Cylinder locks are one of the most common types of residential locks on the market. Cylinder locks work by allowing a key to be pushed into them, which arranges the pins into a preset configuration that releases the lock to allow entry. Because of this distinctive method of operation, cylinder locks carry a distinctive set of advantages and disadvantages. Knowing what they have to offer can help you decide whether or not cylinder locks are the right fit for your home's locks.
Advantages of Cylinder Locks
Easy to change: Because they make use of pins and tumblers to work, cylinder locks can be easily rekeyed by locksmiths if you lose your keys or in the aftermath of a break-in, which is an affordable way to improve the security of your home when compared to replacing the entirety of the lock.
Ease of installation: The installation process for cylinder locks is fairly straightforward, requiring only the drilling of holes within the door it is going to be installed in. Further, many doors can be purchased with these holes or the entire lock itself already installed, making the installation process much easier.
Single or double cylinder: Cylinder locks extend all the way through the door handle, which means that they can be either single or double cylinder. Double cylinder locks require two keys, one on the outside and another on the inside, to open, providing a greater degree of security to your home. Single cylinder locks work like most normal door locks, requiring only an exterior key to open.
Customization: Because of their affordability and widespread use, there are a wide range of different styles and variations of door handles with preinstalled cylinder locks available. This means that you can easily customize the appearance of your door handle to match the design of the door or room that it is installed in.
Disadvantages of Cylinder Locks
Easily picked: Though the use of pins in cylinder locks makes it easy for them to be altered by locksmiths, it also makes it fairly easy for a thief or lock pick to open the door with the right tools and knowledge. While double cylinder locks provide a higher degree of security and won't be able to be opened from the outside, this is still something to take into consideration.
Deadbolt use: One downside of cylinder locks is that if you don't have a deadbolt installed with the cylinder lock, you may require two keys to open your door if you choose to upgrade your door's security in the future, which can be a hassle. Contact a business, such as Bob's Lock & Key, for more information.