Metal door lock: choosing a reliable device to protect your home

Home security is a necessary measure, the achievement of which largely depends on the reliability of the door lock. Locking mechanisms installed on metal doors must have a high degree of burglary resistance. In order to choose a lock for a metal door, you need to study the types of fixtures that can be purchased today and their characteristics.

When choosing a lock, you should rely on the purpose of the door, this is the only way to achieve maximum security, as well as convenient and long-term operation of the device

Features of door locks on metal doors

When choosing a locking mechanism, you need to understand that it must correspond to the purpose. Entrance doors are installed primarily in order to protect an apartment or a private house from the entry of unauthorized persons. The reliability of the entrance structure largely depends on the type of lock and its quality.

Before buying a device, consider the security class of the lock and resistance to burglary.

When choosing a lock for the front door, you should also understand that the mechanism should be easy to use. This is a very important point, since the canvas that is installed at the entrance to the dwelling is used daily. The modern market is filled with products manufactured under different brands.

When choosing such a device, it is recommended to take into account the operational features in a particular situation. Experts advise not to buy the locking mechanism right away, but to study reviews about it before purchasing. Castles Elbor, Guardian, Cisa are very popular.

Note! The locking mechanism for the entrance door must match the type of door leaf. Some people make a common mistake: they buy an interior analogue instead of a lock for an entrance structure. Such devices have poor resistance to cracking, and also do not have high quality characteristics. This significantly reduces their service life.

Among other things, a lock for a metal door should be simple and easy to use.

Types of door locks according to the principle of operation and their characteristics

The principle of operation of various mechanisms is determined by their design features. Today, there are 3 groups of devices that differ from each other in this indicator:

• mechanical;
• electromagnetic;
• electromechanical.

Mechanical. Mechanisms of this type lock the door using special sliding elements - crossbars. The number of these parts may vary. The reliability of the devices depends on the number of these elements. Their advantage is that they are not volatile. Today, such an entrance door lock is the most popular among buyers.

Electromagnetic. Such locking mechanisms function due to the electromagnet, which is in their design. To open such a lock, a code combination is most often used, consisting of a certain sequence of numbers. Some models are unlocked using a special key fob or an electronic card. The material carrier in this case serves as a key.

The main disadvantage of an electromagnetic door lock is volatility.

The most expensive models can respond to the owner's biometric data (for example, a fingerprint). The electromagnetic door lock has one serious drawback - volatility. The fact is that for such a locking mechanism to work, electricity is required. You can open a lock directly connected to the mains by turning off the power. Therefore, when using such devices, it is recommended to provide them with autonomous power sources, which can be batteries.

Electromechanical. Such mechanisms combine the characteristics of the two previous types of door locks. In this case, the door leaf is locked using crossbars, which are powered by electricity.

Helpful information! This device, unlike its electromagnetic counterparts, does not require a constant power supply.

The advantage of this type of locking mechanism is its versatility. The electromechanical device can be opened either electrically or with an ordinary key.

Unlike an electromagnetic lock, an electromechanical lock does not require constant electricity, since it can be opened with a key

Types of locks for metal entrance doors, depending on the installation method

Various models of locking mechanisms differ from each other in design. The device of the lock is the main factor that affects the installation option of the product. Locking mechanisms are classified according to the method of installation, in connection with which they are divided into two groups:

• waybills;
• mortise.

Overhead. Today, such products are practically not used on metal entrance canvases, which are installed for private purposes. This is due to the device of the patch lock. Such models are not integrated into the canvas, but mounted on top of it.

The use of an overhead mechanism is advisable if wood acts as a door material. In such a situation, it is often required to maintain the integrity of the door leaf, therefore the installation of such a locking device is the only correct solution. Among other things, overhead mechanisms installed on a wooden door provide greater reliability than mortise ones.

Padlocks on metal doors do not provide the required level of protection

Surface locks for metal doors are installed only when there is no need to ensure maximum security. They can be found on the entrance doors to the entrances, as well as on canvases that are mounted in sheds and barns.Such structures most often consist of a single sheet of metal.

Mortise lock for a metal door: device features

Mortise models are the most common today. The design features of these devices determine their installation. The locks are integrated directly into the door leaf. This allows you to maintain the appearance of the door.

Cut-in type products are characterized by a lot of advantages. However, there are also disadvantages. The main one is the complexity of DIY installation. Mortise locks in metal doors are located close enough to the surface of the iron sheet. This makes the mechanism more vulnerable. In turn, in wooden doors, such devices are even more accessible for breaking, since there is a possibility of drilling them.

