Fitting locks at the entrance door that keep you secure and are difficult to break is a major focus for home security. Here, we will discuss rim locks and the reason why they must be considered for security purposes.
Rim locks are improvisation of the latch bolt and mortise lock. Rim locks are said to be in use for 150 years. Nowadays we have advanced and highly efficient locks as compared to rim locks.
This has resulted in a decrease in the popularity of rim locks as compared to older times. At present, rim locks are less likely to be recommended for high-security systems.
Thus, rim locks can be considered a nominal safety measure. We cannot ignore the fact rim locks are still better than normal locks, hence must not be ignored. A locked door offers more security than an unlocked one. Scroll down to know more about Rim Locks.
What It Is?
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This lock is mounted on the surface of the door. It is fitted through some screws on the surface of the door. These were originally made using iron. But now their replicas are also available made up of nickel, brass, etc.
These locks are not suitable for main entry doors. Though they work well for interior doors. Rim locks use a sliding latch and deadlock mechanism. Rim locks with sliding latch mechanisms have knobs while those with deadlock mechanisms use the key.
The most unique feature of rim locks is that they can be operated from both ends of the keyway. They are warded locks; hence they deny the access if the wrong key is used as the right key will be shaped that way to fit in the wards of the lock. hence, they prevent unauthorized intruders to get into your house.
What Are Different The Parts?
Rim locks are less complicated as compared to most of the other locks available on market. The most significant parts of rim locks are: the lock body and the keeper. Privacy latch can be used additionally for increasing security.
1. Lock Body
The lock body consists of the spring-loaded latch or the deadlock bolt. If one of them is present then the other won’t be. Earlier, rim lock had lock body was made up of cast iron. But now its replicas are available with lock bodies made up of brass or nickel.
2. Keeper
The keeper is used as a holder for the latch and the deadlock bolt while the door is closed in its appropriate place. The keeper is made up of cast iron. But nowadays we have modern rim locks that constitute composite materials. The keeper is directly fixed firmly with the doorpost.
3. Privacy Latch
This is not a compulsory part of rim lock. Hence not all of them consist of privacy latches. Privacy latches are used additionally. If you want to lock the door from inside as well, then the rim lock must have a privacy latch. Thus, it becomes very important from a security point of view.
Rim lock has this one extravagant feature that until the privacy latch is disengaged, the door cannot be opened from the opposite end using key. This feature of rim lock can be hazardous as well as a security measure.
How does It work?
The working of the rim lock is very easy to understand. When the door is locked, then the rim is engaged, during which a bolt extends from the side of the door. There is a fixed notch on the frame of the door, the bolt sets into this notch when the door is locked.
To open the door, a key is required of appropriate shape that fits into the wards of the lock. When the right key is rotated then the bolt slides, the rim gets disengaged and the door unlocks.
Rim locks usually are available in two types depending upon the mechanism: Rim sash locks that have a simple latch with a handle and, Rim deadlocks that have a bolt and function with doorknobs.
How Rim Locks Ensure Safety?
Rim locks come warded. This means that they have obstructions that prevent unauthorized access. Most rim locks are awarded. Warded locks use blockades within the lock or on the keyway to avert unauthorized access.
The door unlocks only when the right key with the appropriate shape is used otherwise the access is denied. Also, some rim locks with an extra security feature constitute a privacy latch as well. In that case, until the privacy latch is disengaged from the interior, the door cannot be opened from the opposite end using the key.
What Are The Locking Mechanisms Used?
Rim lock uses two main mechanisms: sliding latch and deadlocking bolt. The sliding latch comes with a simple latch along with a handle for control. Deadlocking bolt consists of a bolt along with a knob for control purposes.
We have modified rim locks that are a combination of both the mechanisms and are known as Rim Sash Locks.
Where Is It Used?
Rim locks are now not as popular as compared to past years. But they are widely used in a few places. And due to its few features, they cannot be neglected at all. You can get a good motorized rim door lock for both interior and exterior doors.
Today they are commonly used in:
- Interior doors – rim locks are used in interior entrance doors. They are much better option as compared to others when it comes to ensuring the safety of interior doors. Especially the ones with privacy latch are preferred by homeowners. They are not used for exterior doors as they can be easily bypassed by applying force as they cannot withstand high pressure and forces.
- As additional locks – as they cannot withstand great forces hence, they are not used for exterior doors. But we can use them for additional security.
- For decorative purpose
Can We Use Rim Locks In Exterior Doors?
Rim locks cannot be used as the primary lock for exterior doors. Since it is the first step for an intruder to break into your house therefore it must be more secure and must have more efficient and stronger locks to withstand forces.
Though they can be used for additional safety along with the main lock. So, there will be more folds for someone to get unauthorized access.
Who Can Use Rim Locks?
People out there who have no locks on their doors can use simple lever locks and may use Rim Locks since they are obviously more secure as compared to simple locks. Someone who wants to add an extra safety fold at their exterior doors may also consider Rim Locks.
What Are the Vulnerabilities of Rim Locks?
As points mentioned above, we have already realized that they are not great locks when it comes to security. We must always consider the pros and the cons analyzing the strengths and the weaknesses. Though rim lock uses keyway operation, this doesn’t make it enough secure. So, here are the weak points of Rim Lock:
- They cannot withstand instinctual force outbreaks. They can be easily detoured by kicking and smashing or using some tricks.
- The entire lock body of the lock is exposed. Hence, they can be easily bypassed by using screwdrivers. This is the reason why they are not recommended for exterior doors.
- The Rim lock is warded. Warded locks can be easily disengaged by using skeleton keys. Skeleton keys are easily available online and in stores.
- Earlier they were made up of cast iron. Now we have replicas of them available that have lock bodies made up of nickel and brass which makes them weaker hence they cannot withstand forces.
Despite a few weak points, Rim Locks Still are still popular and recommended for securing our homes. We have modified and improvised versions of Rim Locks available online shopping websites and other stores, which have advanced safety features.
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