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Just moved into a new house. It has 3 external upvc doors, which to my untrained eye all look pretty secure, they all have multipoint locking, multi hooks etc. Happy with that, but looking to change the euro lock barrels.
They seem to range from about £5 to £35, with varying degree of features. One thing I'm really set on is having them all use the same key, so that probably narrows the choice down a bit. Also, they would need to satisfy house insurance. I'm also after high security, as they are the only lockable doors to the house. What else should I be considering, and any recommendations.
TIA
Whatever lock you google, you will also find info on how to overcome it.
i was looking for some good quality cylinders but whichever i looked for, it semmed there were loads of videos on 'how to bump ant-bump locks' etc.
Anti Snap seems to be the most important feature
Interesting @footflaps, there is avocet naming somewhere on the doors, i remember seeing it. Will have another look when I get a moment.
Another thought I hadn't considered is thumb turns on the inside. There is one lock near a letterbox, so wouldn't consider it there. The other two are not near any access points, just in small double glazed porches. Would thumbturns make sense there, or would that reduce security substantially I wonder?
I bought these:
https://tradelocks.co.uk/uap-nickel-1-star-kitemarked-keyed-alike-cylinders.html
They only do keyed alike in pairs though - if you ask, they might do three. It's a trade site, but I had no issues buying as a retail customer.
I wouldn't have thumb turns. It's easier to cut a small hole in the glazing to reach a thumbturn than it is to make a hole to climb through. Also, if they get in through a window, a thumbturn (or a key in/near the door) allows them to get out through the door with your stuff. If they have to get it out through a window it's harder.
Would thumbturns make sense there, or would that reduce security substantially I wonder?
You want keyed deadlocks otherwise it's easy to get out with your TV etc after breaking a window to get in. If keyed deadlocks on all doors, they have to climb back out the same way.
You want keyed deadlocks otherwise it’s easy to get out with your TV etc after breaking a window to get in. If keyed deadlocks on all doors, they have to climb back out the same way.
If inside and lock the doors at night, careful about fire escaping. Can put keys on the route out, but not near the door as common for thieves to use a long stick to nick keys in reach (same goes for car keys).
We also fitted super tough handles, which make access to the Euro Cylinder very difficult...
https://www.euro-secure.com/product/pro-secure-handle/
How easy is the ABS stuff to fit to a UPVC door fitted around 2003? Same as OP, multi point lock etc.
Just unscrew lock stuff and swap out barrel bit, or do you have to get something specific to the door, and do you need to be a lock expert to do it?
Euro cylinders are all pretty much standard units - their depths vary on both sides, so you need to measure the existing one and then order the same size. Handles have 2 or 3 different bolt spacings.
https://www.diydata.com/carpentry/euro_cylinder_lock_replacement/euro_cylinder_lock_replacement.php
My new door has an Ultion lock which seem to have a good rep for security, they're a bit of a pain to buy though (don't think you can buy them online, need to physically collect them and getting a price usually involves a phone call), they do a key-alike option to
Breaking a patio window is faster and seems to be the preferred mode of entry round our way
Just unscrew lock stuff and swap out barrel bit
Exactly that. It's like one screw, the only tricksy bit is getting the key in the right position to extract the cylinder.
Ta all, great info.
Yea, thought as much regarding thumb turns. Reduced security.
Anyone know about the fancy keys that you can't copy, well not down your local key cut place. Are they worth the extra cash?
my experience is they will just come through the window, find your spare keys and let themselves out.
I'd only go for Ulteon locks .
ABS are a great product but I believe Ulteon is the newer product and from the guy originally behind ABS locks.
Uoteon can be bought online from https://www.upvchardwaredirect.com/ultion-locks--keys-208-c.asp
They get back to you with a price after contacting them .
Whilst I have no reason to doubt that it may well be a superior product,
They get back to you with a price after contacting them .
I'm out. How hard is it to publish a price for a lock? It's not like it's an area with multiple variables where I might need someone to come measure up and give me a quote.
I’m out. How hard is it to publish a price for a lock? It’s not like it’s an area with multiple variables where I might need someone to come measure up and give me a quote.
I thought th same. Are they going to look at my house of street view and guess at how much they could ream me for the stuff before giving me a price?
Keyed deadlocks are all well and good so longs everybody knows where the keys are in event of a fire. Nhbc and insurers argue the toss over this all the time.
I can recommend a very good door hardware supplier if you want suited locks.
Yeah Ultion not giving out prices is annoying, their reasoning I think is they only supply to certain approved retailers (for security reasons) and don't want lots of fake versions popping up, I guess forcing people to call for a price slightly cuts downs on accidentally getting a bargain (fake) Ultion lock. It could also be they're a fair bit more expensive than the competition...
As part of their warranty you're only supposed to lube the lock with their own-brand graphite grease to, which makes unicorn tears look cheap.
I actually swapped my door lock from key both sides to thumb turn inside, that cost £112 and the labour was free (the door company's trade price being £65+vat as they sent a copy of the invoice to me as proof they weren't just ripping me off with a huge margin, I still felt violated though :p ).
I went with ABS locks a few years ago. Got everything keyed alike for ease of use (including garden gate and garage). Means I have one key on my key ring. You can also have as many keys as you want using the code (which when registered is supposedly restricts access). Don't think the keys can be copied locally.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Given how easy it was to snap one of the old locks that we didn't have a key for antisnap is a definite must!</span>
I’m out. How hard is it to publish a price for a lock? It’s not like it’s an area with multiple variables where I might need someone to come measure up and give me a quote.
They're not allowed to show their prices publicly as Ulteon don't want the prices being crashed through the floor online