What Is A Cylinder Lock?

 Security concerns are increasing and locks are one of the widely used devices entrusted with the safety of our goods. To ensure maximum safety, locks are evolving at a fast pace. One such variety is the cylinder lock. In this article, we will provide in-depth knowledge and everything you need to know about cylinder locks.

What It Is?

A cylinder lock, as the name suggests, is a lock incorporated into a cylinder-shaped frame. The cylinder rotates to ‘move’ a bolt. It includes a keyhole and pins of different lengths. Once you insert a key, it should match with the pins of the different lengths. Once matched, on rotating the key the cylinder rotates and moves a bolt. This finally unlocks the cylinder key.

Most people prefer cylinder locks due to their ease of installation. It is, in fact, also preferred by the locksmiths. Rekeying this kind of lock after keying it once is rather easy. Moreover, there is no need of changing the bolting hardware while doing so.

Types

When it comes to choosing a cylinder lock, one might have a hard time as there is plenty to choose from. Each type has a unique special feature apart from the generic functionality of locking things up.

1. Rim Locks

We see this kind of cylinder lock often mounted upon the surface of doors; mostly cabinet, safe and shelf doors, and sometimes windows too. Upon installation, only the front portion of the lock having the keyhole remains visible.

It has a long tail-like structure in the end and a spring-loaded sliding latch bolt also known as the deadlocking bolt. The other portion is generally a thumb-turner.

The level of security offered by these locks is rather low. Often the screws holding the whole device together are visible from outside. Removing these screws is often easy. Hence, rim cylinder locks are mostly used in exit devices but not as entry door locks.

In addition, breaking these locks are quite easy too. They might not withstand a forceful kick or professional punches. The best use case for these locks is “providing friction”. These locks cannot be the front-line defence when it comes to securing a house.

Homeowners, aware of this fact, use these locks to hike the security “inside” their homes. Apart from security, they also provide a sophisticated look in bedrooms, living rooms, or even the bathrooms, due to their elegant and intricate design.

2. Double Locks

This kind of cylinder lock has double-ended access. Meaning, it can be locked and unlocked from both ends i.e. it has keyhole points on both ends of the cylinder. Double cylinder locks are mainly used in room doors.

Apart from being able to lock and unlock it from both ends, it also ensures higher security since there is no “thumb turn”. A key is necessary to get in (or out) once the door is locked.

If you have a door near a glass window, using double cylinder locks might be your best choice. Even if a burglar tries to break in by smashing the glass window, he/she won’t be able to unlock the door by putting their hand in.

However, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code 101 prohibits using this kind of lock at the main entry doors as it can become troublesome for the homeowners to exit the property in case of a fire emergency.

3. Euro Locks

This type of cylinder lock is mostly used in residential and/or industrial properties. The main advantage of using this particular kind is the ability to mix and match. Euro cylinder locks can be combined with any other kind and can be installed in a wide variety of door materials.

This customizability feeds the various forms this lock can come in. Starting from full or double euro cylinder, full thumb-turn euro cylinder, half or single euro cylinder, and even a half thumb-turn euro cylinder, there’s plenty to choose from depending upon your requirements.

4. Mortise Locks

At first glance, you might get confused between a rim cylinder lock and a mortise cylinder lock, but the latter has several unique features that set it apart. The exterior portion of these locks are “threaded” and have cams in place of the stems and bolts seen in the rim cylinder locks.

They are installed rather deeply with the door. After installation, nothing but the keyhole and rather a small portion of the keyhole outline. Hence they can’t be easily seen. So get a good mortise door lock for your door knob.

5. Key In Knob/Lever Locks

This type of cylinder lock is commonly seen on a regular knob lock or lever set. The keyhole is held by the cylinder. The length of the cylinder depends upon the size of the lever. The way the lever interacts with the cylinder varies in the different kinds of this lock.

6. Deadbolt Locks

This type of lock can be opened by either a key or a handle. The key when inserted rotates the cylinder and hence retracts the deadbolt. The inside of the deadbolt can be unlocked by a thumb turn or the key itself depending upon the variety used.

7. Profile Locks

This particular kind of lock is mostly seen in European countries. It varies in shape, from oval to teardrop-shaped. They also include a cam in the middle which can operate on both sides of the lock.

Door Cylinder VS Core

It is also essential to know the difference between a door cylinder and a core. Apart from the types of cylinder locks, The “core” of a cylinder lock is also a part of it. This part holds the pins of the lock through which the key is matched.  The door cylinder refers to the entire cylindrical body, the outer cylinder, and the inner core.

What Are The Advantages:

The popularity of cylinder locks is majorly due to their wide range of advantages over other locks.

The advantages follow like this:

a. It can be easily reconfigured/rekeyed.

Cylinder locks work through pin orientations. The key structure has to match the pins to get unlocked. For reconfiguring or changing the key, in case the key gets lost or stolen, all the locksmith needs to do is change the pin arrangement.

b. Available in both single and double cylinder locks.

Cylinder locks can be chosen depending upon the user’s requirement. One might just need key access only on one side of the door. Another user might need it on both sides. Cylinder locks are available in both variations.

Safety For Locks

The level of safety ensured by cylinder locks can be rated around 5-6 on a scale of 10. Consequently, it is advised to use these locks inside the house, on furniture locks or cabinet locks rather than the main entrances. These locks are best for offering that extra friction in case of break-ins.

FAQS

Final Talk

Now that we have informed you all about cylinder locks, we believe you feel much more confident in selecting and buying the lock you need. Remember, the right pick for a lock is always the one you feel most confident about.