The padlock design is one of the first types of locking mechanisms as such. And today they are actively used in protected (and not so protected) objects. First of all, it should be noted that some of these devices are designed for locking rooms with non-valuable contents.
Along with ease of operation, padlocks (with the exception of some types) are less protected from forceful hacking methods. But this does not mean that one should neglect the complexity of intelligently opening a lock by simulating the operation of a key.
No amount of garage padlocks will protect against entry if the doors are not strong enough and the roof covering can be opened with a regular crowbar.
Without getting too technical, padlocks are defined as locking devices whose body is not secured to the door in any way. Let's take a closer look at the classification, features and recommendations for choosing padlocks for the garage.
Types of executions
Within the concept of a padlock, which is a durable body with a security mechanism and a bolt (in the vast majority of cases, curved and fixed in the body itself), there are many design options.
All the huge variety attachments for locking can be divided into three groups:
- Barn.
- Equipped with a locking finger.
- Invoices.
Looking ahead, it should be noted that the last group of products is most reliable. Mounted overhead models – best castles to protect the garage from unauthorized access and theft of property.
The combination of a padlock and an internal lock provides good protection and makes hacking much more difficult.
Choosing a reliable lock for a garage is especially important, because attackers are somewhat less constrained in the conditions when opening a separate building than in the case of breaking doors in apartment buildings.
Barn locks
A barn-type castle is the first thing that comes to mind when you mention hanging structures. Distinctive feature– crossbar bent into an arc, in closed position fixed in the body.
Such locks, first of all, differ high compatibility with lugs various configurations. In fact, the range of such products allows you to choose a model that fits any eyelets.
The huge variety of shapes and sizes, design features and materials used gives rise to a colossal amount existing models, used to lock anything: starting personal diary youngest daughter and ending with your garage.
Barn locks do not require installation and are easy to use. But, unfortunately, even with a hardened hinge and protrusions protecting it, the cases are susceptible to force breaking methods. Especially if the lugs on the door are not firmly attached.
They cannot boast of resistance to “clean” opening. The vast majority of models are equipped with cylinder mechanisms. Some models in the mid-price segment are equipped with combined coding systems that are more resistant to key imitation.
All castles will “freeze” in winter. The rubberized body, the protective coating of the shackle or the valve on the well do not prevent moisture from entering the lock.
Thus, the reliability of a barn lock depends on the strength of the materials from which it is made and the complexity of the security mechanism.
Locking finger
Special case padlock designs – equipped with a locking pin. They are distinguished by a straight locking rod, which is fixed in the body. Models are available whose rod is fixed in the body on both sides or only on one (the so-called “fungus”).
It is more difficult to select such a product for the configuration of the lugs, but due to the small gaps between them and the lock body, reliability increases. If the dimensions are adjusted very precisely, it will be impossible to get close to the locking pin.
When choosing a lock of this type, you should pay attention that some cast iron cases, due to the fragility of the material, are easily destroyed by impact loads or rebar shears.
Full metal shell rim locks
Rim padlocks are a variation on the straight shank type. The difference is that the “finger”, the mechanism and even the lugs are hidden under a durable steel case.
Due to the configuration, it is unacceptable to close the rim lock in the wrong position. The well must always look down, otherwise water will get into it and the mechanism will rust.
This is the most reliable option for a padlock, especially in combination with an internal one. However, the housing configuration imposes certain restrictions on lug compatibility various sizes.
If we are talking about replacing a garage lock, then it will most likely not be possible to install the overhead model so that it functions as expected. Therefore, the lugs must be made for a specific lock. Some of them even come with documentation indicating the required configuration.
In this case, a significant gap between the body of the rim lock and the surface of the door is unacceptable. At correct installation in the closed position they should touch each other. Otherwise, you can insert a lever under the body and break the lock.
The excellent security properties of padlocks are only valid if they are installed correctly. This is especially true for models in the high price segment, equipped with factory-produced hardened eyes.
For the same reason, attention should be paid to the burglary resistance of the secrecy mechanism. A conventional cylinder pin “cylinder” for an English key does not provide questionable security for the lock. However, there are more reliable options cylinder mechanisms, which are used in overhead hinged locking devices or hinged locks closed type.
Other criteria for classifying padlocks
Within one type of design, there are a lot of models with different properties due to the difference in a number of characteristics:
- Dimensions.
- Materials used in production and their processing.