Mortise locks are the optimal solution for entrance metal doors

Note! To enhance protection, it is customary to use special armored plates that protect against burglary.

The device of mortise locks determines the features of their installation. Such mechanisms are located in a niche, which is performed on the end surface of the canvas. The lock is fixed by means of a special bar. Mortise mechanisms are distinguished by a high rate of burglary resistance. This parameter is largely determined by the quality and reliability of the main part of the device - the core.

Metal door lock: burglar resistance class

Burglary resistance is one of the main parameters, according to which there is a differentiation of locking devices installed on the entrance metal sheets. All locks are divided according to this indicator into 4 classes.

Locks are divided by resistance to burglary into 4 classes

1 class. This group includes mechanisms that are least protected from hacking. Locks of this type are made of materials that are not very durable. An experienced burglar will take no more than 2-5 minutes to open such a device. Models belonging to class 1 are not recommended for installation on entrance doors. The operational scope of such devices is limited to interior linens and outbuildings.

Grade 2. Locks for entrance metal doors of this type can be used on entrance structures. However, their complexity is quite low, which is reflected in the protective qualities. It takes 5 to 7 minutes to break into such a device.

Grade 3. Products belonging to this group are the most suitable for installation on entrance structures. They are most often installed in canvases, the function of which is to protect the living space from the penetration of unauthorized persons. Such devices are distinguished by high quality components. It takes at least 15 minutes to open a lock of class 3 burglary resistance.

4th grade. This group includes the most reliable mechanisms. In order to open a lock in a metal door, which belongs to this class, it will take at least half an hour of time. As a rule, such locking devices are installed on armored structures, which provide maximum protection of the premises from unauthorized intrusions.

For reliable protection of the house, it is better to choose locks of the third or fourth class of burglary resistance

Finding out the class of resistance of the locking mechanism to burglary is quite simple. In most cases, this information is prescribed in the technical documentation, along with which the product is sold. A more accurate description of the classes can be studied in GOST, which regulates locks for door panels.

Locks on an iron door: the level of secrecy of the mechanism

Before purchasing a locking device, you need to pay attention not only to its resistance to burglary, but also to the level of secrecy.This parameter is very important, as it also determines the protective characteristics of the mechanism. When buying a lock, as a rule, sellers focus on the number of combinations that the device has. This characteristic is important, but it is not the main one.

Helpful information! First of all, you should make sure that the mechanism has protection against pick picks, as well as knocking out and drilling.

The quality of the material from which the shut-off device is made and its resistance to corrosion also play an important role. All these properties are important, and the safety of the home will depend on them. Opening a metal door lock that meets these characteristics is much more difficult.

The higher the level of secrecy, the more difficult it is to pick a master key to the lock

Depending on the level of secrecy, all locking devices installed on metal doors are divided into 3 groups. Before buying, it is recommended to study in more detail the features of each variety.

Minimum secrecy. These devices are the cheapest. It should be noted that they differ from other mechanisms visually. The body of the lock, as well as all of its individual components, in this case are made of low-quality materials. The number of key combinations for such devices ranges from 10 to 10,000.

Related article:

Interior door lock: how to choose a reliable and durable mechanism

Features and types of devices for interior doors. Door handle with lock. Review of the best manufacturers. Councils for choosing a castle.

Medium secrecy. If you plan to change the lock in a metal door, then devices belonging to this group are most suitable. The number of key variations for such devices varies from 5 thousand to 5 million (depending on the lock model). In addition, such products are protected against pick picks, and they can also be resistant to drilling and knocking out. The protective characteristics of these devices are most suitable for installation on entrance doors that protect a private home from the penetration of unauthorized persons.

Maximum privacy. Models of this type have the highest cost. For private purposes, they are installed much less frequently than mechanisms related to the average level of secrecy. The installation of these products is advisable when it is necessary to ensure a high level of security in the premises.

Locks for metal doors of maximum secrecy are protected from picks, knocking out and drilling of the device

It is very difficult to open the lock of an entrance metal door of this type, even with the presence of special equipment. The maximum number of key combinations in this case can be up to 1 billion. Devices of this type are protected from picking, knocking out, drilling, and their body is made of durable and reliable materials.

Cylinder lock on a metal door: the most common option

Cylindrical devices have gained the most widespread popularity at the present time. This is due to their design features and quality characteristics. Such locking devices have several advantages that determine their prevalence among buyers:

• ease of installation;
• ease of use.

If the cylindrical device fails, it can be repaired. Mortise locks for metal doors this type is repaired by replacing the cylinder. Such a process is much simpler than a complete dismantling of the old device with the subsequent installation of a new locking device.

