If you are looking to improve your home security and you’ve been recommended a cylinder lock but aren’t sure which cylinder lock to choose or even what a cylinder lock is – we’ve put together the perfect buying guide for you.
Shape.
Cylinder locks come in either Euro shape or Oval shape. Euro cylinder locks are the most popular type of lock around homes in Britain and Europe plus, come in a wide selection of sizes. Oval cylinder locks are not as popular as Euro cylinders. In turn, oval cylinders feature a more limited size range and are not as easy to replace.
Types.
Cylinder locks can be keyed on both sides, thumbturn or half euro keyed. These options feature different levels of security and convenience.
- Keyed on both sides means that you’ll require a key to operate the lock from the inside and outside of the door.
- Thumbturn cylinder locks feature a key opening on one side and a thumbturn handle on the other.
- Half euro cylinders only require the door to be locked from one side.
Standard cylinders are recommended for interior doors, such as our Evva polished brass oval single cylinders and Evva nickel plated thumbturn euro cylinders. These feature a 30-minute fire resistance to 821 degrees Celsius.
For entrance and back doors, a more secure cylinder lock is required. We have available TS007 3 star standard cylinders which will withstand a break-in attempt by being anti-snap, anti-bump, anti-drill and anti-pick. Some of our most popular high security cylinder locks include satin nickel 3 start TS007 euro cylinders, polished brass TS007 child safe thumbturn cylinder locks and polished chrome child safe euro cylinder locks.
Size.
In case you require a new cylinder for your new door, you’ll need to consider the thickness of the door and any door furniture, such as door handles.
- Measure the external size to centre by determining the length of the outside edge of the door, including door furniture, to the centre of the door.
- Then, do the same for the inside edge of your door to find out the internal size to centre.
- If measured correctly, the overall length should be equal to the dimensions of the external size to centre and internal size to centre combined.
If you are replacing a cylinder, it’s important to consider if you have a half cylinder, double cylinder or thumbturn cylinder. Half cylinders differ from the other alternatives as the centre point on these cylinders is not in the middle. The centre point is the round screw centre located towards the back of the cylinder, so simply measure the external size to the screw centre and internal size to the screw centre.
Require further assistance in choosing the right cylinder lock for your property? Contact our team today on 01376 557 561 or via email at info@ironmongeryexperts.co.uk.
