An Informative Guide to
Euro Locks
Euro Cylinder Locks also known as either barrel locks, profile cylinder locks or pin tumblers locks, are a very popular lock profile within the UK and Europe. They cater for both internal and external doors and are easy to replace with very little disruption, you’ll find euro cylinders in most domestic and commercial properties.
Purchasing a lock can be a little confusing. So Thanet Locksmiths buyer’s guide to Euro Locks will help you quickly and accurately select the right lock for your door.
Types of euro cylinders:
Full or Double Euro Cylinder
Double Cylinder locks have a key cylinder on both sides of the door. This means a key can be used to lock and unlock the door from either side. A word of warning, never leave your key in the rear of the door as you wont be able to open the door from the outside.
This lock format is usually used for doors requiring higher security, such as front or back doors. In the event that a burglar broke the glass in your door, they would still need a key to unlock the door.
Full Thumb-Turn Euro Cylinder
Full Thumb-Turn Locks are a hybrid lock, offering the benefits of a thumb-turn lock on the inside of the door and a keyed lock for the outside. These locks are easy to use and are keyless from the inside. You may consider using this type of lock on the newer composite doors or apartment doors where fire regulations stipulate the doors need to be easily opened from the inside without a key in an emergency.
Half or Single Euro Cylinder
Half Euro Cylinder Locks are perfect for doors that require keyed access from one side only. These locks are usually used from the exterior as an example on garage or cupboard doors. You can also get this type of lock with a thumb turn which enables a quick keyless locking, these locks are generally used for privacy reasons, for example in bathrooms or toilets.
Euro Lock Security
There are in general 4 main security features available with euro cylinder locks.
- Anti-Snap Euro Cylinders – These cylinders have been tested to confirm their protection against the “lock snapping”. The lock has a thin sacrificial line cut into the cylinder body, known as a sacrificial snap line. When force is applied, the cylinder snaps at this ‘weak point’ but the locking cam stays intact. These locks are vital for external doors and will protect against attacks such as the aptly named “blowtorch technique”; a method in which the door around the lock is melted in order to expose the lock which can then be snapped revealing the locking mechanism.
- Anti-Pick – anti-pick locks are made in such a way that they are extremely difficult to pick. Lock picking involves manipulating the pins within the lock so that they align on the shear line and allow the plug to be turned and the lock opened. Criminals will use tension tools and picks, such as hair pins, to do this. High-security euro cylinder locks protect against lock picking with the use of special anti-pick spool pins.
- Anti-Drill – Sometimes, a burglar may use a strong drill to break into the lock. This is a very destructive method and involves drilling on the sheer line to the depth of the key, then turning the plug with a screwdriver. Anti-drill locks protect against this by using pins made of hardened steel in the barrel and plug.
- Anti-Bump – These attacks involve using an adapted key and inserting it into the euro cylinder and applying torque to the key to open the door. These attacks are on the rise in the UK and leave minimal to no signs of damage which can effect insurance claims. Anti-bump lock mechanisms include setting pins at differing levels along the sheer line to create an over lift, preventing cylinder rotation, aligning pins at different angles and combining dimples and grooves on the key.
- These are some of the most common security features that all new locks have today, there other security features such as magnetic pins, restricted keyway and lock down mode available in very high security locks.
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