Today I’m sharing four important things to consider when replacing external door locks. This post will ensure you know everything you need to when replacing the locks on your front door – or back, for that matter. So if you don’t know where to start when replacing door locks, this post will help.

UK Lock Security Standards

The first thing to ensure is that whichever external door locks you choose meet current UK security standards. The three things to look out for are: BS 3621 Certification, a 3 Star TS007 Rating and SBD (Secured by Design) assurance. Choosing a lock with all 3 of these will ensure your new locks are as secure as possible. Your lock will be much harder to pick, drill, tamper with or snap keys in, and it’ll have police-backed assurance, too.

Most UK home insurers insist on locks meeting BS 3621 standards, or your insurance won’t be valid, the other two ratings will future proof your lock for the next decade or so, as a minimum. Now we’ve covered security standards, let’s consider the different lock types which are available to you when you’re replacing external door locks.

External Lock Types

In the UK, the most common external door locks are Mortice Locks, Night Latches, Euro-Cylinder Locks and Multi-Point Locks. Newer, keyless entry locks are available too, but I’m focussing on key-locks today. It can be confusing to know which lock type will best meet your needs, so I’ll explain the differences…

Mortice Deadlock

This type of lock is what’s traditionally found on a UK back door, or as an extra layer of security on wooden front doors. You need to use the key to manually open and close the lock, so it’s impossible to lock yourself out by accident if it’t the only lock on the door. Ensure your mortise deadlock is certified to BS 3621, for maximum security.

Night Latch

These are often used alongside a Mortice Deadlock when replacing external door locks on traditional front doors. The latch can be put on from the inside, which then renders the home inaccessible, with a key. It’s also super easy to accidentally lock yourself out though, as there’s no door handle, so you can’t get back inside without a key. It’s important to choose a BS 8621-compliant night latch, when you’re replacing external door locks and opting for a night latch.

Euro-Cylinder Lock

are commonly used with uPVC and composite doors. These are a one-point lock, and can be used alongside a door handle. They can be easier to kick down than a multi-point lock, so you should opt for anti-snap, anti-drill, and anti-bump locks, with TS007 certification, for maximum security.

You can opt for a Mortice Euro lock to combine the anti drill technology of the Euro lock with the extra layer a Mortice Lock offers, but you will still need to carry two keys.

Multi-Point Lock

A Multi-Point Lock has one key but several lock-points, which all work together to offer maximum security. These locks are the most secure, but they can be tricky to fit if you’re not experienced. They offer the benefit of maximum security with only one key, but they require a door handle to work. (You lift the handle upwards to engage all the locks, before using the key to secure them in place when you release the handle).

Which is Best for You?

Everyone’s needs are different, so what’s best for one person when replacing external door locks won’t necessarily work for someone else.

For example, my son is classically autistic, so a mortice and night latch is the safest combination for us, as a Multi-Point Lock requires a handle with an internal thumb-turn. This proved too easy for him to escape from in our old house, so when we moved, I went for a mortice and night latch combination so I could do away with a handle and thumb turn altogether. The fact I can remove the deadlock key means he can’t sneak out.

Installation

Once you’ve decided which lock you want, you should ensure the installer is registered with the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) for extra peace of mind. If you’re doing it yourself, it’s best to opt for a like-for-like swap, on an existing external door, as swapping the lock type often means drilling new holes in the door and frame, which can weaken them, and make them easier to break into.

Finally, now we’ve covered the basics of replacing external door locks, you should know what to look for when choosing your new door hardware. Let me know in the comments if you can think of any other tips to share.