If it is not a name you recognize it is for one of two reasons: it is cheap or it is expensive. They are not the best locks, but they offer better hardware construction and picking resistance than a company like Kwikset. Schlage is one of the few exceptions to this trend. I hesitate to say “the worst” because off brand locks tend to be pretty horrible as well. Some of the most “trusted names” in the industry make some very insecure locks. Unfortunately, brand awareness does not always transfer over to quality. Knowing a brand is not the same as knowing that brand’s track record. Ideally, you want to be paying for security pins, solid construction, and stronger materials, because that will decide your level of protection.

You need to understand what cost is being passed down to you. Smart locks are going to be very expensive, but they are not necessarily more secure than a standard manually operated lock. A high price can also be deceptive if the product includes electronics. This could be for many reasons, but the most common is money. The biggest exception to this trend is when a lock has a bypass that the company refuses to invest in finding a solution for. A larger initial purchase will almost always ensure a higher level of security. When it comes to security, you get what you pay for.

The methodology for the third party testing is obscured, and the findings often conflict with the reality of the product’s protection. These types of ratings are ultimately meaningless to the average consumer. Some locks will advertise as having a numbered security rating. Read the fine print, and read between the lines. When you are at the store making your decision, there are going to be several things you need to do. But you do care and you do want a lock, so you go down to your local Home Depot. If you don’t care about getting a good lock then you really don’t need a lock at all. Well, not the best lock, because that one is too expensive. Take your time, and make sure that you don’t rush to a decision that can compromise your security. To combat that, we have some general information, and some slightly more specific general information. Keep in mind that some of the finer points of selection may vary depending on the specific store. Do you just need to find your same type of lock you already have and be on your way? How do I know what is good and what isn’t? In this post, we will be talking about what you need to look for in your Home Depot lock purchase. Then what? What are you looking for? There are all kinds of locks all over the store. So you park your car and walk into the warehouse size store. And there is a good chance that the store you end up at will be Home Depot. Chances are you are going to go to a big box store in your local area.

Lowes master locks