Which door locks are the most reliable - recommendations for choosing. Which locks are the most secure? Rating of level locks

16.10.2023

Only the most reliable locks for entrance doors can ensure security and protect your home from intrusion. Perhaps the front door lock is a more important element than the door itself and the material it is made of.

Flimsy, unreliable and Chinese locks in combination with the durable material of a wooden entrance door will not give the desired result of protective properties and will be hacked at the first opportunity. Whatever one may say, the choice of locks for the front door should be approached with special care and responsibility.

Finding a good lock for your front door yourself is not as easy as it seems at first glance. It is better to trust a qualified specialist in this matter, who, based on his knowledge and experience, will be able to advise you on the most reliable mechanism in terms of burglary resistance, which will serve you for a long and faithful service.

Sometimes it is practiced to sell doors with built-in locks, but, unfortunately, the degree of their reliability is often questionable, especially if they are Chinese, or simply do not meet all consumer requirements for providing protection.

As experience shows, it is most convenient, both for your pocket and for confidence in the reliability of the mechanism, to purchase locks for your front door from the same company where your door block was ordered. Moreover, it is not at all in their interests to offer you Chinese or other untested devices.

If this is not possible, look for separate locking devices, but mostly new models. Since opening and breaking techniques have not yet been developed for them, they will be more reliable. In addition to the obvious advantage, the acquisition of new models is fraught with significant financial costs, both during purchase and installation.

Door lock installation method

It is necessary to have a good understanding of the types of locks according to the installation method, so that the purchase and installation of a locking mechanism will be a success and not a mistake.

Thus, the types of locks for entrance doors are divided into padded, overhead and mortise mechanisms.

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Simplicity of the hinged mechanism

Padlocks, it’s worth clarifying right away, are not used for wooden or metal entrance doors; they are intended for equipping gates and other similar structures. Simply put, where padlocks or mortise locks cannot be used.

Traditional hinged locks are durable, but not very reliable during operation. The closure of such a device occurs through a shackle, which is not difficult for attackers to crack or simply rip off if they have available tools.

If we talk about the material of the mechanism, then brass will make the job of robbers even easier, but cast iron will force them to put in more effort. The most resistant to physical hacking is a lock in a steel case.

Questionable aesthetics of the rim lock

A padlock on an entrance door has more advantages than a padlock, but it is still not installed on metal door leaves, rather than on wooden ones.

Installing an overhead locking device on a metal door inevitably leads to an increase in the overall cost of the structure.

In addition, such a lock can rarely be combined with the block door, due to the protruding part of the blade intended for attaching the seal.

And the aesthetics of the product are completely lost due to the installation of the mechanism on the inner visible side of the canvas.

Popularity of mortise devices

Mortise locks, undoubtedly, can be called the most popular and most often used to equip both metal and wooden doors. They are located inside the canvas, performing the function of protection and fastening. Unlike hinged ones, mortise mechanisms are not visible on the surface of the canvas, which looks very neat and aesthetically pleasing.

The mortise mechanism, in turn, differs in the type of mounting: insertion and mortise. Of course, installation is easier using the piercing method, because it is done in accordance with the lock, the locking plate of which will be visible at the end.

As for the insertion method, despite its complexity of installation, it is a guarantor of reliability and safety. The difficulty of installation lies in the need to locate the hatch on the inner sheet of the door.

Features of locking mechanisms

The level of its resistance to unauthorized burglary depends on the technical characteristics of the lock, and especially the operating principle. Locking mechanisms for wooden doors are cylinder, lever and crossbar.

Each of them has certain advantages and disadvantages, by comparing which you can choose the most reliable locks that best meet your requirements.

Cylinder mechanism: convenience and reliability

The principle of its operation is to line up small pins at the required positions when inserting a figured key into the well. If you try to open such a mechanism with a master key, as a result of missing at least one groove, the lock will immediately jam, which is quite problematic.

Locks with a cylinder mechanism are quite reliable, but still have one significant drawback, which is the weak point of the mechanism - the cylinder. Due to its design, it is quite easy to knock it out or drill it out. To avoid such situations and to smooth out the deficiency, special armored linings and balls are used to prevent direct access to the device.

When you try to drill, the drills will break from contact with the balls inside the mechanism, and the armored plates will prevent knocking out, as they strengthen the structure well.

In addition to this disadvantage, cylinder locks have a huge and undeniable advantage - ease of use and repair. If you lose the key or jam the well, you will not be forced to completely change the lock body, but only replace the cylinder, after which the mechanism will function correctly again.

The perfection of a lever lock

Like the cylinder, the lever mechanism can be found in almost every entrance door. The operating principle is based on plates (levers) located inside the lock. The interaction of the levers and their insertion into the corresponding grooves ensures the locking of the lock and the entrance door.

