The right lock depends on the door, who uses it and how often access changes. A deadbolt that suits a two-flat back door is the wrong choice for a storefront exit, and a smart lock that works well at home may not fit a busy shared entrance.
Jose M. Hernandez Jr., owner of Omega Locksmith in Chicago, walks through the lock types we work with most and where each one belongs.
Residential door locks
Deadbolts
A deadbolt throws a solid bolt into the frame and can only be retracted with a key or thumb turn, not by pushing on the bolt. It is the main security lock on most exterior home doors. A single-cylinder deadbolt has a key outside and a thumb turn inside. A double-cylinder deadbolt needs a key on both sides, which can slow exit in an emergency, so check local requirements before installing one on a door you would use to get out.
Knob and lever locks
These latch the door and often include a key lock, but the latch alone is easier to defeat than a deadbolt. On exterior doors, pair them with a deadbolt.
Handlesets
A handleset combines a decorative exterior grip with a deadbolt and an interior knob or lever. It is common on front doors.
Mortise locks
A mortise lock sits in a pocket cut into the edge of the door and combines latch and bolt in one heavy-duty body. You will find them in many older Chicago buildings and in commercial doors. Replacement parts must match the existing pocket.
Rim locks and night latches
Surface-mounted on the inside of the door, these are common as secondary locks in apartments and older homes.
Multipoint locks
Found on many newer entry and patio doors, a multipoint lock secures the door at several points along the frame with one handle.
Commercial door locks
Cylindrical lever locks
The standard lock for interior and many exterior commercial doors. Levers are easier to operate than knobs. Commercial hardware is rated by ANSI/BHMA grade, with Grade 1 built for the heaviest use.
Commercial mortise locks
Heavy-duty locks for high-traffic openings, with many function options for offices, classrooms and storage rooms.
Exit devices and panic bars
Push bars let people leave quickly while the door stays locked from outside. Required exits must keep working, so changes need care. See panic bar installation and repair.
Electric strikes and magnetic locks
These lock and release doors electronically and usually connect to a card, fob or keypad system. See access control in Chicago.
Electronic and smart locks
- Keypad locks open with a code you can change instead of rekeying.
- Smart locks add phone control, logs and remote access. Plan for battery changes and a backup way in. One option we install is the Lockly Guard Defender.
- Biometric locks open with a fingerprint. They are convenient but still need a backup key or code.
Key and cylinder types
- Pin tumbler cylinders are the most common. They can be rekeyed when keys are lost or a tenant moves out.
- Restricted keyways limit who can copy a key. Omega Locksmith offers CX5 high-security options.
- Master-keyed cylinders let different keys open different doors while one key opens all of them. See master key systems.
Other locks we service
Cam locks on cabinets and mailboxes, padlocks, and desk and furniture locks are low-security locks used to keep honest people honest. They are useful, but they should not protect anything valuable on their own.
How to choose
- Start with the door: does it close and latch properly?
- Decide who needs access and how often that changes.
- For required exits, make sure people can always get out.
- Decide whether you can keep and rekey your current lock or need new hardware. Read rekey or replace your locks.
Related reading: when to rekey after a move-in or eviction, 20 services a Chicago locksmith provides and 5 locksmith priorities for property managers.
Omega Locksmith is located at 4346 W 51st St, Chicago, IL 60632. Owner Jose M. Hernandez Jr. holds individual Illinois locksmith license 191-000821. Call (773) 277-5625 or request lock installation.