A Closer Look At Schlage Locks

A Closer Look At Schlage Locks

Posted by on Jun 5, 2016 in Locksmith |

Schlage locks offer many advantages and innovations that discount brands don’t. Because of this, Schlage is preferred by many builders, locksmiths and security specialists. Following are some the features that make these door locks stand out.

The tubular design of Schlage locks makes them almost impossible to pick. In addition, the keys have an abnormal shape and bittings on multiple faces of the key. The forged brass construction also makes them resistant to kick-ins and other types of tampering.

Schlage electronic1Electronic locks are available for both residential and commercial applications. These allow for keyless entry, multiple user codes, and auto-locking after the door recloses. Schlage pre-programs the electronic locks with random codes so no two locks are the same from the factory, thus adding another layer of security.

All Schlage products are rigorously tested to meet ANSI standards. The locks are long-lasting and easily re-keyed or repaired by a locksmith. While discount brands may malfunction after heavy use, Schlage offers a 3-year warranty on commercial locks and a limited lifetime warranty on residential locks.

Schlage D-seriesThe Grade 2, residential locks from Schlage meet the same stringent security requirements as their Grade 1 commercial locks. For example, the solid, one piece design of the deadbolts makes them resistant to attacks with hammers or crow bars. The Grade 1 security also prevents the key cylinder from being knocked out with a screwdriver or chisel.

The security features alone make these locks a top seller. However, innovation with electronic locks, including remote access and control via the Web make Schlage the industry leader in door security. The Schlage lock has been a trusted symbol for almost a century, providing the finest in home and business security. The new keypad locks and deadlocks are no exception, combining high quality metal works with digital technology to provide maximum security. Both keypad and deadbolt lock types can be used for homes and offices. Keypad locks have levers while deadbolts use thumb-turns. The bodies and levers of the locks have different shapes and styles like the Plymouth, Camelot, Addison, Century and Wakefield designs. They also come in bright brass, aged bronze and satin nickel finishes. All of them can be equipped with the new keypad system.

These locks are programmable by an administrator (owner), who is given a 6-digit programmers key upon purchase. Access to the door is granted upon input of a 4-digit combination. A lock can have up to 19 working 4-digit combinations at a time (from a total of 10,000 possible combinations). After four failed attempts of entering the code, the lock will make warning sounds, and the keypad will be disabled for a few seconds.

Both the lever and deadbolt lock’s hardware have two available types: the Autolock and the Flexlock. The Autolock has no thumb-turn or lever from the inside. The bolt automatically locks after five seconds of being closed. This guarantees that you will never forget to lock an important storage or work room. The Flexlock, on the other hand, allows both manual locking (from the inside) and automatic locking after five seconds. The latter is recommended for the main doors of a home.

One may think that installing such a complex system would be difficult. However, it is a simple as installing ordinary door knobs and deadbolts. There is no need for extra drill holes since it will fit on regular door preps. Battery replacement is minimal since the alkaline battery (9 volts) will last up to three years.

One of the most amazing features of this cutting edge security system is the Z-Wave “Schlage LiNK” system. This is a wireless network, which allows your keypad and deadlocks to be accessed over the internet. This system uses the Bridge, a secure online application. Through this feature, you can lock, unlock and block 4-digit combinations wherever you are by connecting to the Internet through a phone or a computer. The Bridge also allows you to monitor who is opening your door. Their respective pass-codes are recognized by the computer. You can also open/lock the doors remotely in cases of fire and other emergencies.

Finally, the Z-Wave network for your lock can be enhanced to control house lights. Through this, you can manage the lighting of your house, even if you are miles away. By programming through the Bridge, you an also make your houselights “greet” incoming users differently depending on their individual pass code.

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Types of Deadbolt Locks – Which One To Choose?

Types of Deadbolt Locks – Which One To Choose?

Posted by on Jun 4, 2016 in Locksmith |

Worried about the security of your home and car from burglars? Normal locks not sufficient to gain your faith in their security level? It’s time you bought a deadbolt lock. One of the most secure locks worldwide, deadbolt locks provide you with more security than the commonly used Spring-Bolt Lock.

There are three common types of deadbolt locks according to www.burbanklocksmith.org and each of them has a unique feature and is for a different purpose. It’s important to know each of these locks if you are looking forward to buying one of these for your security.

Single Cylinder Deadbolt:

This is a basic deadbolt which locks and unlocks from the outside with a key. For access from the inside you have a metal latch which lets you lock and unlock the door. This type of deadbolts is commonly used at the main entrances of households. If you are investing in a deadbolt lock for your home this is the perfect choice for you coz it restricts access from outside to a key but allows free access from the inside by the operation of a latch.