Cylinder locks are characterized by ease of installation and ease of use

The cylinder is the main element of this type of door lock. With the help of it, the door leaf is locked. The cylinder has other names, for example: a larva or a secret.Closing and opening of this type of metal door lock is done by means of a key that acts on thin needle-like elements (pins).

Note! The principle of operation of such a device is similar to the features of the operation of crossbar devices. It is rather difficult to pick such a lock. The degree of its resistance to burglary is determined by the number of pins that go into the device. Before purchasing a locking mechanism, it is recommended to ask the seller for this information.

If necessary, you can recoding the lock of this type of metal door. Such an event is carried out for two main reasons: to increase security, if the key is lost. Cylindrical devices have 3 levels of security. As already mentioned above, the optimal solution for a canvas installed at the entrance to an apartment or a private house are locks belonging to the medium security group.

Cylinder lock can be recoded if necessary

Varieties of cylindrical mechanisms and their features

Currently, all cylindrical devices that have a larva are divided into two types, depending on the design features: pin and disk. In order to change the lock on the entrance metal door to a cylindrical one, you need to familiarize yourself with its possible modifications.

The pin locking mechanism has several options that can be found on the market today. The peculiarity of such devices lies in their versatility. They are mounted not only on metal entrance doors, but also on interior doors.

Before purchasing a locking device, it is very important to pay attention to its modification. This is because some models are not suitable for front door installation. Pin cylinder devices are made for two types of keys: English and perforated.

The first type is not used on front doors. This is due to the fact that locking mechanisms for an English key have a low level of secrecy, and therefore are used for interior paintings. Therefore, you should choose the second option, which is suitable for replacing the lock in a metal door. The price of devices that open by means of perforated keys is higher than the cost of their counterparts.

1 - cylinder body, 2 - cylinder with a code mechanism, 3 - key hole, 4 - code pins, 5 - locking pins, 6 - leash / cam, 7 - mounting hole, 8 - spring, 9 - key, 10 - separation line between body and cylinder

Pin mechanisms with perforated keys have a higher degree of safety. On sale you can find devices that belong to the 2, 3 and 4 classes of resistance to opening. To increase safety, they are mounted under special armored linings.

Another type of cylindrical locking mechanisms is disc. A door with a lock of this type is characterized by a high level of secrecy. Unlike pin models, these devices do not have pins. Instead, there are special disc elements in the design. They are movable and set at a certain angle in a combination that allows you to open the door, which increases the protective characteristics of the device several times.

Helpful information! The key used to open the web with a disk cylinder device has a semicircular cross-section. It has notches to match the combination required to open the door.

Disc cylindrical locks for metal doors have a high level of secrecy

Suvald castle. What is it: photos and characteristics

The closure device of this type is characterized by a simple design. This, of course, has an impact on its protective qualities. However, it is not so easy to open such a mechanism without a key.The principle of operation of these locks is based on the coincidence of special plates that are located inside the device. They are called suvalds (hence the name of the device).

These mechanisms have a fairly low price. A leveler lock can be purchased for only 300-1500 rubles. Of course, there are also more expensive modifications. Such products are most often used when it is necessary to put locking devices on a single-layer metal door. It is almost impossible to find a lever lock in modern iron canvases.

It is important to remember that the larger the number of levers, the more difficult it will be for a cracker to open this mechanism. Such models are not the most reliable locks, but they still have some advantages:

• easy installation;
• protection against drilling;
• design reliability.

The price for lever locks starts from 300 rubles

There are also some disadvantages inherent in lever devices. First of all, it is worth noting that the key used to open such a mechanism is quite large. It is not always convenient to carry it with you. The second disadvantage of these devices is the presence of a through hole.

Bolt lock for an iron door: its features

Crossbar locking devices have rather weak protective qualities, which are due to their design features. Such devices have a second name - rack and pinion. The principle of operation of these locking mechanisms is quite simple. In order to open from the inside the canvas on which the lock is installed, it is necessary to press two levers, which will provoke the movement of the crossbars. From the outside, opening is performed using a straight key with grooves on both sides.

The price of door locks belonging to this group is quite low. The simplest crossbar mechanism can be purchased for only 300-400 rubles. It is very easy to crack such a locking device, therefore it is not recommended to install it to protect an apartment or a private house. It is best to use crossbars for outbuildings for various purposes.

Crossbar locks are best installed on the doors of outbuildings

These locks have other disadvantages that must be taken into account. For example, users pay attention to the fact that such devices often jam during operation. These problems are difficult to fix. In order to fix this type of metal door lock, you should understand the principle of its operation and the nature of the breakdown. In some cases, the best solution is to completely replace the device.

