Euro-cylinder locks how to upgrade and secure your home.
Security is always an issue for homes and businesses alike, so keeping your premises safe and secure should be at the top of your to-do list.
I recently had to deal with an attempted break-in, and part of that was replacing the Euro-cylinder locks on my doors, where they had been damaged.
When I surveyed the damage done by the would-be burglar, I realized just how close they were to getting inside my home and decided to upgrade the locks to help prevent this from happening again.
I did some research about types of Euro-cylinder locks and found some high-security locks that you can retro-fit into your uPVC doors which quickly improves security, here’s what I found:
Anti-bump and Anti-Snap Euro-cylinder door locks are high-security locks for uPVC doors, they are Kitemarked TS007 and made to BS EN 1303:2005 and include anti-pick and anti-drill features making them harder to break and help prevent burglars from entering your home
Euro-cylinder locks are very common, but unless you have the right sort fitted they are not the best at preventing entry, in this post find out how to about the weakness of Euro-cylinder locks and which ones to upgrade to and upgrade your security and really protect your home.
What is lock Snapping?
Euro-cylinder door locks are inherently weak in the middle, where the locking cam and the locating screw hole are positioned. Because there is less material in this area to allow the lock to function.
Burglars exploit this weakness because they can twist or hit the locks so that they snap at this weak point this is known as ‘Snapping’ and low-grade or cheaper locks don’t have the features to prevent the intruder from opening the door once the lock has been broken.
Anti-snapping locks are designed to prevent the lock from snapping in a way that allows the door to be opened once the attack has taken place, they do this by snapping in a different place which protects the cam from being moved without the key and having hardened steel pins inserted to improve the strength of the lock.
What is lock bumping?
Lock bumping is a technique used by criminals to open a door lock with a ‘false key’ to bump the pins and open the lock in seconds.
This method is widely known in the criminal world and now this knowledge is being passed to the wider public thanks to the internet which helps spread awareness.
Also, security standards and lock makers are improving helping to prevent this type of attack by producing ‘Anti-bump’ features for their locks, which help prevent false keys from working, and by controlling access to keys with the use of code cards which need to be presented when ordering new or replacement keys.
Features to look for in a good quality Euro Cylinder lock
Like most things, Euro-cylinder locks come in various types, sizes, and quality, and you often get what you pay for.
If you are looking to improve your home security or are just replacing old locks on your uPVC doors, I recommend that you aim to purchase the best lock you can from a reputable make like Yale or Master Locks.
The key features for improving security are:
- Anti- Snap
- Anti-Bump
- Anti-Drill
- Anti-Pick
When you are buying a new lock, look for a British Kite Mark TS007:2012 and that the lock meets BS EN 1303:2005 as this ensures locks will meet the required safety levels.
Also ensure you have the right size and fit of lock for your door, as there are many different options, and buying the wrong one can be a pain in the neck
Take a look at our guide to measuring a Euro-cylinder lock for more details on sizes and types of lock and read our guide on how to replace a Euro-cylinder lock which will take you through the steps and tools you will need to carry out your upgrades.
Other advice
I hope that the information above helps you to protect your home and belongings. Please bear in mind that even the most well-defended home may not stop a really determined criminal, but improving your security and upgrading your locks should help to slow them down, giving you a much better chance of calling the police.
Stay safe and for more great information on how to improve your security and protect your home read our post on more ways to improve home security.
This article was written by: Richard Quinton – The DIY Help Desk Owner, Engineer & technical specialist.
Richard is one of the key partners in The DIY Help Desk team. He is a qualified Engineer, writer, and publisher, educated to Master’s level. He is a keen advocate of DIY and home improvements.
Richard enjoys helping others to learn new skills and reach their goals and believes that passing his knowledge and experience on through his writing is an effective way to positively impact the lifestyles and well-being of others on a larger scale.
