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Need a new one as my wife has managed to lose her door key.
Anything specific to look for bar some kind of anti-bump mechanism?
Make sure you get the measurements right and maybe go with one of the 'high security' ones?
Anything specific to look for bar some kind of anti-bump mechanism?
Do you want an internal thumb turn rather than a key?
Makes getting out in a hurry i.e. if there's a fire much easier if you don't need to find the key.
Make sure you get the measurements right
Take the old barrel out and take it to the ironmongers with you to make sure that you get the same size
Avocet ABS locks. Cheapest place I've found is here: https://www.barnsleylock.co.uk/avocet-abs-mk3-ultimate-cylinders-13-c.asp
Take the old cylinder out - it's a piece of urine, one screw and turn the key just so - and measure from the centre of the lock to the inside and outside edges to get the right size.
You can just get a replacement key of course, but you're better off replacing it. The stock Eurocylinder locks are shite, you can get into them with a broken biscuit.
As Cougar above ^^^
You can get thumb turn internals and such like and also keyed alike locks if that's of use
If you buy an ABS cylinder, make sure you also order enough keys with it.
Not everywhere is able to cut spares. Timpsons can (mostly)
look for one with anti-snap - the weak point on the standard cylinders is where the screw goes, once broken the cylinder can just be pulled/pushed out
They're easy enough to measure so no need to take the existing one to the store - leaving the house unlocked.
I always get mine from Screwfix - getting a couple of slightly different sizes so you can fit the neatest. Screwfix have a no-quibble returns policy, even if you've opened it (neatly). Ask first! it helps my branch is local and I go there all the time.
Thumbturns are a must! I've ensured they are in all the rental properties I manage. Only the other week in the news a family burnt to death by the front door because the key was somewhere else in the house. I couldn't have that on my conscience.
Thumb-turn internals should be avoided if your door has a glass panel, for what I'd hope should be fairly self-evident reasons.
Second/third/fourth the Avocet ABS lock. I replaced some of my existing cylinders with these as they satisfy the new standards for security (TS007/SS312 - https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/home-security/home-security/euro-cylinder-advice). They usually come with three keys but whichever supplier you use can prepare and send more. If you do order online for minimal extra fuss and maximum paranoia consider sending them to a mates house so if there's anyone wily in the supply chain it won't matter. Many lock suppliers recommend this as a good practice.
Look at Cisa Astral locks You can have a key left on the internal side if you want, handy if the wife try's to lock you out 😉
Those CISA Astrals are only TS007 1 star if it matters (I replaced one with an ABS Avocet).
Avocet ABS locks are great, however Ultion are more secure.
Ultion was set up by the guys that used to run ABS a few years back.
Not many places will show prices for them online, but I know these guys are one of the cheaper places and post them out the next day - https://www.upvchardwaredirect.com/ultion-locks--keys-208-c.asp
Why is that site showing prices of £0.00 for all the locks? I managed to complete the checkout process (using dummy details) without ever seeing a price. It's looking like they're going to email me for payment, weird way of selling things.
Thumb-turn internals should be avoided if your door has a glass panel, for what I’d hope should be fairly self-evident reasons.
Or a letter box.
Good point, well made.
You can guard against that attack, but who ever does?
Re-did the whole house with those Avocet ABS locks last summer. Thumb turns on a couple of doors make life easier, but the best bit is I had all the locks set to the same key. So a single key does any lock in the house. This is a luxury you never knew you needed until you have it.
On the other hand, it'll cost a sodding fortune when one of the kids inevitably loses a key...
Not many places will show prices for them online,
We paid about £60 per lock for the Ultions with 3 keys. A little more for keyed alike.
They're a well rated lock. My only gripe is the key blade is a little harder to locate in the slot than a standard Euro or Avocet style blade.