The degree of burglary resistance of a locking device is determined by the number of levers; to ensure complete security, the minimum number of plates must be at least six. It is impossible to get close to the keyhole; its narrow dimensions exclude the possibility of intelligent hacking.

As for physical hacking, there will also be a problem for attackers, since the lever mechanism is one of the possessors of a high degree of anti-vandalism.

To summarize the above, an entrance door with a lever lock can rightfully be considered reliable, especially when installing the device indoors. Have no doubt, the reliability and protective properties of the lever mechanism are excellent not only when equipped on a metal door, but also on a wooden one.

Questionable reliability of the deadbolt lock

If you are the owner of a high-quality steel door, it is not recommended to use the deadbolt mechanism as the dominant locking device, other than as an additional lock on the front door.

This advice is explained by the low level of security of the device, which can be easily opened with a master key, and the level of secrecy leaves much to be desired. The deadbolt lock is unlocked with a rather heavy key, which is not convenient to use and can be easily copied.

Required number of locks

How many locking devices do you need on one door to be sure of the safety of your home? Two is just right. The traditional, and perhaps the most competent combination of locks is cylinder + lever.

What can be gained by resorting to such a scheme? Firstly, the greater the number of combinations the cylinder lock key has, the more difficult it will be to break into the mechanism using a selection of keys and a master key. Secondly, the lever mechanism is massive and durable, which means that it is not as easy to open it with a primitive tool as it might seem at first glance.

Additional measures to protect against hacking

To ensure that an intruder who does not enter the apartment through the door cannot easily leave it by opening the lock from the inside, the door leaf is equipped with a special lock pocket. It blocks the path to the secret mechanism and fastening the lock from inside the room.

By installing the armor plate under the covering sheet of the canvas, next to the lever mechanism, opening it will be difficult to achieve. And installing an armored cup helps prevent the cylinder from being knocked out or drilled out. Its price is quite reasonable, and it would be extremely unreasonable to refuse to install it.

There are some established rules, following which will not only provide reliable protection of property, but also ensure a long service life of the locking product:

buy products exclusively in specialized stores to get competent advice;
do not purchase locks below resistance class III, which require about 10 minutes to open;
choose devices with a minimum number of combinations of 100,000;
When purchasing, pay attention to the appearance of the device and its component keys. Chinese and other low-quality locks are made in a handicraft or semi-handicraft way.

You can tell whether a product is of high quality or not by using the brand name applied to the keys using an industrial method. Then you can be sure that the keys have a highly clean finish and a complex shape of the working part.

It is very important to find the correct answer to the question: “Which lock is best to use for the front door?” This is as important as choosing the canvas itself.

We can say that your safety and the reliability of your home will depend on the characteristics of your door lock. So which option is best to cope with the task at hand?

Security classes

First, you should understand the security classes that apply to door locks. The following categories are distinguished:

Helpful information:

Class 1 - these are the most common and simple locks that have a weak mechanism and can be broken into in just a couple of minutes;
Class 2 - the mechanism is a little more complicated than the previous one, but an experienced burglar will not have any difficulty opening it in 7-10 minutes;
Class 3 - as a rule, this is a fairly reliable mechanism that requires a lot of effort and time; to open such a lock you will need a professional who could handle it in at least 20 minutes;
Class 4 is the safest and most reliable. Locks of this security class are very difficult to crack even for experienced specialists using specific equipment, and it will take about 30-40 minutes.

Let's look at the simplest and most unreliable type of lock. This type of locking mechanism is also called a rack and pinion lock. How does he work? In order to open such a lock while inside the room, you just need to pull the 2 levers that protrude. They, in turn, move the bolts and unlock the lock. Burglars can take advantage of this simplicity. It will be enough for them to use a wire with a loop, inserting it into the keyhole.

The key to a deadbolt lock looks like a long, flat plate with grooves on the sides. We strongly recommend that you do not use this type of lock on your front door. Consider a different model instead. We also note the significant disadvantages of this castle:

doors with a deadbolt lock often slam shut, and it will be very difficult for you to enter the room back;
the bolt may jam. And if this happened when closing the door, then you may not notice how you left and left the door unlocked.

Cylinder locks

These locks from the mid-19th century are still very popular today due to their ease of use. The main and important advantage is that it is easy to repair and directly replace. In cylindrical locks, it is enough to replace the central mechanism - the “cylinder”, in which, when the key is turned in the lock, the movement is transmitted to the crossbars and the lock is unlocked. The key to such a lock has only one specific combination. The principle of operation of the lock is very simple - the pins inside the cylinder must be arranged in a certain order. In our time and taking into account the latest technologies, the castle has undergone slight changes. And now washers, blocks, and probes are already used to replace pins. The cylinder lock will not open if the pin combination is broken. The secrecy of these locks, of course, depends on the number of pins; accuracy in their manufacture, the possibility of various height combinations, and, of course, protection against master keys are also important.

