You know that saying, ‘a chain is only as strong as its weakest link’? In the physical security industry, those are our watchwords. You can have the strongest, most secure door in the world, but if your door locks aren’t strong enough to protect your property, then you are wasting your time.
If you’re wondering, among the many locks available, which door lock is the most secure? This blog post is dedicated to helping you find the right option, unpacking our top recommendations for supplemental locks on your security doors.
The Deadbolt
Deadbolts are a must-have for basic door security. Unlike regular locks that can sometimes be opened with a credit card, a deadbolt requires a key or thumb-turn to unlock, making it significantly harder to force open than a standard door lock.
There are two primary types of deadbolts: single-cylinder and double-cylinder. The single uses a key on the outside and a thumb-turn (or similar single-action mechanism) on the inside, allowing for quick and easy exit without a key. The double-cylinder requires a key on both the outside and the inside to operate. While a double-cylinder deadbolt secures a door against unauthorized entry, even if there are nearby glass panels, its use on fire exits is generally a direct violation of fire safety regulations. These regulations prioritize immediate, keyless egress from the inside via a single action, recognizing that requiring a key to escape during an emergency can have severe consequences.
Consider adding our steel mesh screen to a glass door so you can use a thumb-turn.
We recommend using two deadbolts to ensure your door cannot be forced open at any corner, or incorporating deadbolts as part of a broader lock system.
The ADI Locking Bolt
Next on the list is a heavy-duty option that adds some serious strength to any door. An ADI locking bolt is fitted inside the door, using a strong steel bolt to secure the entire mechanism.
This is a case of effective simplicity, as the design is fairly straightforward yet highly efficient. We recommend ADI locking bolts for back doors, and in conjunction with security mesh on
any glass door, and other entry points where additional protection is needed.
*If placed on the inside of a fire-exit door this should have a snib, but then would need steel mesh on a glass door also.
The Double Bloklok
There’s nothing wrong with a classic choice properly employed, and the Double Bloklok is the perfect choice for double doors to secure them together. These usually pair with Steel mesh on doors, preventing sliding action.
The ADI Bloklok’s effectiveness hinges on its robust construction. The hardened steel pin is a key element, strongly resisting sawing and drilling. Combined with an overall robust design using durable materials, this lock provides a reliable and formidable barrier against forced entry for various doors and gates.
The Strong Room Door Lock
If you’re protecting something highly valuable (such as cash, important documents, or equipment), you may need a robust room door lock. These door locks are fitted into heavy-duty doors with multiple locking points. You can even find versions with biometric scanners or an electronic access system, allowing you to integrate your locks into a wider automated system.
In other words, these are generally not for everyday doors at home. But for banks, offices, or any top-level security needs, you can’t go wrong with a strong room lock.
More Door Strengthening Options
Aside from securing the right locks, you also need to consider how to strengthen your existing doors to make sure they don’t buckle before your lock does. There are a few simple door strengthening add-ons that can help you accomplish this, like:
- An anti-jemmy strip, which covers the gap between your door and its frame, preventing someone from forcing the door with a crowbar.
- Steel door sheets, which stop your door from being kicked in entirely.
- Security drop bar, which sits across the inside of your door and locks into place for an additional layer of reinforcement.
- Roller door lockdowns, which help to manage potential weak spots on roller doors, stopping thieves from lifting it.
Investing in a reinforced door can bring you much-needed peace of mind and is worth the additional time to install it. Not to mention, they serve as a fairly effective visual deterrent to potential intruders seeking an easy target.
As you can see, there is no shortage of door locks available for various situations. We strongly recommend layering your locks together for increased security, especially if you have vulnerable areas nearby, such as windows, that could allow entry for potential intruders.
We also recommend strengthening the door itself, ensuring there is no weak link in your security chain for experienced intruders to exploit. With a top-notch strengthened door and an industry-leading system of locks, your place of business will be nigh-on impenetrable.
Lock down the right lock for your premises with Xpanda.
Whether you’re after one lock or a high-security combination of different door locks, the team at Xpanda can help you find the right ones. Explore your options with our range of expertly crafted physical security products and get in touch today so we can help you find the right option for your needs.