- Type of privacy mechanism.
Use on garage doors is just a small part of the range of applications for padlocks. Therefore, in describing the key characteristics, we will not touch on extremes such as brass combination locks for lockers in the locker room or miniature models for locking luggage bag zippers.
Dimensions
Overall size the locking device is not such an important parameter. On the other hand, the principle “the more the better” does not work here. The main feature is the proportionality of the lock and the eyes. In this case, certain dimensions play a major role.
A castle that is too large will attract unnecessary attention. At the same time, burglary resistance largely depends on the quality of the materials from which it is made and the type of security mechanism.
For example, the size of the shackle of a barn-type lock is best selected so that in the closed position the upper edge of the body is as close as possible to the ends of the lugs. In the case of a straight bow key point in the distance between the protruding parts of the body. As much of the locking pin area as possible should be hidden by the lugs.
Thus, suitable size the lock is determined by the configuration of the eyes, and if the replacement project allows for the installation of new fittings, then only common sense.
Variety of materials
Used for making padlocks various types metals (except for waterproof ones, additionally coated with rubber, plastic or other polymeric material with similar properties):
- cast iron;
- steel;
- steel alloys with aluminum, less often with other metals.
- brass.
Cast iron bodies are hard, but at the same time quite fragile. A few good hits with a small sledgehammer or a medium-sized bolt cutter will take care of this hull within two to three minutes. Therefore, it is better to refrain from using cast iron locks to protect your garage.
The shape of the case can also become an obstacle for burglars. Thus, locks with a cylindrical body oriented in a horizontal plane are more difficult to break.
Brass and alloys are also fairly malleable materials. They are without special effort are broken and sawed with hacksaws. Only padlock bodies are made from the materials listed above.
The arms and “fingers,” in turn, are always steel. Steel cases are also common, and this best option for a garage lock. But let's get back to the temples. Some of them are sawed in the same two or three minutes, others cut the hacksaw blade themselves, not succumbing to the efforts of the attacker.
The second case is typical for hardened steel rods. They are strong enough to resist bending, sawing and impact forces. That is, the “portrait” of the optimal garage lock includes steel. In this case, the bow should be hardened in any case, and the body should be hardened preferably.
Type anti-corrosion coating(hammer paint, galvanizing or polymer casings) does not affect the resistance to physical influences in any way.
Mechanisms
Protection against vandal methods of hacking falls on the body and shackle, and intelligent methods of opening the lock are prevented by the design of the locking mechanism. The following types of mechanisms are distinguished:
- Cylinder pin for English key.
- Cylinder disk.
- Combined.
- Coded, level and others are not suitable for garages.
The most common type of padlock mechanism is the cylinder pin lock. It is difficult to consider it worthy protection for property located in the garage. Methods of “clean” autopsy have been developed for decades and are implemented using the most simple remedies.
Disk-based privacy mechanisms are more resistant to intelligent hacking. Especially when it comes to models with a double-sided key. Considering that the technology is more than a hundred years old, one can assume the presence of a comprehensive arsenal of opening methods. But this is only partly true.
Combination locking mechanisms operate two coding systems simultaneously. For example, pin and sliding. Padlocks with this device are among the most stable. Moreover, encased in a durable steel case and equipped with a hardened shackle, it will create many problems for anyone who tries to open it.
Combination and lever locks are not suitable for locking garage doors due to the fact that they open “cleanly” without much effort. In addition, models with a code mechanism that can provide decent resistance to hacking attempts are distinguished by impressive prices, and lever padlocks have successfully become part of history.
Popular manufacturers
The market economy generates a huge supply of all goods, including locks. Many countries actively produce and supply locks and hardware products, including domestic locks that often visit the shelves of relevant stores.
Among foreign manufacturers, the following were noticed in the manufacture of reliable padlocks (largely due to the high production culture):
- Abloy (Finland).
- Mul-T-Lock (Israel).
- Motura (Italy).
- Cisa (Italy).
- Kale (Türkiye).
- Evva (Austria).
- Abbus (Germany).
A number of domestic manufacturers also produce fairly high-quality products:
- Cheboksary Aggregate Plant (CHAZ).
- Polyvector.
- Mettam.
The vast majority of cheap locks from the Middle Kingdom are not suitable for either protection or use. The quality of materials and manufacturability of production suffers for the sake of the volume and pace of production.