Double Cylinder Deadbolt:

double cylinder deadboltThis is a more complex form of deadbolt and requires you to have a key to lock and unlock the door from both inside and outside. Considered to be more secure it is mostly used in doors with glass windows. Even if a burglar breaks the glass windows he/she cannot open the door without a key. It also imbibes in you the good habit of locking the door while closing it. However the drawback of this lock is in emergency situations like a fire. In the case of an emergency when everyone rushes to evacuate, this door can pose a problem and hence it doesn’t come up to the marks for fire safety. This type of lock is good for you if you are using a door with glasses but you must consider the fire safety norms before making a purchase.

Keyless Entry Deadbolt:

Kwikset KEvo Plus 1This type of deadbolt does not require a key as it uses a numeric keypad with a unique password to lock and unlock the door. It often also comes with a remote control which sends signals to the lock to open or close. This type of lock is used in cars. Sometimes these locks also come with a key to override the lock mechanism.

The Keyless Entry Deadbolt also finds massive use in the security of safes. This type of lock is designed more for your convenience. The only drawback this lock has is that it becomes null if exposed to moisture coz this is battery operated. This lock is also much more expensive than the other deadbolts. However it’s worth the buck and if you are looking for a lock for your car or safe this is just the thing for you.

Before you begin, make sure that you thoroughly read the instructions for your particular model of deadbolt. The instructions that I’m going to give you are simply general directions on how to install an everyday deadbolt lock. Your model may have an extra step, or one less, if you bought a different model. At its basics, installing a deadbolt is like installing a fancier, more secure lockset; so if you’ve ever dealt with that you should already be a step ahead of the game.

First, take the template that came with your deadbolt set and tape it around the edge of the door where you want to position the deadbolt. Ideally, you don’t want to place it less than 6 inches or further than 12 inches away from the door knob. Make sure that it is level and that the two holes for the actual deadbolt set line up on either side of the door. You can us the approximate reference points on the template for the thickness of your door. Tape it into place so that it doesn’t move. Use a pencil or an awl to mark the door where the holes should be placed.

Now, your door should be marked for where you’re going to drill. Use the hole-saw attachment and a pilot bit to drill out the door for the deadbolt. Stop drilling when the pilot bit emerges from the opposite side of the door and continue drilling from the other side. Never drill straight through your door as it will cause the wood to splinter and one side of your door will wind up looking pretty bad.

Use a smaller hole-saw attachment and drill out the hole for the bolt. Stop drilling when you reach the hole created for the deadbolt. You can use a combination square to keep you level with the door, but most power drills these days come with a level on them. Check your instruction for specifics on this step as some bolts require a different drill pattern. Once you’ve done this, put the latch plate over the bolt hole and trace its outline onto the door. Use the chisel to create a space for the latch plate making sure that it will be flush with the edge of the door. My suggestion is to work in small increments. You can always chip more away, but you can’t add more wood once it’s gone. Once this is finished, use the sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the holes and latch notch.

Now before you install the deadbolt, try assembling it. This will give you a good idea of where things are supposed to go before you have to work within the confines of the door. Once you’ve established the relationship between the locks moving parts, go ahead and install the lock. Be sure that it’s snug within the holes that you drilled for it. If it moves around inside of the holes, you may need to apply some silicone to make it fit correctly.

Now that your deadbolt is installed, you need a strike plate on the door jamb. The best way that I’ve found to accurately do this is to apply a little ink (or lipstick or paint) to the edge of your bolt. Close the door and try to turn the bolt. When you release the bolt and open the door, the ink will have perfectly marked the strike path of the bolt. This is where you’ll work.

Using the same methods that you used to install the latch plate, you’ll install the strike plate. Secure the strike plate around the ink outline of the bolt and trace the plate’s outline with your pencil. Using the same hole-saw attachment that you used to drill out the hole for the bolt, drill out the same hole in the door jamb. This will only secure an outline of the hole. Use a regular drill piece to drill out the center; if you have a spade bit, this is a great time to use it though it’s not extremely necessary. Use the chisel to carve out the mortise for the strike plate, again making sure that it will be flush with the door jamb. Drill holes for the screws then mount the strike plate to the door jamb.

Now close the door and turn the bolt into place. If it doesn’t smoothly drive into place, you may need to widen the holes or the bolt or in the door jamb. If it does, that’s great. You just made your home a bit more secure by installing a deadbolt.