Level castle

When trying to find an excellent lock and answer our question, it is worth focusing on a good option, such as a lever mechanism. What is its feature? Inside this lock there are levers that block the position of the locking bolts. To open the door, you definitely need a “native” key. This key looks like a long rod with plates on the sides at the very edge. These plates have special notches and cutouts. It is thanks to these irregularities that movement occurs in the castle. If one of the notches does not fit into its specific place, the crossbars will not move. Accordingly, the lock will not open.

There will be problems with hacking such a mechanism. It will take a lot of time to find the key. Use additional armor plates, which will also protect your lock from being cut out by power tools. This type of lock can be safely recommended for the front door of your home (house, apartment).

Cross lock

There are other types of mechanisms. Consider a cross-shaped lock. By looking at the key, you can easily determine that it is a cross-shaped lock. The key looks like a Phillips screwdriver. And this is its minus. If you remove the plate and get into the cylinder, you can turn it using a screwdriver. Of course, this cannot be called a good defense. It will not be difficult for those who want to enter the house.

Cylinder pin lock

These locks are available in several models. They are installed on metal entrance doors and used on interior doors.

However, here it is worth paying attention to the difference in modifications when installing a lock on the front door. Typically, a cylinder pin lock can be made with an English key or a perforated one. The first option is not suitable for the front door, since it has very low privacy. It is not difficult to hack and it will take no more than 3 minutes. Often such locks are used only for interior doors. Locks with English keys work on the principle of selecting pin combinations. However, they are very different in the small number of combinations when compared with a cross-shaped cylinder lock.

Now let's turn our attention to cylinder pin locks with perforated keys. In this case, the degree of protection is higher - class 2, 3, 4, depending on the presence of additional protective mechanisms. Of course, you can hack such a lock, but it is quite difficult and will take a lot of time. The only quick way is to knock out or drill out the “larva”. But, given that the lock can be equipped with additional protection, this makes the job very difficult for ill-wishers. If there are armor plates and protective plates, hacking will take about 40 minutes, and it will be very noisy.

Cylinder disc lock

The main difference from other cylinder locks is the presence of movable disks, which are used instead of pins. The key has a semicircular cross-section with cuts that are made at a certain angle. Such locks have high secrecy, since they do not use height selection, but the discs are aligned at a certain angle, which makes the task of breaking much more difficult. Another advantage is that it is not possible to drill out the cylinder, as this causes it to rotate.

Euro cylinders with increased protection

In order to provide maximum protection and security to homes, manufacturers use the latest technology for the secret mechanism. As a result of their developments, increased protection Eurocylinders appeared. To open them, it will take the same time as for a cylinder pin with perforated keys, which is about 40 minutes. But at the same time, the opening will not be without significant noise. The principle of operation of the lock is similar to the others, however, the lock has unique characteristics, which provide a high level of protection.

Such locks are produced for metal doors of the brands Kale, Cisa, Mul-T-Lock, Mottura, Vachette, Asix, Iseo. And everyone has something unique about the secret mechanism.

For example, Kale and Cisa cylinders have carbide inserts at the end, which protect them from drilling. Cisa and Mottura castles also have this type of protection. Their first pin is made of refractory metal. Drilling it out will also be either very difficult or impossible. Other locks are equipped with protective armor inserts and have a titanium body. This protects against the possibility of breaking out. All locks with hole cylinders have the highest degree of security, which is 1.5 million combinations. However, as was said earlier, such a serious lock is protected from burglary, but not from ordinary knocking. Therefore, if you still choose Euro cylinders, which also cost a lot of money, be sure to make sure that there are additional protective linings.

The protective properties described above are not the only ones used in Euro cylinders. They can also be equipped with floating elements or have a magnetic insert. Such innovations help increase the degree of protection and raise it, so to speak, to the highest level. With this lock it will be impossible to find a key, and even if you make a cast of the key, it will not work. The price corresponds to the quality and is approximately $100 or more.

Disc lock

This type of lock is reliable, but it is still one of the simplest mechanisms. What are they? These are locks with a security system, which is based on a combination of disc positions. The discs are turned in the lock using a key. The key looks like a short rod, semicircular in cross-section, with cutouts on one side.

However, this fairly simple mechanism is well protected from the harmful effects of the external environment. Therefore, it can be used on outdoor structures that do not contain any important items or valuables. It is better not to use such a lock for your home. The disc lock is often used to improve padlocks.

Electromechanical lock

When choosing a lock, be sure to pay attention to more advanced models that will increase the level of protection for your home. We will talk about an electromechanical lock.

