Security Locks

Security Locks

Security locks are made of metal, usually steel or titanium, and have varying degrees of security, as well as installation difficulty and overall cost. Some are simple and common, like cylinder locks that are located in a door handle and provide a minimal degree of security, while others unlock large, solid steel bolts by means of biometrics, such as voice recognition, fingerprinting or a retinal scan. These security locks are only used in the most secure of locations, mostly for government and military buildings. Most locks are installed by a locksmith and require some degree of woodworking. Precise measurement is required for a lock to effectively latch open and shut. Some are only locked from the inside, while others are able to open from either side of the door and usually require a key of some kind.

There are three main types of locks: mechanical, electronic and biometric. Mechanical locks include pad locks, mortise locks and cylinder locks, all three of which are most commonly seen in residential and commercial buildings on doors and door frames. Some are designed for bathrooms and bedrooms within the interior of the building, while others, usually mortise locks, which are harder to pick or break, are often employed to secure doors to the outside. Hotels and higher security workplaces use electronic lock systems, which are keyless. In order to open them, the user must have an access code or password to type into a keypad or a plastic magnetized card. These are useful when the authorized users of the locking systems change often. The main securing component of a lock system is the bolt; a solid, strong steel or titanium rod piece with a round profile that, when the mechanism is locked, is inserted into the door frame to prevent the door from separating from the frame. They may be spring operated or a dead bolt, which is the most secure form.