Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

Different Door Lock Types - A Simple Guide for your Safety and Security Home 

Different Door Lock Types - A Simple Guide for your Safety and Security Home 

Many people daydream about living in a gorgeous house. They picture everything that will go into it, from the big to the small and the top to the bottom.

They imagine what color the walls will be, what kind of fabric the curtains will be cut from, and what material the floors will be made out of. One thing that people often neglect, however, are the door locks.

Though door locks are usually not the most beautiful or visually striking aspect of a house, they are self-evidently one of the most important. A home needs a good door lock to protect everything inside, from the people to the valuables to the keepsakes. A good lock can end up protecting your very life.

It is ironic, then, those locks tend to be overlooked. Granted, they are small, but their effect, or lack thereof, can be keenly felt. You may not know what to look for in a door lock, and that’s okay! Not many people do. We’ll talk about the different kinds of locks, what to look for, and hopefully, you’ll end this article being able to pick out the lock that will keep you, your family, and your home safe!

Caring for Your Door Lock


Caring for a lock is very simple. In general, locks will not require much, if any, maintenance. Having said that, there are some easy, common sense things you can do to make sure your lock functions properly and stays that way for a long time. First, make sure the door is not getting slammed or opened in an awkward way. Slamming a door will end up loosening the lock over time, and a loose lock is less secure and easier to break. Second, you may notice that after a few years the lock may get squeaky or just won’t work as smoothly. If this happens, just a little WD40 will solve the problem.

Finally, it is normal for door locks to loosen up over time with use. This is most likely just a loosening of the screws that hold the lock in the door. If and when this happens, simply take a screwdriver and tighten the screws. If you do this and the lock is still loose, it’s time to turn to the professionals and call a locksmith.

How to Choose A Door Lock


Fortunately, door locks are not very expensive and will rarely run you over $100. In fact, it is rare to find a door lock that is more than $50. The primary point of consideration for door locks, therefore, is safety and aesthetics. You will want to make sure that any exterior door has as strong a lock as possible, and ideally more than one (doorknob lock, deadbolt, and chain). You will also want to make sure that whatever locks you decide on match the decor of your house.

1. Doorknob Locks


Doorknob locks are the most common locks in the world. You’ll see them everywhere, in all kinds of buildings, on every kind of door. These are often the only locks on bedroom or bathroom doors, and they can be used on front doors in combination with a deadbolt or another kind of lock. These kinds of locks have the lock mechanism on the inside of the doorknob itself and the screws to keep the lock in the door are always placed on the inside so that the doorknob cannot be simply screwdriver out of the door. There will typically be a flip switch on the inside and a keyhole on the outside. A high-quality doorknob lock will be $30 to $50.

2. Handleset


A handleset is exactly what it sounds like; it’s a lock that comes with a handle. These can get very fancy, and because they can get fancy, they are often used on front doors. If they are used on front doors they will almost always come with a deadbolt to provide extra security. Because these kinds of locks have multiple pieces (lots of metal) and are a bit more intricate, they can be as much as $100.

3. Hand Lever


Hand levers are practically the same as doorknob locks, but instead of a doorknob there is a lever. The difference will come down mostly to personal taste. Although, hand levers could work better for heavier doors, since the lever gives, as the name implies, more leverage upon opening the door. Hand levers are quite inexpensive and can be purchased for $20.

4. Deadbolts


Deadbolts are the standard for locking doors. They come with just a circular knob for the keyhole and a plate for the bolt. You will want to have a deadbolt on every door in your home that faces the outside, in addition to having them on interior doors. Deadbolts can be found quite cheaply, for as little as $30, but make sure you find a good one!

5. Barrel Bolt


Barrel bolts are usually found on the inside of doors and are meant to provide that extra ounce of security and peace of mind. It’s just a simple barrel that you push across the door frame so that the door can only be opened from the inside. It’s just not worth skimping here when you can get a super high-quality one for only $10 more than the average price of $5. The barrel bolt is normally the last line of defense against burglars.

6. Chain Lock


Chain locks serve more or less the same purpose as a barrel bolt. They can only be secured from the inside, so any time they are in use, you will be home. The nice thing with a chain lock is that it allows you to open the door to talk to the person on the other side without totally unlocking it. Like barrel bolts, chain locks can be bought for as little as $12, and like chain locks, you should spring for a high quality one, as an extra ten or twenty dollars here will be very worth it.

7. Cam Lock


A cam lock is typically found on things like filing cabinets or safety deposit boxes. It is basically a smaller version of a deadbolt, but instead of the deadbolt sticking straight out, a smaller piece of metal swings into place. It is rare to find a cam lock on a door inside of a house, but these can be useful for things such as cabinets or makeshift safes, because of how small they are. They will be about $15.

8. Electronic Locks


Electronic locks are a fairly new innovation. They take the form of something like a doorknob or lever lock, but instead of a keyhole they are controlled with a keypad, or maybe are connected via Bluetooth to a phone. Many people like these locks because they can alert the user to times when the door opens, allowing them to monitor the comings and goings of their home. Prices for locks like this vary widely, and can be anywhere from $100 to $300.

9. Padlock


We all know what a padlock is. We’ve been using them since middle school on our lockers. It is rare that a padlock will be used on a house door, but in some cases, it might make sense, especially if the building is going to be vacated for a long period of time. Padlocks vary greatly in price depending on quality, and in general, the more expensive, the more secure the lock will be. Low-end versions will come in at about $30.

In Conclusion


As you can see, there are many possibilities for door locks. They are customizable based on price, style, and security level. Whether you are building a house from scratch or looking to replace an old, malfunctioning lock, you can pick and choose from the list above in order to cultivate the kind of appearance that you want for your home.

Before you make a decision, and before you make a purchase, be sure to consider all of your options. As we discussed, locks are something that you do not want to mess with, especially with exterior doors. This is an issue of safety, and a good lock can literally be the straw that breaks the camel’s back between life and death. When it comes to life and property, things should not be taken lightly, and therefore your lock purchase and installation should be made with great thought and care.

Last, but not least, many of the locks above are operated with keys. A good lock doesn’t mean anything if you’re not careful with the keys. Make sure that you take care of your keys. Make sure that you have copies of the keys in case the primary one gets lost, and make sure that they are in safe places or with people you know and trust. Always have a backup plan!

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
UAE Offers Free ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions to Citizens
Lebanon Initiates Plan to Disarm Palestinian Factions
Iran and U.S. Make Limited Progress in Nuclear Talks
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Trump Administration's Tariff Policies and Dollar Strategy Spark Global Economic Debate
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.5 Billion to Build a Revolutionary “Third Core Device”
Turkey Weighs Citizens in Public as Erdoğan Launches National Slimming Campaign
Saudi-Spanish Business Forum Commences in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign MoU to Boost SME Sectors
UK Suspends Trade Talks with Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Iran and U.S. Set for Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Michael Jordan to Serve as Analyst for NBA Games
×