The first elementary tumbler type door lock was invented in around 2000 BC, was made of wood and probably didn't do much of a job for the more determined burglar, but it was a start. There was little choice for any one owning something of value, but to hide it out of the way, or lock it inside a house or some kind of heavy box. Sadly, this basic situation hasn't really changed - even if most of us don't have diamonds in the house, the total contents inan average home runs into many thousands of dollars, not to mention those irreplaceable items with sentimental value.
There's no getting away from it - a qood quality door lock is essential in the modern world, unless we live in one of those fabled places where people never lock their doors! If you need to fit locks to newdoors, then it's the ideal time to get exactly the right thing. If looking to replace your door locks to enhance your security, what are the types of door locks available? ...
The basic type of single throw lock with a bolt that slides from the door into the jamb is not really suitable by itself, but rather fulfills the need for a quick lock, while popping out for a short while, for example. If you already have this type of lock, then in the first instance change it for a double throw variety, which requires the key to be turned twice before being securely locked. An additional lock of different type, say, a Yale type variation, will also deter the casual thief from entering.
Remember that 80% of home entries and theft are by opportunists who see an easy entry. Another one of the most effective types of door locks is the dead bolt, and more specifically, the vertical dead bolt type. The locking bolts on some mechanisms are held in place by a spring, which can be forced. The deadbolt lock is much more difficult to defeat without breaking the door.
Tumbler locks and wafer locks, a later invention, rely on the key configuration to allow certain tumblers inside the mechanism to be in exactly the right position for a cylinder to turn, and push a deadbolt into place. They are hard to defeat, but can be jemmied with a crow bar, for example. It's essential the door frame is reinforced, so that entry can't be gained this way.
It's quite useless to have a fantastic door and locking system, if there is a small , easily accessed wooden panel or window to the side of the door through which someone could gain entrance. In many European countries, a locking system that not only pushes a bolt laterally into the door frame, but also upwards and downwards, provides enhanced security. It's worth while researching the types of door locks available and buying the very best quality you can afford.
