In the U.S. a burglary occurs about every 23 seconds This isn’t just a city problem as break-ins happen even more in countryside.
Keeping your family and your valuable belongings safe starts with choosing the right locks and the best way to do it is by hiring a certified locksmith and follow his instructions.
In the meantime our expert technician have written this post blog for people just like you who are not sure which type of lock is best for their home, so keep on reading and learn the differences between deadbolt locks and latch locks:
Latch locks
A standard doorknob is a single-latch lock which has a spring-loaded metal piece that retracts when the door is open and lock into place when the door is close. A dead latch doesn’t have a spring-loaded mechanism and it offers more security.
In generally the latch can be locked with a key from the outside and with a turn-style lock button from inside.
The most notable feature latches locks present is that they can be set to lock automatically when the door shuts, which some consider to add extra safety and others find it a glitch that leads to a lockout situation.
Deadbolt locks
Deadbolts are usually installed on exterior doors right above the doorknob as a second layer of protection.
Since they are not connected to a knob, they can’t be opened by tampering with the knob mechanism and unlike spring-loaded locks deadbolts locks can not be locked automatically, but instead they have a solid metal piece that goes all the way into the door frame when you turn the key.
Deadbolt locks come in 2 types single-cylinder and double-cylinder. A single-cylinder deadbolt has a key on the outside and a thumb turn on the inside and it is the most common type and is easy to use, on the other hand the double-cylinder deadbolt has a key on both sides and considered more secure but less convenient.
Both types come in 3 level security grade defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which means the deadbolt has passed many tests for durability and resistance to forced entry.
Deadbolts with an ANSI 3 rating are the most stronger and durable offering the most superior protection for your home.
Which Lock is Best for Your Home?
The best answer is: both, latch locks and a deadbolt locks. A latch lock by itself is a perfect choice for interior doors like bedrooms and other rooms you want to keep privacy, they are easy to use even for kids and are much more cheaper to install.
Deadbolt locks offers better security and are usually installed in addition of doorknobs and they provide greater security, our recommendation for better security is that on your front and back doors use an ANSI level 3 grade.
Call a locksmith expert and get his advice before you decide
Choosing the right lock can be tricky for the unprofessional naked eye, that’s why an expert locksmith can definitely help you make the right decision whether you need a deadbolt or a latch lock.
