Best new locks for front door?

bpk101

I'm having a new solid wood front door fitted and need to chose a lock system. Banhams are great but very expensive.

What other lock systems out there would you recommend for a small mid terrace in East London?

robatwork

tacpot12

Do you want your new lock to be openable from the inside without a key?
Do you want you new lock to be openable from the outside without a key? e.g. using a code pad?

that

Best uk locks are rated 3 star. Also you want anti-snap, anti-pick and anti-bump features

Good brands includes Avocet, Evva, abloy, medeco, but make sure you buy a good lock from those brands. Think the Abloy is the most unpickable, but it can be compromised possibly easier than the medeco

When you by the lock, make sure you buy enough spare keys at the same time. if buying front and backdoor locks, often they can be keyed with the same key, or have a master key for both locks an also can have separate keys for each lock

Perhaps a london bar too and Security Hinge Door Bolts. Dont use the factory supplied screws, but get the much longer ones. Drill holes first to stop the screws from splitting the wood. Crossbar hooks, or crossbar locks should keep you fairly safe inside too

Have a friend who has a house there in Upton Park, East London. I get lots of staires from the locals there when visiting, probably my non ethnic look. His girlfriend had the same issue too and have now moved away. Been in a few countries on both side of the equator and never had that issue, hope your area is better!

bpk101

tacpot12 wrote: »

Do you want your new lock to be openable from the inside without a key?
Do you want you new lock to be openable from the outside without a key? e.g. using a code pad?

Openable from the inside using the night latch. Openable from outside using a key (no code).

tacpot12

The Yale BS3/BS4 Nightlatch is the only nightlatch I can recommend, but a Euro Mortice Sashlock with a Three Star Euro Cylinder with a thumbturn on the back is also an option - this will allow you to shut your door without then needing a key to get back inside, with a Nightlatch you run the risk of being locked out!

bpk101

that wrote: »

Good brands includes Avocet, Evva, abloy, medeco, but make sure you buy a good lock from those brands.

I've previously been told that i at the least need a 5 Lever Mortice Deadlock and a Yale Nightlatch. Looking at the brands you recommend i can't see that any of them do a 5 Lever Deadlock or Nightlatch. Just to confirm these locks are going on a traditional solid wood victorian terrace front door.

robatwork

bpk101 wrote: »

I've previously been told that i at the least need a 5 Lever Mortice Deadlock and a Yale Nightlatch. Looking at the brands you recommend i can't see that any of them do a 5 Lever Deadlock or Nightlatch. Just to confirm these locks are going on a traditional solid wood victorian terrace front door.

What you need to quote insurance companies is that you have a British Standard 5 lever mortice lock, so something like this:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/union-bs-5-lever-mortice-deadlock-satin-chrome-1-40mm/3055p#product_additional_details_container

And for a latch something like:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/yale-bs-night-latch-polished-chrome-60mm/54648

Jackmydad

Whatever you do don't just rely on a nightlatch for a door that opens straight onto the street. Several times in the past when I, or a neighbour has been locked out, I've just shouldered a door fitted with a nightlatch open. There are better types, but I'd want at least a mortice lock as already described, and big strong bolts top and bottom.

that

If it is a house that will be rented, then Euro cylinders are the way to go. Patio doors are often Euro cylinder locks

Having seen places where they have plastic frames, the frames can be squeezed to such an extent that the bolt on locks no longer catches, and it makes no difference whether it is a mortice or other type of lock at this point.

with wood it can be chiselled, drilled, there is a chance that the wood will splinter, also as all the forces are put on to a small surface area and often small screws pop. Often it is not the door that gives way but the frame. The door and frame is one part, the lock another part and they key cylinder another aspect of security.

So far i have had three doors kicked. One security rated nightlatch had short screws (40mm) that ripped out of the frame and damaged the lock too.

The second door was vandalized by a guy whos girlfriend had just told him to get lost on the mobile, so went down the street kicking all the doors in. This for me damaged the frame by the lock. damaged the hinges (bent metal), damages how the hinges sat on the wood and the door would no longer sit straight. and mangled th lock mechanism some what and it no longer worked smoothly.

the third door was a firedoor. the mortice lock held, but the frame did not. Before the frame gave way, about midway down the door in height from east to west the door also split.

Had an electronic card rfid lock too, but one person managed to get an authentication card from another unit, and started to authorise his own cards.

Kiran

I had Ultion cylinders fitted. They had good reviews and seem to be well made.