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Be Secured Through The Use Of A Padlock

Be Secured Through The Use Of A Padlock

Posted by on Jun 3, 2016 in Locksmith |

There are many uses for a padlock whether it’s at the house or for use in your business. It’s a small simple to use a lock for locking up such things as gates to lawn equipment when they are not in use. Appearing more than a thousand years ago the pad lock has developed to be more complex yet still a simple tool to secure almost anything. The small and easy to use locks are popular to utilize from anywhere from Jails to schools that make it easy to secure just about anything giving you more protection and portability you want. Thanks to Tempe Locksmith Pros for the useful information on this article.

The history of padlocks goes back many hundreds of years and continues to be used today. Evolving from a simple way just to keep people out or prevent them from entering a certain area to a complex combination or key lock that is used today. Then even up to now the padlock has found its use in many different ways while holding its popularity.

This kind of lock is often employed for locking something like a chest or a gate as well as many other applications too. In many cases, many people that may have an outside storage garage must use a padlock to lock the door. This can prevent or may slow down a person that wants to get entry to something that is inside of it. It could also be used to lock things with chains that are wrapped around an object like a small trailer or other an assortment of other portable equipment. This may assist prevention of theft as it could slow down the person trying to gain unauthorized entry.

PAdlock3When it comes to how a lock works, it’s still quite simple. The keypad locks work by just inserting the key and turning to open it or then locking. The combination locks have a preset code that you choose, and then you turn the numbers to that set number this allows it to open. Over time, the mechanisms have changed greatly, but the basic use is the same yet still a popular way to keep people out.

The padlock today is used in many industries including many personal uses for just about everything that needs to be locked. Many businesses utilized them to secure tool chests or doors for use only by authorized personnel. It’s become an essential tool to use just about anywhere you can attach it.

There is a variety of padlocks on sale nowadays ranging from steel locks that offer tougher security to combination locks and brass padlocks for more general use. Each type of lock has its specific use no matter it’s for a tougher security lock or wet weather. It’s easy to understand why many people utilized them to lock almost anything.

Looking onlineIf you take a look online, there are plenty of choices for finding and buying padlocks for your security needs. Web sites are popping up everywhere offering simple but safe online shopping and shipping for those that find it convenient. This way it can save you a trip to the store when you don’t need it right away. When you do need to secure a gate or chain something up, there should be plenty to choose from at your local dealer.

Even more than ever the padlock has become an effective, useful tool for locking equipment or securing things at home or for businesses. The wide range of uses and selection for whatever you need, whether for locking a home fence or even your garage door, a padlock can be and excellent tool. Since it is small, easy to use with a great range or portability, it remains a very popular solution for everyone’s protection against theft or unauthorized entry. So when you want something simple yet effective padlocks can secure just about everything.

If you frequently travel as well, you can also take advantage of the benefits of a padlock. The benefits of a padlock arise when you need to keep the possessions you have stored in your luggage safe. If you need to keep your luggage safe by securing it up with a padlock, you can simply attach a padlock to the zippers of your luggage. Once you do this, you will be the only person who can open the luggage.

Obviously, there are much more applications that padlocks can be subjected to as well. As you can see, there is a very large amount of uses this type of lock can be used for. Whether you need to keep your possessions safe, or you need to keep intruders out, a padlock is a perfect solution for getting the job done in all of these different situations.

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Rekeying vs. Changing Your Locks

Rekeying vs. Changing Your Locks

Posted by on Jun 2, 2016 in Locksmith |

Every home and business owner knows how important it is to secure one’s property and there are many requirements that a security measure should meet. Did you just acquire the space? What are the kinds of locks that are currently installed? How old are the installed locks, and do they meet your needs with regards to the security level you are after? Do you feel safe with the amount of security your locks provide? These are just some of the essential questions you should find answers to, so you can make a rather sound decision in choosing whether to rekey or change your locks completely. Big thank you to Greshamlocksmith.org for all the helpful information.

First, let us define lock rekeying…

Rekeying2Before you decide whether to rekey or change the lock assembly of your business space or home, you need to understand first how a lock rekey procedure goes as well as its pros and cons. It is actually one of the most common tasks for locksmiths, but it is still a complicated security lock that gives sufficient protection.

A lock rekeying process changes the tumblers of your current lock so that all of the wafers would be jumbled or set in a much different order. This is usually done to retain the lock that is already utilized, but still change the keys entirely. A competent locksmith can easily use the newer code from the tumblers, so that the current keys will no longer work with the changed lock tumblers.

If the locks on your doors are made of a (ANSI) security grade of one or higher, then your locksmith wont have to go through a lot of hassle to rekey all of them. This also a great factor you need to consider if you want to update your locks, but also save a couple of bucks at the same time.

The Benefits You Can Get from Rekeying Your Locks

As soon as you have your locks rekeyed, you wont have to worry about buying any additional hardware anymore which would usually reap you off your hard earned money. Below are more benefits you can get from rekeying your locks.

