Your choice of locks for residential property will determine the level of security in your home. It is important to understand the weaknesses and strengths of different configurations before replacement and installation. The cylinder lock is one of the popular types used on doors and separate padlocks. It is basically any locking product that is designed with a cylinder mechanism and operated with keys. The specifics of the designs vary and popular types include the pin, disc and wafer tumbler locks. If you are thinking about installing or getting rid of the cylinder locks in your home, consider these advantages and disadvantages before making a final decision.

Advantages

The cylinder lock can be rekeyed easily by a qualified locksmith without the need to remove the entire lock. The cylinder which is reconfigured during rekeying can be accessed by the removal of the screws that connect the locks to the internal bolt work. This will save you time and money if you lose the keys. A single master key can be designed to allow access to several property doors by rekeying the locks you often use. This will save you the stress of carrying a huge bunch of keys and enhance the speed and expediency of access. In the same way, you can have your locksmith reconfigure the locks differently if you realize that master keys do not suit your home.

Additionally, you can choose between a single and double cylinder lock depending on your preference. The single lock requires a key on only one side for entry so the interior side has a simple knob. This is an ideal mechanism for easy escape in case of an emergency situation like a sudden fire. The double cylinder is secure since both sides require a key to open so an intruder will be incapable of access even if they break your safety glass.

Drawbacks

Cylinder locks are relatively easy to pick as long as you can manipulate the pins in the lock and align them. Most burglars have the tools to facilitate this method of unauthorized access. For instance, a specially designed bump key can penetrate most pin tumbler locks within seconds.

The Verdict

Cylinder locks are convenient to install and manage in case an unauthorized person gets a copy of your keys. Additionally, an emergency locksmith (such as Gold Class Locksmiths) will be able to offer you quick assistance in case of a lockout. However, the security weaknesses cannot be ignored so consider installing and using this configuration in tandem with other types of locks.

Share