This lock is an improved version of the deadbolt lock model. The main difference will be the absence of a key. To open the door you need to use a remote control, magnetic card or other device. If the lock is equipped with a tool such as a scanner, then you can use the fingerprint recognition function. The downside in the latter case is that burglars can use a photograph or fingerprint from the owner’s finger. Well, master keys will not help in this case - they are useless. Cracking an electromechanical lock will require not only time, but also special tools.

Electromagnetic lock

Another representative of our time is the electromagnetic lock. Its principle is that the door is held in place by an electromagnet, which is controlled by a controller. A similar principle is used in doors with intercom. To open the door you must have a special magnetic key, or you can use a code.

The important thing in this case is that your protection depends on electricity. And if problems arise with it, the door will stop working and protect your home. Therefore, when using an electromagnetic lock, install another type of lock so that in such force majeure situations your home remains protected.

Latch

We attribute this device not to the locks themselves, but to additional mechanisms and security tools. Of course, when you leave the house, the lock plays the role of protection. And when you and your family are at home, such a small device as a latch will help you further protect yourself from unwanted guests getting inside.

The latch is installed only on the inside. You just have to turn it and the door additionally closes with another bolt. It is not visible because it is hidden in the door structure. It is difficult to hack, because the burglar does not see it and does not know where it is. In this case, it is important that the door fits tightly to the frame. Otherwise, the bolt can be identified and cut off. The fit of the door to the frame is an important aspect regarding any lock.

It is also important to take this fact into account when choosing and installing a quality door. After all, the door can also simply be cut off its hinges. Pay attention to the quality of the metal if you don’t want your door to be opened bypassing the lock using a regular can opener.

Even if you have already chosen a lock that you like and suits your needs, it is better not to limit yourself to just one. Consider your options. It would be optimal to use a lever and cylinder mechanism, for example. For greater protection, you can use a hidden electronic lock and a latch from the inside. The ideal option would be to have additional means of protection - armored linings, hinged locking bolts, alarms, etc.

Stammer

Today there are several types of locking devices on the market, which differ in manufacturer, type of mechanism and materials. Each type of locking device has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Manufacturers often install on metal doors to apartments lever devices. They are characterized by a high degree of reliability and are considered one of the most practical and durable. On the other hand, the homeowner is faced with the need to lock the lock with a bulky key on both sides. However, this feature does not affect the demand for lever models among buyers. Thus, the branded entrance blocks of the “Shop Door” company are traditionally produced with lever-type mechanisms Mottura, Mettem and Kale.
Not inferior in popularity to the above-mentioned models cylinder locking devices, for which it is extremely difficult to find a key or master key. An important advantage of cylinder devices is their high maintainability. If the owner loses the keys to the cylinder mechanism, any workshop will quickly make new ones for him, having first replaced the “cylinder”.
The top place in the ranking of mortise devices is occupied by combined or dual-system devices. They are a mechanism that consists of several different types. To open an iron door with a combined device, an attacker will spend at least an hour. At the Shop Door company, combined devices are represented by the brands Mottura (a combination of lever and cylinder mechanisms) and Cisa.

When choosing a locking device, carefully evaluate the features of the entrance structure itself: what material it is made of, the weight of the blade and other parameters. It is equally important to analyze the attractiveness of your private property to intruders.

Rating of door locks 2016 by manufacturer

Economy and mid-price steel doors manufactured in Russia are usually equipped with locking systems from the following manufacturers:

Elbor. Tops the rating of Russian castles. Branded products are produced mainly from metal.
Pro-Self. Leading positions among mounted and mortise ones in terms of reliability.
Guardian. They are distinguished by affordable prices and are represented by approximately 40 models.
Kale. Branded models of this manufacturer have repeatedly been included in the rating of cylindrical three-crossbar type.

Iron doors of the middle and high price segment are usually produced with a system from the manufacturers Cisa and Mottura. The devices of these brands have been repeatedly recognized as the best lever and cylinder locks (for example, model Cisa-57.535.28.C5 with four crossbars or series Mottura 54).

It should be taken into account that the reliability of the locking system depends not only on the quality of the fittings themselves, but also on the correct installation of the entrance block. At the Shop Door company you can arrange delivery and installation services for the structure. Installation of entrance doors is carried out by specialists from the online store in Moscow and the Moscow region.

One of the most popular, in demand, reliable and constantly developing systems of locking mechanisms is the cylinder. She was born just over a hundred years ago.

This system is easy to use, does not require any extra effort when opening the lock, and if the key is lost, it is enough to replace only the cylinder without touching the entire locking mechanism. Another undoubted advantage of cylinder-type locks is that all cylinders are compatible with locks from different manufacturers. If you need to replace the cylinder, which will meet all quality standards, you should understand which cylinder is better. We’ll talk about how to really choose the best cylinder in this article.

What kind of tricky “beast” is this cylinder?

