Locks explained
The best British Standard lock for your front door
Which lock suits a wooden, uPVC or composite front door, and why.
Which lock suits a wooden, uPVC or composite front door, and why.
The best lock depends on the door. Here is what we usually recommend for the doors we see most across East London.
Wooden front doors
Most wooden front doors have two locks: a nightlatch, which shuts on the latch, and a mortice deadlock lower down. For good security and to meet most insurance policies, both should be to BS 3621.
- A BS 3621 5 lever mortice deadlock, which you lock with a key when you go out.
- A BS 3621 nightlatch with a deadlocking feature, so the latch cannot be slipped or pushed back.
In a flat or rented home, a BS 8621 lock may be better, because it opens from the inside without a key.
uPVC and composite front doors
These doors use a multipoint lock, which locks at several points down the edge of the door when you lift the handle and turn the key. The part to focus on is the euro cylinder, where the key goes in.
- Choose a TS007 3-star or Sold Secure Diamond cylinder. Both are tested against snapping.
- Get the right size. The cylinder should sit almost flush with the handle on the outside. One that sticks out is easier to attack.
- Consider a security handle if you keep a 1-star cylinder, to reach the full standard.
Extras worth having
A door chain or limiter, a letterbox guard and a door viewer are all inexpensive and make a real difference to how safe you feel when someone knocks.
Not sure which lock your door needs?
Call us. We will tell you on the phone, with the price for supply and fitting.