*It will maintain the current aesthetic of your door, which is without any annoying paint lines.*it is very convenient, because you can use the same locks.*It would cost you much less!

You Need to Change Your Locks If…

When the current locks to your house or business space are shaky and old, out of style and jiggly, then it is definitely time for you to change the assembly of your locks entirely. Below are the three signs you need to watch out for that would signify that you need a replacement job done.

*If your locks have experienced being damaged, broken into or any other mishap

When some parts of your current locking system has already been taken out from the frame of the door, or the entire assembly has been worn down already that you can already witness the sections of the lock not doing the security mechanism it is supposed to perform, then it is now time for you to purchase a brand new lock set.

*If your locks are rather old that there are no longer parts available in the market

You could have an antique set of locks. This is actually bad news, if this is the case, because that would mean you can no longer have the option of having the locks rekeyed. Your only point of action now is to change the locks altogether. If you upgrade your locks, you would get a much higher level of protection because locks are already manufactured with high tech procedures in the recent years. If you insist on having your antique locks rekeyed, then let me warn you that you will have a very hard time finding a locksmith that would work on your antique locks.

*If you are requiring a high level of protection for your business space or home

biometric fingerprint lock1Your current locks may be installed with a rather poor or low security rating. If you want to feel more secure with your system of protection, then you might want to put upgrading the locks into a Grade 1 security level into your to-do list.

Changing your locks would mean you get to utilize a newer and better technology. The modern locks are much harder to drill, tamper with and pick. We recommend that you ask your locksmith which brands are the best in producing quality locks, since there are so many to choose from. If you once had a bad experience with a specific brand of locks in the past, you should also discuss it with your locksmith so he or she can advise you regarding your concerns.

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Finding A Good Locksmith Online

Finding A Good Locksmith Online

Posted by on Jun 1, 2016 in Locksmith |

Today, you never know when something bad could happen. For this reason, most want to make sure their families are protected as one of their first priorities. Of course, you can do this by using such things as reinforced doors, however, they are little use if you do not have good locks on them. In consideration of this, you should make sure that you find a reliable locksmith and here is some information so help you with your search.

Finding an experienced and qualified locksmith is important. Very often, crooks masquerading as locksmiths will take advantage of you in a time of desperation. In order to avoid that, it is best to find a Great Locksmith Online even if you need service quickly. If you find a good locksmith before an emergency happens, this will make the process much easier.

Columbus LogoAn easy way to find a good locksmith is by simply asking around. Talk to family and friends who have had to use a locksmith in the past. Find out what they thought about their locksmith and what sort of prices they paid for their services. If you search for locksmiths this way, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy. If no one you know has the name of a locksmith, you can always go to a trusted local hardware store and ask people there. The owners of the hardware store will often work with locksmiths so they might have the name of one that can help you out.

During the time you are looking for a locksmith, try to find someone who is the best at what they do. With this in mind, look for a reliable company, which will increase the chances of having someone available during the times you need them most. Ultimately, a trustworthy locksmith is one of the most important things.

The last thing most people want is someone who will waste their time or money. Furthermore, hiring someone who is unreliable can put your family and possessions at risk. Mainly, you should look for a local company. The below steps will help you find a locksmith that you can trust.

Perform Background Research

One of the first steps to finding a good locksmith company is research. When you are looking up information on the company, also ask around. Many of the people you know are the best people to ask. In most cases, someone will know of a locksmith they recommend or think you should avoid. In addition, the internet acts as a great source for finding customer reviews in relation to the company.

During the time, you are researching the company look for information pertaining to whether people recommend the company, as well as the length they have been around. Additionally, research whether people were happy with the past work they have done. With most of the companies around today, they have some kind of presence online. Therefore, you should use this type of information in order to find out whether the company has any kind of references among other things.

In addition, if the company has a website, it would not hurt to look at this as well. During the time you are looking at their website, look at things such as the company philosophy in addition to if they are a company who has the types of services that you want and need. One thing to note at that time is whether their website looks as if it is reputable. Additionally, you should see whether they are a company that will have the capacity to unlock whatever it is that you need within a sufficient amount of time.

Call and Communicate

Calling a locksmithThe next step after finding a potential company involves the process of calling and asking them questions. This way you get a better feel for the type of customer service. In addition, ask them about their prices, as well as the types of payments they take. Another thing to ask is whether they have any type of additional fees in some situations.

In general, finding a good locksmith is one of the most important things that you can do for the safety of your family. In any case, always make sure that you research the company before allowing them to come around your home. Essentially, you should try to find out as much information as possible on any person who will be working around your home or family.

 

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