First, let's try to figure out what a cylinder is. This is a special device with which the bolts are opened - the force of the key turned in the keyhole is transmitted to the internal mechanism that ensures the movement of the shutoff valves. In addition, it is in the cylinder that all the secrecy of the lock is hidden.

The incredible accuracy and peculiarity of the cylinder structure allows only the “original” key supplied with the product to open the lock (most often there are from three to five “original” keys).

The cylinders are available in two of the most popular shades, harmonizing with locks and doors of any color:

nickel plated;
brass

Depending on the type of locking mechanism, cylinders come in two systems:

key-key (a key is used to close or open the door from the outside and inside);
key-screw (the lock is opened and closed from the outside with a key, and from the inside - with a rotary handle).

When trying to understand which cylinder is better, you should realize that no matter how reliable the mechanism is, it needs the additional protection that is provided.

How to buy the perfect cylinder

There are many types of cylinders, distributed according to the level of secrecy and reliability, resistance to force. The main parameters that you first need to pay attention to are:

ease of operation;
durability and wear resistance;
reliability.

How wear-resistant the lock is directly depends on the quality of the internal components of the product, as well as the materials from which they are made. The lubricant used in the device must be taken into account.

If we add here the build quality of the components and the entire device as a whole, then we can talk about the reliability of the mechanism. The higher the reliability and wear resistance of the cylinder, the lower the likelihood that at some point it may refuse to function or will be opened with a master key.

Is there no method against scrap?

The reliability of the cylinder also depends on how effectively it can withstand forceful hacking options:

drilling;
knocking out;
breaking;
tearing out, etc.

Today there are many developments that help counter any of the above options. First of all, they relate to the raw materials from which they are made - for example, it can be hardened steel or other hard alloys that undergo hardening. Almost no drill can take such materials.

Separately, we can recall Mauer cylinders, made using a special “red line” technology, when when trying to break the mechanism, only the front part breaks off, and the cylinder itself remains inaccessible to burglars, but at the same time continues to function reliably when using the original key.

Almost all models of Mottura brand cylinders are, in turn, equipped with a special knockout protection system, and therefore they effectively withstand any method of force, except drilling.

Most cylinder manufacturers offer consumers to purchase additional cylinders, which will significantly increase the security of the mechanism and, accordingly, the safety of the room.

Therefore, when determining which cylinder is better, do not forget about the linings, which are divided into two types depending on the installation option:

mortise;
invoices.

The first type of lining is mounted on the lock. The company's products are considered one of the most reliable. It is virtually impossible to tear these models away from the door leaf, and therefore their protective properties are incredibly high.

The overhead protection is mounted on the outer door leaf. Although, they are often considered more decorative, since they provide protection from drilling only until they are torn off. The most popular products are from Kale, Ritko and others.

Intelligent cylinder protection

One of the options for opening cylinders is the intelligent method, the essence of which is the selection of keys and master keys. Modern cylinder models resist this method quite effectively, but not all of them. For example, cheap devices wear out quite quickly, making them easy to open with any key.

In general, the burglary resistance of cylinders is divided into several classes and depends on the time it takes the attacker to open it. The simplest, weakly protected cylinders open in two to three minutes. It takes a burglar at least half an hour to open expensive, complex mechanisms. However, in most cases, robbers simply don’t have that much time. Therefore, if you really want to understand which cylinder is better, ask the seller for documentation accompanying the product. It must indicate the burglary resistance class of the mechanism.

To avoid opening the cylinder with a master key, manufacturers equip the internal secret part with false grooves into which the master key falls. Quite common are small wells of complex design, into which it is extremely difficult to insert a master key.

Reliable cylinders must also effectively withstand the so-called automatic master keys, which operate on the principle of vibration, leading to the opening of the locking elements. In theory, even the most expensive and reliable cylinder model can be opened in this way, however, as practice shows, in reality it only works on inexpensive models, and even then not always.

One of the most common methods of opening locks is “bumping,” when a pre-prepared model of a key is inserted into the keyhole and hit with all force with a hammer or other heavy tool. As a result of such an impact, the pins and pins diverge and turn easily. Modern expensive models of locking mechanisms easily resist this method of hacking due to several factors:

A small keyhole, for which it is difficult to select a workpiece.
Durable internal elements and components that can withstand increased force loads during impact.

There are many models designed to withstand “bumping”, but in general, cylinders from many companies can withstand this method of hacking. For example, these are products from the following manufacturers:

EVVA;
Mul-t-lock;
Cisa et al.

The most popular hacking methods were given above, but there are others. In practice, they are not actually used, since they have long become ineffective. Such methods include the use of acid, which, according to some, corrodes the internal filling of the mechanism. However, on the metal used in locks, under the influence of acid, a salt coating is formed, which does not allow the acid to have a further negative effect. In addition, the internal parts of cylinders and locks today are most often made of hardened steel or cupronickel, which are virtually unaffected by the effects of acid.

