Allan B. Colombo Trade Journalist/Writer Introduction To Locks

By Allan B. Colombo
Copyright©1989, 1999, 2002

Door locks are an integral part of any home security program. Without a quality, able lock, a home is surely vulnerable to anyone who might happen along, thus facilitating another statistic under the category: crime of opportunity. Not just any lock will do, however. Although the most common lock is that of the knob-in-lock variety, the lock that offers the most resistance to a criminal's aggression is that of the deadbolt.

The lock is often the most vulnerable point on the door, and the first place attacked. Unfortunately, most exterior spring bolt type door locks currently in use in the U.S. are quite vulnerable to forceful attack. The common key-in-knob lock, for example, is extremely susceptible to attack by a pipe wrench or similar tool which simply breaks off the knob and exposes the bolt to manipulation by hand. Such locks have no security value and should, without exception, be replaced or supplemented with good deadbolt locks.

Source: Understanding Crime Prevention, pp73
National Crime Prevention Institute,
Butterworth-Heinemann, Woburn, Mass.

Without a quality dead bolt or auxiliary lock on each perimeter door, a home is vulnerable to attack by a variety of criminals that possess a wide range of skills. For this reason, there are a numer of locks on the market, each one differing in mission, reliability, and level of security.

The following articles are designed to provide basic information on what each of the basic locks types are and how to install them. Because there are so many different kinds of locks on the market today, it is virtually impossible to present them all, so do consider this as a mere sampling. For specific information on a particular lock model, refer to the manufacturer for specific details.