Note! Cloths equipped with such devices are often slammed. In some cases, the crossbars will jam when closing. As a result, you may not notice that the crossbars did not penetrate the mating holes.

Combined locks on the front door: price and characteristics

Many experts recommend installing such locking mechanisms on entrance doors made of metal. This is due to the fact that they combine two options for unlocking, which has a positive effect on the protective qualities of the device. It should be noted that such devices are much more difficult to break than ordinary locks. Double protection allows you to protect your home from unauthorized entry.

The combination lock combines the advantages of two different devices

Combined devices can be both two-cylinder and cylinder-lever. Both types of mechanisms in similar combinations work independently of each other, which increases the protective properties of the door. Locks and their constituent elements that are part of their design are made of high quality materials, durable and reliable.

When you try to break one of the locks, the second is automatically blocked. Thus, it is almost impossible to get into a dwelling with this mechanism on the front door.To open the lock of an entrance metal door of this type, it is necessary to break its integrity inside the canvas.
If desired, you can install two separate devices instead of the combined device. This practice is ubiquitous. Experts advise that when installing two or more locks, make sure that they are protected from burglary by special armored pads.

Recommendations for choosing a lock for a metal door

When choosing a locking mechanism, it is necessary to build on the purpose of the door leaf and the place in which it will be installed. The cost of the protective device also plays an important role. Not every owner can afford an expensive model equipped with additional protective elements.

When choosing a lock, you should pay attention to the quality of the material of the device.

Before purchasing a product, you need to know its class of resistance to burglary and the level of secrecy. It is recommended to protect the devices with armor plates that prevent opening the lock of a metal door.

In the event that a locking device is required to be installed in a canvas that goes out into the yard, it is not necessary to use complex mechanisms. The site, which is protected by a fence, is already sufficiently safe. In this situation, it is quite possible to use a conventional transom lock. However, this option is categorically not suitable for installation in a canvas leading to an apartment. In this case, the best solution is to integrate a cylinder or lever device into the metal door.

If you plan to install a locking mechanism on a forged fence, then it is better to give preference to products that operate on electricity. The street lock for the wicket must be made of high quality materials. It is very important that it is resistant to atmospheric precipitation.

It is advisable that the lock is closed from the inside with a rotary handle, since in the event of an emergency this will simplify the exit from the room

When choosing a lock, you need to take into account the material from which the door leaf is made. Structures made of wood are incompatible with dimensional mechanical devices.

Note! It is not recommended to purchase electromagnetic devices when there are frequent power outages in your home.

When buying a lock for a metal door with a handle, you need to pay attention to the quality of the fittings. It must be made of durable and reliable material. To protect the premises from burglary, devices belonging to the 3rd and 4th classes of secrecy are used.

Repair of locks in metal doors: causes of breakdowns and how to eliminate them

Do-it-yourself repair of locking mechanisms is carried out in cases where there is no need to completely replace them. In order to perform this operation, you first need to determine the nature of the breakdown. Consider the most common malfunctions that you can diagnose yourself, as well as options for their elimination.

Depending on the type of breakdown, repair of the lock for a metal door can be done by hand or call a specialist

One of the fairly common problems is the problem with the slamming of the tongue of the device. Most often this is a consequence of incorrect selection of the dimensions of the mating hole on the bow. The process of repairing the lock of an entrance metal door in this case involves expanding the hole in the strip. If desired, you can completely replace this element.

In some cases, the tongue does not fit into the mating hole due to the skew of the lock. This happens quite often, especially with intensive use of the mechanism. To fix it, you need to adjust the device. Blocking the tongue is a common problem that can be easily fixed with your own hands.

Difficulty opening the door may indicate a skewed locking device located inside the door leaf. In order to repair the lock of a metal door that is warped during operation, it is necessary to adjust the device and fix it in the correct position.

If the door lock was physically affected and the case was damaged, then it is better to replace it

Another common problem is a jammed key in the lock. It is worth noting that such a malfunction is most often observed in locking devices installed in metal sheets. In this case, the reason may be a banal clogging of the device mechanism. To solve this problem, it is necessary to disassemble the device, clean it of dust and lubricate it. A jammed lock can also indicate a broken cylinder. In this situation, the best way out is to completely replace it.

In order to select the appropriate locking mechanism for a particular application, all operational features should be considered. It is recommended to check the operation of the device before purchasing. The most suitable option is to purchase a mechanism belonging to the middle price group. Cheap devices do not always help to save money, since such a lock can fail quite quickly.