A big secret

When trying to determine which cylinder is better, be sure to check its security rating. This concept is often used to express the number of possible combinations of a cylinder created by its pins. According to manufacturers, the most reliable models cannot have less than a thousand combinations, and in elite, expensive cylinders the number of combinations reaches several million.

In fact, everything is much more complicated and the concept of secrecy should include many characteristics, including:

wear resistance;
resistance to force;
resistance to intellectual influence;
number of cylinder combinations;
the probability of opening the lock with keys similar to the “native” one, etc.

In addition to the above characteristics, the secrecy of the cylinder is directly influenced by the quality of its manufacture, which has a positive effect on its durability and reliability.

What are the prices for cylinders for the people?

The easiest way to determine which is better is to look at its cost. Thus, even a schoolchild can easily open the cheapest models in a matter of minutes by reading or watching relevant literature or videos on the Internet. Quite often, the cheapest cylinders are sold even without packaging, indicating the manufacturer. Such products not only cannot increase the protective properties of the door, but also fail very quickly, which leads to the need to buy a new product and, accordingly, additional money expenses.

Buying a cheap cylinder is only justified if it is purchased as a temporary constipation. For example, when carrying out renovation work in a newly purchased apartment, which subsequently involves purchasing a new door with a full-fledged, reliable lock.

For the entrance door to an apartment or house, it is recommended to purchase cylinders of the mid-price category. Models from this group of products are significantly superior to cheap products in terms of reliability and ability to withstand various hacking options. Even an experienced specialist will have to spend a lot of time opening the lock, drilling or knocking it out, making a lot of noise, which will attract neighbors or people simply passing by. And even then, such opening options are not always effective, since hardened steel is used to produce cylinders, which prevents the product from breaking. Considering the use of modern, reliable materials, cylinders in the mid-price category operate flawlessly for many years, do not break down and do not require replacement. Models in this price category are installed in at least 70% of doors.

The third category of cylinders, the most expensive, guarantees the maximum level of protection and safety. Only hacking geniuses, of whom there are not so many in the world, can open them. Cylinders of this type are able to withstand forceful and intelligent hacking methods. Particularly durable materials and innovative developments used in the production of locks of this type can even completely block the device at the slightest attempt to break into it, be it drilling or selecting master keys. Naturally, the cost of such cylinders, used in conjunction with specially designed ones, is incredibly high. It is recommended to install them only if you are confident in the overall reliability of the door, which cannot be broken or cut off its hinges. Otherwise, spending on expensive cylinders is not entirely justified and it is better to limit yourself to a locking mechanism in the middle price category.

We hope you can now understand which cylinder is better and purchase a truly reliable and durable mechanism. When purchasing a product, be sure to take into account all the above parameters and characteristics of the cylinders. Do not be guided only by the promises of the seller and the fame of the brand that produces the mechanisms.

Your safety, as well as the integrity and safety of your property, depends on how high-quality and reliable the lock is on your front door. However, choosing a lock on your own is not so easy. That is why today we will talk about the types of door locks, as well as their characteristics.

Classification of locks by security and resistance to burglary

Not every person knows what “lock secrecy” is, and this is quite logical, because such concepts, as a rule, are used by specialists in the manufacture of locks, and not by ordinary consumers.

At the same time, the secrecy of the lock, its reliability, strength and durability form its quality.

The secrecy of a lock is a certain number of combinations that can be made from a given number of secrets with a given bit depth.
Agree, even such a definition is not so easy to understand. That is why, in simple terms, this concept refers to the number of keys that are suitable for one lock.
In fact, the same lock can be opened with several keys, if the manufacturer provided for this possibility during its production.
It is logical to assume that a good lock can be opened with only one type of key, and in principle this is true.

In simple terms, how many keys fit into one lock determines its secrecy.

In accordance with GOST, there are 4 security classes. Keys according to this criterion are classified as follows:

1st class, these are locks that are intended for indoor use, for example, for locking internal doors in an apartment, house, or country house. This class is not certified, since ideally such keys are used “for show” and they should not perform any security or protective functions. By the way, according to experts, it is possible to open such a lock in just a couple of minutes.
2nd class, these are locks that must be certified and provide more reliable security for your property. These types of locks can be opened in about 5 minutes.
3rd class locks, these are also certified products. Such locks can be considered quite strong and reliable. To hack them you need to spend at least 10 minutes. time
4th grade. Products in this class are among the most durable and reliable. To deal with such locks you will have to work for at least half an hour.

As you can see, to install locks on the entrance doors of an apartment or home, you need to choose products of class 2-4. However, it is important to understand that even the 4th, the highest class of secrecy, can be bypassed and opened; no one can guarantee you a 100% guarantee today.

