What type of lock?

sophiedophie

Hiya,

I am buying a house and when doing home insurance quotes it asks what locks are on the 2 doors. Although i've looked at the demo photographs they provide I am still not 100% sure. Can anyone help?!

Front door

sophiedophie

Patio door

FreeBear

Looks like a fairly standard three point locking system. If the handle has to be lifted to throw the bolts, then that's probably what it is. The cylinder on the blue door is a slight concern - It appears to be protruding ~5mm from the face plate. It should be flush.

It is just possible for a miscreant to get a wrench on that bit of the cylinder and twist it off. Then with the aid of a screwdriver, opening the door is very simple.

When (if) you buy the property, you'll want to change the cylinders anyway, so take the opportunity to get ones of the right size.

Ectophile

The actual locks themselves look like standard eurolocks. These are interchangeable, so you can get new ones from any decent locksmith. However, they come in a variety of different lengths, so you need to get the right length.

Are there any additional latches that operate at the tops and bottoms of the doors? If so, then it's "multipoint locking". Otherwise, it's not.

Mr.Generous

front door is a euro cylinder with thumb turn. Lock type probably described as multi-point. Euro cylinders have huge key variations, the anti-snap type are very good secure locks.

sophiedophie

Thanks for your help.. For the home insurance questions I will list them both as multi-point locks. I was confused because the pictures all show a hook like bolt whereas this one has straight edges and goes straight across.

My dad was a great locksmith, he would be turning in his grave thinking I didn't know the difference between these locks!

bluesnake

The old euro locks were easy to break and to some people can do it in 15 seconds or less. Get both antisnap and antipick type. Make sure you get a good one, probably from a locksmith.

Avocet abs is not bad, Evva may be better, but double the price.

You can have the, set up so they only need 1 key to open all the locks.

victor2

A friend who had already decided to replace the cheap euro cylinders in his new house with decent anti-snap etc. ones was told by the locksmith he was buying them from that he should not go for one with a thumbturn handle on it. If a miscreant gets in through say an open window, he/she can then open the door and walk in and out with your belongings no problem.
With a small child in the house, I suppose it makes sense not to have a thumbturn lock anyway - don't want the little mite escaping!:)

Chrishazle

I have thumbturns on all the door locks - so locking up at night etc is easy, and in emergency we can get out without having to fumble for a key. I also have the locks "1 key to pass" so one key will operate all the external locks, much easier on my trouser pocket!! Handlestore.com have good info/products.