Types of Door Locks Explained
Did you know that certain Types of Door Locks could save you money on your Home Insurance Policy? Find out how to secure your doors and windows.
Types of Door Locks
Property security is a big priority for most Irish homeowners, and rightly so. According to the Home Security Crime Prevention Sheet published by the Garda, most intruders enter a property through an unsecured window or door, and so it is essential that you are protected with robust locks to keep your home and your family safe.
In addition to providing that extra layer of security, front door locks and window locks approved by members of the Associated Locksmiths of Ireland or the Irish Locksmith Organisation (ILO) could save you money on your home insurance premium, and so it makes sense to invest in the best, and get the right locks fitted to improve your home security.
What Type of House Locks Do You Have?
When applying for home contents insurance, your provider will ask you what type of locks you use to secure your home. This may seem like a simple enough question, but if you don’t know the difference between a mortise lock, a deadbolt, and a multi-point locking system, you may not be able to provide the answers your insurance broker needs to perform risk assessment and offer a competitive quote.
To help you gain a better understanding of the different types of door locks and window locks available, we’ve prepared this short guide to the most common locks used in Ireland today.
Five Lever Mortice Deadlocks
One of the most popular front door locks available on the market today, Five Lever Mortice Deadlocks (also referred to as deadbolt locks) are commonly recommended by insurance companies for their high level of protection. Locked and unlocked by key, these house locks are suitable for use on any type of outside door, and as they are built-in with 5 interior levers, they are tamperproof and highly effective at keeping burglars at bay. Look out for a mortise lock with the BS3621 Kitemark – it could help you get a discount on your home contents insurance.
Rim Automatic Deadlatch with Key Locking Handle
As the name would suggest, Rim Automatic Deadlatch Locks feature an interior door latch that automatically locks the door when closed. Mounted on the inside of the door, rather than built-in to the frame, they can be locked and unlocked from either side, and most are equipped with a key locking handle for an extra layer of security at night. While popular, this type of house lock is considered less secure than the 5 lever mortice, and so for insurance purposes, they should be used in conjunction with another type of locking mechanism.
It’s also easy to lock yourself out with this type of door lock, but you can to secure the latch in the open position if needed.
Multi-Point Locking Systems – Key Operated
Offering a high level of security, Multi-Point Locking Systems lock at multiple points to secure the door into the frame, and so they are virtually impossible to break. A popular patio door lock, it works seamlessly with uPVC and Composite doors, securing your doors with at least three locking points with the single turn of a key. You’ll get brownie points with your insurance broker if you have a key operated multi-point locking system fitted to French doors and patio doors, although five lever mortice deadlocks are still preferred for main points of entry (i.e. front and back doors).
Window Locks
Just like doors, windows, particularly those on the ground floor or those easily accessible from below, should be protected with key-operated window locks to secure your home. Easy to install, most window locks are attached to the handle, and can be locked and unlocked in seconds with a key. Many home insurers look favourably on homes with both door locks and window locks, and this in turn could reduce the cost of your annual premium.
Additional Home Security Measures
Other security measures such as night latches, skylight locks, and outbuilding locks can all have a positive impact on the cost of your home insurance premium, particularly if you are living in a high crime area, and so it is worth calculating the costs to upgrade your home security – it could save you money on insurance in the long run.
