Everything homeowners and business owners need to know about lock types, key systems, and making the right security choices for your property.
Understanding the different lock types helps you choose the right level of protection for every door on your property.
The gold standard for exterior door security. A deadbolt extends a solid metal bolt into the door frame, providing strong resistance against forced entry. Single-cylinder deadbolts are operated by a key outside and a thumb turn inside, while double-cylinder models require a key on both sides.
Essential for Exterior DoorsFound on most interior doors and often paired with a deadbolt on exterior doors. The locking mechanism is built into the knob itself. On their own, knob locks offer minimal security because the knob can be broken off with pliers or a wrench. Never rely on a knob lock alone for an entry door.
Interior Use RecommendedCommon in commercial settings and accessible-design homes, lever handles are easier to operate than round knobs. ADA-compliant versions are required for many commercial buildings. Available in a range of security grades from basic passage sets to high-security commercial models.
Commercial & AccessibleElectronic locks that can be operated via keypad codes, smartphone apps, fingerprint readers, or voice assistants. Smart locks offer convenience features like remote access, temporary guest codes, and activity logs. They can be a strong complement to traditional hardware but require batteries and connectivity.
Modern ConveniencePortable, detachable locks used for gates, sheds, storage units, and lockers. Available in combination and keyed versions. For outdoor use, choose weather-resistant models with hardened steel shackles. Disc padlocks offer superior resistance to bolt cutters compared to standard designs.
Portable SecurityA heavy-duty lock system installed inside the door body rather than on the surface. Mortise locks combine a deadbolt and latch in a single unit and are commonly found on commercial doors, apartment building entry doors, and older heritage homes. They offer excellent durability and security.
Heavy-Duty ProtectionBrands like Mul-T-Lock, Medeco, and Abloy offer pick-resistant, drill-resistant, and bump-resistant cylinders with patented keyways. These locks use restricted key blanks that cannot be duplicated without authorization, giving property owners complete key control. They represent the highest level of mechanical lock security available.
Maximum ProtectionTraditional cut metal keys with grooves along the blade that align with pins inside the lock cylinder. These are the most common type of residential key. They can be duplicated easily at any hardware store or locksmith, which makes key control difficult for property managers and landlords.
Patented key blanks that can only be duplicated by an authorized locksmith with proper identification and authorization from the key holder. Brands like Mul-T-Lock and Medeco use restricted keyways that are not available through general retail channels. This gives property owners complete control over who can have copies made.
Car keys with embedded electronic chips that must communicate with the vehicle's immobilizer before the engine will start. Even a perfectly cut physical duplicate will not work without the correct chip programming. Most vehicles manufactured after the late 1990s use transponder keys.
Proximity-based devices that communicate wirelessly with locks. In automotive applications, these enable push-button start. In residential and commercial settings, key fobs operate electronic access control systems. They can be programmed, deactivated, and managed centrally.
A hierarchical key system where individual keys open specific doors while a master key opens all doors in the system. Used extensively in apartment buildings, offices, and institutional facilities. A well-designed master key system balances convenience for management with security for individual tenants or departments.
This is one of the most frequent questions we get from homeowners and property managers. Here is how to decide.
You move into a new home or unit. Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys no longer work. It is faster and less expensive than full replacement.
A key is lost or stolen. If you have lost a key or had one taken, rekeying ensures that the missing key can no longer open your door.
A tenant moves out. Property managers should rekey between every tenant change as standard practice.
You want one key for all locks. A locksmith can rekey multiple locks to work with a single key, which is a popular request from homeowners tired of carrying a heavy keyring.
Your locks are damaged or worn. If a lock is difficult to turn, sticking, or visibly corroded, replacement is the right call. A worn lock is a weak lock.
You want a security upgrade. Moving from a basic Grade 3 lock to a Grade 1 deadbolt or a high-security brand requires new hardware.
You are adding smart lock capability. Switching from mechanical to electronic locks means installing new hardware on the door.
After a break-in. If a lock has been forced, drilled, or damaged during a break-in attempt, it should be replaced entirely rather than repaired.
These are the brands we trust for maximum mechanical security. Each offers patented key control and resistance to common attack methods.
An Israeli manufacturer known for their telescopic pin tumbler design that uses a pin-within-a-pin mechanism. The Interactive+ line adds a floating element inside the key that must be present for the lock to operate. Extremely resistant to picking, bumping, and drilling. We are authorized Mul-T-Lock dealers and installers in Vancouver.
An American high-security brand that uses angled pin cuts and a sidebar mechanism. Medeco keys must be both cut and rotated correctly to open the lock, making them virtually impossible to pick with standard tools. Their commercial-grade cylinders are widely used in government and institutional settings.
A Finnish lock manufacturer that uses a rotating disc mechanism instead of traditional pins. With no springs in the mechanism, Abloy locks are immune to standard picking techniques and highly resistant to environmental wear. Their Protec2 line is one of the most secure mechanical cylinders available worldwide.
Smart locks are increasingly popular in Vancouver homes. Here is an honest assessment to help you decide if they are right for your situation.
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