About Banham Locks
Domestic burglaries in the UK are on the rise. Recent statistics show that they have risen by 30 percent with about 261,915 homes reporting of burglary incidents within the past year. If such revelations do not make you run to the nearest locksmith in London to tighten your defenses, nothing else will.
This is because your door serves as the first line of defense against burglars. And even though you might have a sturdy door, if it is not reinforced with burglar-proof locks, it will still be vulnerable to forced entry. Nonetheless, there are many types of locks in the market. Which one is best for you?
Ask any expert such as an emergency locksmith and they will probably tell you that Banham locks are the most difficult to breakthrough. There is a good reason for that – Banham locks are the highest quality door locks in the market.
Are you looking for a locksmith in London to reinforce your doors? Here’s what you need to know about Banham locks and why you should use them on your doors.
Banham Door Locks
Banham locks are the most secure type of door locks in the market today. They are accredited by Secured by Design, which is an initiative by the UK Police that combines ‘designing out of crime’ principles with physical security. Additionally, Banham door locks comply with BS3621, the recognized door lock industry standard by the Association of British Insurers.
As such, using Banham door locks reinforce your home’s security as well as helping you save on home insurance costs. This is because you would have lowered your risks drastically. Therefore, as you look for a ‘locksmith near me,’ ensure that they have Banham locks.
Types of Banham Door Locks
- Deadlocks and self-locking deadbolts
- Single-cylinder and double cylinder locks
- Cylinder and lever locks
- Most secure door locks
Read on to find out how these locks differ.
1. Mortice and Rim Locks
The method of mounting a lock onto a door is what usually determines whether it will be referred to as mortice or rim.
Mortice Locks
Mortice locks are usually fitted on the edge of a door. They are usually fixed into a hollow – known as a mortice – on the door’s edge. They also have a strike plate that acts as the recess lining in the door’s frame, which is where the bolt fits.
Mortice locks are notoriously challenging to force open since the majority of the lock is firmly secured within the door’s frame. This is why more and more insurers are stipulating that homeowners must have mortice locks to comply with their cover.
Their design is also quite aesthetically pleasing since most of the locking mechanism is not visible. In fact, the only thing you can see when the door is open is the faceplate and keyhole.
Rim Locks
Rim locks are usually fitted on a door’s inside surface. They contain a lockbolt and key cylinder mechanism, which are housed by yet another lock mechanism that is fitted to the door. This mechanism is also referred to as the ‘nightlatch.’
Nonetheless, rim locks are best suited for doors that open inwards since the lock bolt usually latches into a keeper that is inside the door.
Rim locks are the most preferred choice for listed or heritage properties since they do the least damage to the woodwork during fitting.
2. Cylinder Locks and Lever Locks
Cylinder Locks
These locks utilize a mechanism consisting of a keyhole and a mechanical aperture that is contained inside a cylinder. This mechanism uses pins of varying sizes to ensure that the lock does not open without the correct key. The most significant benefit of cylinder locks is that their ‘keyed cylinder’ can be altered so as to rekey the lock without having to change the entire hardware.
Cylinders also come in electric versions, which are commonly used in fobbed as well as other access control systems. Cylinder locks can also be either single or double, with double cylinder locks being more secure.
Lever Locks
Lever locks typically come in either three- or five-lever versions. The more levers a lock contains, the higher the number of its potential key shapes, therefore making it a lot safer.
Typically, a lever lock utilizes a bitted key and requires key operation from both the inside and outside. The key will need to move each lever up to a certain to move the locking bolt.
This is why most home insurers specify that you use a five-lever mortice lock. There are even seven-lever locks in the market today, which are among the most secure mechanical door locks to ever exist. Chances are that the average emergency locksmith might be unable to assist you in case you are locked out. This is why when looking for a locksmith near me, you should first ask whether they can open such a door.
3. Single Cylinder and Double Cylinder Locks
We briefly mentioned these locks. Let us look at them in more detail.
Single Cylinder Locks
Lever locks typically come in either three- or five-lever versions. The more levers a lock contains, the higher the number of its potential key shapes, therefore making it a lot safer.
