your existing lock for enhanced security and protection. This is an emerging technology that you’ll see more and more of in the near future.