Rating of locks for metal entrance doors: review of the best brands and manufacturers

Your safety and the safety of your belongings depends not only on the door and its material, but also on the lock that will be placed there. That is why we present to your attention the most popular brands of locks.

Let's start, perhaps, with domestic manufacturers and the goods that they offer us.

This manufacturer occupies a leading position in the domestic market. Products from this manufacturer:

BASALT 1.05.61.MA. This lock is suitable for absolutely any door and is overhead. It has a lever security mechanism and belongs to the 4th class. The complex includes 5 keys, which are in a special bag with stamps.
BASALT 1.05.11. This lock is a mortise lock and is also suitable for any door. The class and security mechanism of the lock are similar to the previous product.
RUBIN 1.08.31. The lock is mortise and is perfect for reinforced metal doors. The security mechanism is lever-operated and corresponds to class 4.
Guardian. This manufacturer has also proven itself well. The products of this manufacturer are of good quality and reasonable prices.
Guardian 20.05. The lock belongs to the overhead lock with a lever type mechanism. Security class in accordance with GOST 4th. This product is protected against the most common types of tampering.
Guardian 10.01. This lock is also suitable for installation on a metal door and is protected from opening with a master key. It has a mortise installation type and belongs to the 2nd class of secrecy.

As a rule, the lock models presented above are installed on economy and middle class metal doors.

For more expensive doors, locks from the following manufacturers are suitable. The manufacturing country Italy shows the high quality of its products:

CISA B 7535. This lock is recommended to be installed not only on metal, but also on armored doors. The lock is a mortise lock with a suval type of security mechanism.
Cisa 57675 ALPS. This lock is recodeable and is suitable for installation on metal doors as an additional lock. Thanks to its security system, such a lock will protect your property from theft, because its mechanism has built-in components that do not allow the door to be broken into.

Country of origin Türkiye:

Kale 252R. This lock is suitable for strong metal doors and provides fairly good protection. The set includes 5 keys.
Kale 257L. This type of lock also guarantees the safety of your property. The lock belongs to the 3rd class of secrecy, the set includes 5 keys.

When choosing a lock for your entrance doors, be guided not only by your knowledge and preferences, but also by the advice of experts. We also do not recommend that you save too much on such a product, because its quality is the key to your safety.

Inexpensive locks for metal entrance doors: review of brands

You need to choose your locks wisely. What is expensive is not always of high quality. Therefore, before you give your money, at least ask a sales consultant or lock specialist which type of product is best suited for your door.

There is an opinion that there are no budget but high-quality locks, however, this is not so. We present to you the highest quality and inexpensive locks for metal doors.

"Border". This brand has established itself as a quality manufacturer. Moreover, this manufacturer is the largest in our country. All products of Border LLC are certified, which means that they have passed all the necessary tests for reliability and quality. We can also say that this manufacturer pleases customers with an adequate price for its products. Door locks of this brand are affordable for any budget. For example, for only 300-400 rubles. you can buy a mortise cylinder lock that belongs to the 2nd security class. The most inexpensive lever lock will cost you about the same 300-400 rubles. And for 800 rub. You will be able to please yourself with a reliable lever lock of 4th security class.
« Kale". This is a Turkish brand that has been presenting its products on our market for about 10 years. The products of this manufacturer are of high quality and relatively affordable prices. The advantage of this company's locks is their locking system. Regarding prices, it must be said that for metal doors the most inexpensive lock will cost you about 800 rubles.
. This company was founded quite a long time ago and throughout its operation has shown itself only from the best side. The products of this brand, which by the way are not only locks, but also doors, are distinguished by high quality and good characteristics. The company's products have all the necessary certificates, and have also been awarded various awards for their quality and reliability more than once. The price of the product will depend on its characteristics, however, products of this brand are available for any wallet.

« Pro-myself". This brand is one of the largest Russian manufacturers of various locks. The product is suitable not only for metal doors, but also for wooden ones. The products of this manufacturer are in very wide demand, because their quality and reliability are at a fairly high level, and the cost allows anyone to purchase them.
"USK". This company produces high-quality door locks, which are represented on our market in a wide variety of types. The range is represented by lever and cylinder locks. Almost all locks are universal, so they can easily be installed on both metal and wooden doors. The locks of this company have different prices, the most budget one will cost you about 550 rubles.

Types of lever door locks: description, photo

There are a huge number of types of door locks on the market. One of these types is a lever lock:

The history of these locks dates back to the distant 19th century, and since then these products not only have not lost their popularity, but have even increased it.
The thing is that lever locks have a number of advantages. The lock mechanism is very durable and almost never breaks on its own. Problems such as jamming are not a problem for this type of product.
Also, such door locks are distinguished by their durability, because they are quite difficult to damage.
These devices got their name due to the fact that they have levers, which are flat plates with shaped cutouts on them.
Lever locks may differ in the method of their fastening. This is how overhead and mortise types are distinguished.
A rim lock is preferably installed on garage doors.