Typically, a lever lock utilizes a bitted key and requires key operation from both the inside and outside. The key will need to move each lever up to a certain to move the locking bolt.
This is why most home insurers specify that you use a five-lever mortice lock. There are even seven-lever locks in the market today, which are among the most secure mechanical door locks to ever exist. Chances are that the average emergency locksmith might be unable to assist you in case you are locked out. This is why when looking for a locksmith near me, you should first ask whether they can open such a door.
Double Cylinder Locks
Lever locks typically come in either three- or five-lever versions. The more levers a lock contains, the higher the number of its potential key shapes, therefore making it a lot safer.
Typically, a lever lock utilizes a bitted key and requires key operation from both the inside and outside. The key will need to move each lever up to a certain to move the locking bolt.
This is why most home insurers specify that you use a five-lever mortice lock. There are even seven-lever locks in the market today, which are among the most secure mechanical door locks to ever exist. Chances are that the average emergency locksmith might be unable to assist you in case you are locked out. This is why when looking for a locksmith near me, you should first ask whether they can open such a door.
4.Deadbolts
Also known as deadbolts, these locks utilize a locking mechanism that requires to turn a key or thumb turn manually. The implication, therefore, is that a great deal of force is going to be needed to pay back the bolt. This characteristic is what makes them so secure.
When a deadbolt is unlocked, the lock bolt is usually held in a withdrawn position.
Self-locking Deadbolts
The most common type of self-locking deadlocks is the latch bolt. The latch bolt utilizes a spring-loaded bolt that has an angled edge. The implication is that, when the door is shut, the latch bolts angled tip retracts then springs itself into the ‘locked’ position as the door settles into the frame.
Some latchbolts have an anti-thrust snib, which deadbolts the latch once the door closes. Such latches can be used for both outward opening, as well as inward opening doors.
In other double cylinders, the action of closing the door automatically triggers the lock bolt to be released so that the door is secured once it touches the frame. This automatic trigger can be disabled so that the door doesn’t have to self-lock every time.
Most Secure Door Locks
While Banham door locks have established themselves at the most burglar-proof locks out there, which one among them is the most secure?
If you ask any emergency locksmith or locksmith in London, they will tell you that the ideal situation is where you have a deadlock on your front door. There’s a reason why home insurance companies insist on deadlocks; they are the most difficult type of lock to breach. You can take it up a level and get the self-locking deadbolt to add convenience on top of that security.
Insurance guidelines are a great way of knowing whether the door lock you are looking into offers the kind of security you need, as insurers will typically stipulate the specific locks they favor.
Combinations
You have the option of combining both mortice and rim locks alongside your deadbolts. Nonetheless, the most secure combination will come down to your needs. A reputable expert from your ‘locksmith near me’ search should be able to analyze your door and needs, to give you the best options available.
Thumbturn Security Risks?
As mentioned earlier, if someone can access a thumb turn lock from the outside, there’s a possibility that they will be able to open the door. This is what worries most people about thumbturns. Thus, if your house is structured in such a way that a thumbturn might be a risk, then you should stick with key locks.
However, there are situations where thumbturns are a necessity. For example, in blocks of flats or shared accommodations, thumbturns are a fire safety requirement. They allow the occupants to leave their residences much quicker in the event of an emergency.
Getting the Best Lock
These Banham locks which are highly secure and reliable are sure to give you enhanced levels of security. You can find these locks through London Locksmith 24h. Also, there are several other services needed with the locks which London Locksmith 24h strives to provide you in no time. Trust us to be a professional and reputable locksmith service provider that will surely help you get your lock repaired, replaced or install a new one depending on your situation.
Search For London Locksmith 24h
Are you searching for a ‘locksmith near me?’ The 5-Star London Locksmiths 24hr is the premier locksmith in London. Whether you are looking to install new locks or are in need of an emergency locksmith, our police-approved engineers will be at your doorstep in less than 25 minutes at any time of day. Decades of experience and skill allow our experts to offer brilliant solutions to any door lock issue you might have. Contact us today to learn more.