Burglaries are one of the most common threats to your home or business, but there are many ways to deter trespassers. Door locks are often the first line of defence, and there are a wide variety of lock options to choose from. Understanding how each type of lock works can help you decide which is the best option for your property.

Whether you are shopping for a commercial, office or residential burglar door lock, it is important to consider the level of security required, your insurance policy and budget when choosing a product. This guide will walk you through seven different types of burglar door locks, and what type of protection each provides.

The most basic way to break into a house is by picking the lock. This is what you see in James Bond movies, and it requires two small tools – one to apply turning pressure on the lock cylinder, and another to push each tumbler inside until it opens. Picking is fairly easy for an experienced burglar, but there are also ways to make it even easier.

Another method is to jimmy the lock open. This is a little more difficult to do, but it does work. You simply place a long metal bar behind the hinge of the door, and use the handle of the door to force the rod into an opening. It’s not the most effective method, but it is certainly possible for an expert thief.

Drilling is a last resort for most burglars, and it can be done very quickly. It’s not as damaging as picking or jimmying, but it still leaves a visible hole in the door. There are some methods that can be used to prevent drilling, such as a hinge pin stop that screws into the hinge to prevent removal without first opening the door.

Keyless door locks are a great way to keep your home secure, but it’s crucial that you remember to lock them when you leave. Otherwise, an intruder could gain access by breaking in through a window, picking the lock (or using a trick to open it) or even climbing over the front yard fence. If you have a problem remembering to lock your door, some models offer alarms to remind you.

There are some security locks that are specially designed for doors with glass panes. These are typically used for exterior doors, and can be installed in place of the standard spring latch lock. They are more expensive than the standard deadbolt, but they provide much better protection against burglary or break-in.

Lastly, you can also add a simple security measure by adding security film to the glass in your doors. This is a thin vinyl that can be applied to the windows, and it works like the anti-shatter coating on car windows. If someone tries to smash in the window, it will stick firmly to the glass and make it much harder to reach the lock.