The information above and the recommendations below will help you determine which of the available padlocks is the most reliable:
- case steel and heat-treated steel arms are optimal materials;
Today, the safety and reliability of a garage is a very important indicator. You can achieve the required level of security using strong garage doors, their high-quality installation and a lock that will close them. In this article we will tell you exactly which garage padlock you should choose and the features that you need to pay attention to when choosing.
Types of padlocks
Today, padlocks are the most popular and are most often used to protect your property and close any garage or other doors that are equipped with special fasteners for this type of lock. A huge assortment of different locks makes the uninformed buyer get lost and increases the chance of choosing a low-quality lock or one that is not suitable for you.
To do right choice, you need to have an idea of what the main types of locks are in order to somehow separate huge assortment and select the ones that are most suitable for you. Today castles are classified into three groups:
- Barn.
- Locks with locking pin.
- Padlocks.
Barn view
They consist of a body, a bow and a sliding mechanism. Thanks to its shape, it can be installed on almost any garage door, and it will perform its functions perfectly.
Barn: classic look, the only difference is in size, it is better to take the steel version, they are the most durable and reliable.
With locking finger
A lock with a locking pin has a very similar design to a padlock, but instead of a lock that moves on a hinge, the design has a metal rod.
It can be completely detached from the structure when open, and when closed it is secured with the same valve as the hinged one. Due to its design, it is not suitable for all types of fastenings and for it it is necessary to prepare more suitable elements to close the garage door.
Semi-closed: instead of a bow, a straight pin is used, partially hidden in the body and closed with eyes, which makes this type reliable.
Oblique varieties
Mount on a flat surface when the mounting system is fully extended outward and capable of required distance enter the cavity of the body of such a lock. After this, the finger is inserted into the hole and securely fixed with one or two latches.
Closed: the locking part is completely hidden in the body of the product, which makes it particularly burglar-resistant.
We choose according to technical characteristics
To choose a high-quality and reliable lock for yourself, you need to pay attention to its main characteristics so that it can last a long time, perform its main functions and fully meet all your requirements.
To make a quality choice, you need to pay attention to a number of the following nuances of a padlock:
- Dimensions and compatibility with installation location.
- The material from which all elements of the lock are made.
- The type of locking element used in the design.
Dimensions and compatibility
A very important parameter is the size of the padlock. It should not be too bulky or conspicuous.
It is best to select it so that it is as proportional to the door as possible and fits perfectly into the recesses for it and does not stick out too much.
Overhead locks should have the most compact form, since they are installed on top of garage doors and are practically not hidden.
Varieties of mounted models by structure: open, mushroom-shaped, semi-closed, closed. Most reliable look closed type.
In addition to the size, make sure that the lock you choose is compatible with the hinges that function as the fastening system. Some locks may simply not reach the holes and be able to tightly close both hinges.
Material from which the mechanism is made
What material is it made of? padlock, directly shows its main purpose. The material used in the lock will indicate whether it will close the garage or any other door from outside entry, or simply cover it from children or so that the gate is not constantly wide open.
Brass - do not corrode and are very attractive in appearance, but despite the high cost, such models are not durable enough.
Today, the most popular materials used to create locks are: aluminum, hardened steel, brass, cast iron metals and many others. Aluminum lock has the lowest strength and is least suitable for protective functions. The most durable are brass and hardened locks. They can withstand external pressure, shock and resist corrosion well.
We select according to the type of locking mechanisms
There are quite a few types of closures in padlocks, and they are practically no different from conventional mortise door locks.
The most common systems are:
Crossbar systems
Crossbar - it opens due to the length of the key, which moves along the slot and presses on special crossbars with teeth that are located on one or both of its sides. One of the main disadvantages of such a lock is the presence of a relatively large and long key.
Code locks
Coded - this type of lock has the only advantage over all its analogues; it is the complete or partial absence of a key. It is partial because the lock may have a hole for the key and the key itself, but it is only required if you have forgotten the code, but not all locks have this option. They usually have a fairly simple hacking system and are not very reliable, which is why they break easily.
Coded models are expensive, but at the same time you don’t have to carry the keys with you, you need to know the digital combination.
Level-type locking systems
Lever locks - consist of a certain number of plates, which are called levers. The key, moving along the slot, presses them in a certain sequence, after which the lock opens. It is physically almost impossible to break it, but picking up a key or master key is possible. But the selection becomes more complicated if the number of these levers is quite large.
