How to Choose a Lock

It may seem confusing at first, but it is actually easy to select a push-button keypad lock for your home or business. Just ask yourself these five simple questions:

1. Mechanical or Electrical?

   A mechanical lock is one that does not use batteries or require wiring. When you press a button, the pressure of your finger moves parts inside the lock. Mechanical keypad locks are simple to operate and very reliable. Howver, most of these can only have one user code at a time. If you purchase a mechanical Lockey keypad lock, it usually comes with a Lifetime Mechanical Warranty. That means the manufacturer will fix or repair any manufacturing defects at no charge for as long as you own the lock.

   An electrical lock is one that uses batteries or that is directly wired to building power.   These keypad locks have many advanced features such as lighted keypads, audit trails, fingerprint recognition, and remote programming/ control. They can also handle many different user codes, so each person can be given their own unique code. Electrical locks usually have 1, 2, or 3 year warranties.




2. Latchbolt or Deadbolt?

   Some people like the convenience of a keyless lock that locks automatically every time their door or gate is closed. Other people want a keyless deadbolt because it stays unlocked until they lock it. Also, the bolt on a deadbolt lock has a flat end instead of a diagonal cut, so it is a little stronger in case someone tries to pound on it with a sledge hammer, for example.

   Latchbolt locks will lock automatically every time you close your door. (locks automatically)

   Deadbolt locks will have to be locked manually every time you go in or out. (locks manually)




3. Passage Mode or Storeroom Mode?

   All latchbolt locks will latch and lock automatically when you close your door. When they work like this, it is called Storeroom mode. However, some latchbolt locks also have an optional Passage mode feature which can be handy when you need to go in and out frequently (to unload groceries, say). In Passage mode, the lock can be temporarily set to latch (i.e., hold the door from swinging open), but not lock when closed.
   
   Passage mode is available on most electrical latchbolt locks, but this handy feature is available on only some mechanical latchbolt locks. You can tell by the name. If the word Passage is in the name, then it has this feature.



4. Lever or Knob Handle?  

   If you want a lock to replace just the deadbolt above a doorknob, you will probably want toa lock with a round knob handle that looks something like the one shown below.   Knob Handle locks have a round, flat knob on the outside.

   If you want a lock that replaces a door handle and a separate deadbolt lock above it, you probably want a lever handle lock. They are a little easier to open and are ADA compliant, too.   Lever Handle locks have a long lever handle on both the inside and outside. These can be installed to point to either the left or the right.




5. Single-Sided or Double-Sided?

   All our keypad locks come with both an inside and outside lock body (unless they are panic bar locks). However, some of these are called single-sided locks because they have a push-button keypad on the outside only. Others are called double-sided locks because they have a keypad on both sides.

   Panic bar locks connect up to a panic bar (sometimes called crash bar or push bar) on the inside so if you buy one of these, you only get the outside lock body with the keypad and sometimes a key cylinder.

   With a single-sided lock, you only need to enter your combination if you are on the outside. On the inside, thre is no keypad, so just turn the knob or lever handle and exit. Single-sided locks are commonly used on both residential and commercial doors. (with a keypad on one side)

   With a double-sided lock, you need to enter your combination on both the inside and the outside to either enter or exit. These are often used on pool gates and on doors with glass panes near the lock. If you have a double-sided lock and a burglar breaks the glass in your door or hops over your fence, your door will still be locked.   (with a keypad on both sides)




6. Marine-Grade or Standard Finish?

   Marine-grade locks have extra layers of finish on the outside, Teflon coatings, and/or stainless steel parts. This protects them against salt corrosion. To decide which type of finish to order, just think about what conditions the lock will be exposed to. If your new keypad lock will be located either close to a highway which is salted in the winter or close to the ocean or other salt-water source, then a marine-grade finish would be the best choice. Otherwise, one of our standard finishes should be just fine.

Once you know what kind of lock you want, click on oneof the green the buttons above or on the Products menu to see your choices in that category. If you want more detailed information on a specific lock or if you want to purchase one, just click on the picture — you'll go to a page with photos, dimensions, PDFs, and a lot of other details. This is also where you can order your keypad lock.

In most cases, it's as easy as that, but if you still have questions, please give us a call. We love talking to our customers and are glad to help with whatever we can.