Mortise ones are better suited for doors of apartments and houses.
Door locks of these types are protected from forced entry. The manufacturer, as a rule, always takes care of this point.
High-quality lever locks have a recoding system, with which you can quickly and easily recode the product, and not worry about your safety if you lose the key or if the key is in the possession of some stranger.
The deadbolt post is not the most reliable place for this type of lock. However, caring manufacturers eliminate the possibility of breaking into the door using a special design, protecting it with armored plates.
The secrecy of these locks directly depends on the number of levers in each individual product. The larger the lever, the correspondingly better quality the door lock will be.

Types of cylinder door locks: description, photo

In addition to lever door locks, there are also cylinder locks. Cylinder locks can have varying degrees of reliability and strength; among such products you can find those that are very easy to influence, and those that require a lot of work to crack. This factor will depend on the features of the lock mechanism.

Pin 1-row products. This type of device includes locks with locking and combination pins. The pins themselves are made of durable steel and are arranged in 1 row.
Pin 2-row products. The peculiarity of such locks is that the pins are already arranged in 2 rows, and from this it should be concluded that there are much more of them than in the previous product. The pins are also made of high quality steel. These locks come with a double-sided key.
Cross-shaped products. The pins of such locks are arranged in the shape of a cross, which is where their name comes from. The key for such locks will also look like a cross. The peculiarity of such locks is that the pins are arranged in several rows, and their number may vary.

Cylinder locks with conical milling. In such products there are several pins in a row, the maximum of them can be 5. Such cylinder locks are reliable and durable, since the pins in them are located on different planes.
Cylinder locks with turning pins. The peculiarity of these locks is that they are equipped with pins that turn.

When choosing a particular type of door lock, be guided not only by personal preferences, but also by the expediency of the purchase.

Combined locks for metal doors: description, photo

The most reliable, safe and practical are combination door locks. These devices got their name due to the fact that they always consist of a combination of 2 types of mechanisms.

Most often, lever and cylinder mechanisms are combined, but such “cohabitation” is not mandatory. You can also find dual-system locks, as these products are also called, with the following combinations:

2 lever systems
2 cylinder systems
Suvalny, cylinder, pump systems
In such door locks there is always a main mechanism and an additional one. As a rule, the main one is the lever lock

It is also important to pay attention to the existing classification of combined locks, depending on how the 2 systems in them interact:

Independent. In this case, we have 2 locks on the door, which work completely independently of each other. You can lock the door with both locks or with one lock. It also does not matter at all which lock will close or open first.
Dependent. This type of locks is distinguished by their dependence on each other. A door with such a lock must be opened and closed according to a certain algorithm, since without opening the main lock, you will not be able to open the additional one.
Semi-dependent. Such locks are by and large independent of each other. However, when closing the upper lock (cylinder), the keyhole of the lower one will be blocked by a special flap.
There are also dual-system locks that can be opened with one key. This type of operation of door locks is very convenient and practical.

You need to choose a door lock based on where exactly it will be installed, what function it will perform and, of course, how much money you are willing to pay for it.

If you need to put a lock, for example, on the door that leads to the yard, on your property, and you do not need it to be extremely reliable, then you can use a deadbolt lock. The lock is completely unsuitable for the entrance door to a house or apartment.
For a door that leads to an apartment or house, it is better to give preference to lever or cylinder locks.
If you want to have additional security measures, then install a latch on the door.
An electromechanical lock is quite reliable. To open such a lock you will need a special remote control, card, etc., but there are no keys for such devices in the form we are familiar with.
Another type of reliable lock is electromagnetic. It also comes with a magnetic key or code.

Choose a door lock based on practicality and reliability, not price. What is expensive is not always of high quality and suitable for you. Sometimes even mid-priced locks are great for entrance doors.
Choose a lock according to your door. For a wooden door, for example, a heavy mechanical lock is not suitable. In this way, you will not only not ensure your safety, but also, on the contrary, make it easier for scammers to gain access to your apartment.
Never buy electromagnetic locks if the lights in your home are often turned off, because after a power outage they will not work.
When purchasing door locks for the entrance door to an apartment or house, give preference to locks that have a 3rd or 4th class of security.
Check for armor plates in the lock.
Check the integrity of the package containing the keys to the door lock.

Castles cannot be called a cheap pleasure, so purchases of this kind must be made carefully. Expensive door locks of the 3rd and 4th security class are recommended to be installed on the entrance doors of those premises in which there is something very valuable and important. For other premises, a 2nd class security lock is suitable, which, by the way, is also very reliable.