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5
Steps To Changing Your Locks at Home
Changing
locks in your home sounds so simple, and it can be if you
know what you’re doing. Of course there
are on the market different styles of handles, and certain
styles have different locking mechanisms. Each style has its
own unique function, so if you’re going to change your lock,
know what type works best and why. Read on and learn a little
about how to change a basic lock, and other style issues and
uses.
You need to know what you’re using your lock for before changing
out the lock. Here are a few styles that you’ll want to consider.
Free
through Passage Handles. If you need to change the handles
in your house for a closet then you won’t have to fool with
locks on this one. It’s free through exactly as the name sates.
You can buy them in a knob type handle style, or a lever type
that is very popular. Of course make sure that you don’t need
one a lock before purchasing a free through handle. Any medications
that are stored will need to be locked if you have small children
around.
Privacy
Door Knobs. Commonly used in the areas of a bedroom
or bathroom where privacy is most desired. The lock on these
doors are made where you can unlock the door from the inside
by turning an extra switch, or just by turning the knob.
Entrance
Locks. This type of lock is very popular for a garage
door or anywhere that you’ll want limited access to areas that
might have dangerous chemicals, or sharp machinery or tools.
The style is not totally secure because if it’s used on fencing
around a pool someone can hop the fence, and get right into
the area you’re trying to keep closed. Consider enclosing any
area like this with a much taller fencing system for better
security.
Decorative
Door Knobs. These types of knobs are used for spicing
up the look of your house. Popular places for placement are
on French doors. You can use them on pantries too as long as
you don’t have anything in there that’s hazardous. There’s
no lock on these, so make sure that you’ll use them in the
correct way. Handles can be placed on both sides of the door,
but you’ve got a choice of having them only on one side too.
A cap in a matching color is on the other side with fake trim.
Security
Single Deadbolt Lock. This lock is good for any entrance
door to the home, such as a front or back door. You can put
them on interior doors that lead from a garage to inside of
the house too. It’s advisable to use this type of lock with
doors that don’t have glass panes or side lights. It would
be very easy to enter by just breaking the glass and reaching
in to turn the knob. It has one cylinder on the outside. You’ll
enter by using a key from the outside of the door.
Security
Double Deadbolt Lock. Use this type of lock when
you want extra strength and security for you doors. This deadbolt
lock can be locked from the inside or outside of the door using
a key. Other types of locking mechanisms can be added for security
such as a chain too.
Decorative
Deadbolt and Latch Set. This type can be made as
either a knob or handle type. It’s a deadbolt lock and a door
latch in one. You can use the two configurations by themselves
too. It just depends on your needs.
Now that you’ve got an idea about the different types of styles
and their locking mechanisms you’ll need to figure out if the
door handle that you’ve got now is appropriate, or if you just
want a new style of lock and handle to replace the older one.
Considerations for changing your lock are below. If you’re
upgrading your lock these are a few tips that will come in
handy when doing it.
- Latch
plate. The latch plate hole might not be deep enough
for a better quality latch. The latch plate is on the interior
part of your door. Open it and remove the existing latch plate.
- Try fitting the new latch plate into the old hole. If it doesn’t
fit flush with the hole, you’ll need to chisel out the old
hole to a deeper depth.
- Check to make sure that the plunger for the deadbolt matches
up with the hole in the door frame. The lock won’t do any good
for security if the holes don’t line up.
- For extra security add longer screws to the pre drilled areas
on the plate.
- Readjust if needed for security purposes.
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