With cylindrical mechanism
Cylindrical mechanisms are the most popular and widespread type today. They are quite reliable, the key is difficult to find, and it is almost impossible to break. And the opening key itself is very compact and convenient.
The key detail of any cylinder mechanism is the core. It is made in the shape of a cylinder - hence the name of the mechanism - cylinder.
Popular manufacturers and their choice
It is highly not recommended to buy and use locks made from pressed metal chips. They can only be used in decorative purposes or when protection is not a top priority. Due to the fact that the metal is pressed, it does not have high strength and breaks very easily and may begin to crumble over time. So only choose cast locks that do not have welds and have a one-piece, non-separable design.
Also, to make the lock last much longer on the street, select it with protective coating from moisture. So, corrosion will not destroy it, which is why its service life and reliability will be much higher.
The most popular and highest quality manufacturers today are brands such as Avers, Aspect, Extra and, of course, the simplest and cheapest Chinese ones, which are also of fairly high quality.
Steel, cast iron or brass? Turtle or fungus? Palladium explains which padlocks are suitable for locking your garage and what to look for when choosing.
Main types of padlocks
| Open (barn). Classic padlocks with a U-shaped shackle. Inexpensive, easy to install and... just as easy to saw off or press out with a crowbar. Therefore, it is better to buy a reinforced model made of steel or cast iron with a thick, hardened shackle. |
|
|
| Semi-closed (finger). Instead of a bow, there is a rod (finger), half covered by the body. Such a lock is much more difficult to cut down and break, especially when operating alone. A burglar would rather take care of the lugs. |
|
|
. The most reliable option: the massive body hides not only the rod, but also the eyes. It’s difficult to cut it even with a grinder, no matter what type of hacksaw it is. However, turtle eyelets are ordered individually; there is a 99% chance that ready-made ones will not fit. It is also important that the gap between the body and the door is minimal, otherwise a thief can easily approach the lock with a tool. |
|
|
Fungiformes (“fungi”). Typically used where other locks are difficult to install. They have a cylindrical body and a rod protruding from it with a cap at the end. If you select and hang it correctly, the rod will be covered with eyes, and then it will be difficult to cut it down. |
Case material: no non-ferrous metals or alloys
Everything is clear here: only steel or cast iron. Definitely from whole piece metal, without welds - it’s stronger and more reliable. In general, steel, although more expensive, is preferable. The fact is that cast iron locks become brittle in the cold and can crack from a strong blow with a hammer. However, if you live in southern region, then cast iron will do.
But beautifully shining aluminum and brass locks are not for the garage. The hacksaw goes through them like clockwork: 2-3 minutes - and the defense is overcome.
It is important that the case protects the mechanism from moisture, because the lock will hang on the street. For example, in the Palladium catalog you will find cast steel and cast iron locks with a protective coating, as well as all-weather models with rubberized frames.
Bow– only hardened and preferably short
The lock shackle is the first thing a garage thief looks at. He will bite through thin “raw” steel in 20 seconds with a bolt cutter, and if he doesn’t bite through, he will cut it down or knock it out. The last method is especially convenient if the bow is long: it’s easier to insert a crowbar and it’s easier to set the chisel.
To turn the shackle from soft and pliable into highly durable, it is subjected to heat treatment (hardened). Now not a single hacksaw will take it - unless the galvanization is erased. By the way, all cast iron and steel Palladium locks are equipped with a hardened shackle. Moreover, there is the 507F model with additional protection of the temple at the entrance to the case.
7 tips for choosing a garage padlock
1. It is easier for a thief to cut down or knock out a lock than to open it with a master key. But it’s better to play it safe and buy a model with a complex mechanism, ideally a combined one. Avoid pin cylinders with a flat key - craftsmen open them with a regular paper clip.
2. It is desirable that the body be rounded. The rectangular one is more convenient to strike.
3. There are locks on sale with a siren that respond to every vibration. This is their disadvantage: a false alarm is possible, which will certainly incur the wrath of your neighbors. But the main thing is that the electronics of such locking devices are susceptible to moisture and temperature. She will not survive the Epiphany frosts.
4. Locks with automatic locking are very convenient, especially in winter, when you don’t want to fuss with keys in the cold. Simply press the shackle down into the body and the lock will click into place.
5. It’s trite but true: a garage lock must be quite large and heavy.
6. A padlock is best used in conjunction with an internal one. And not only to enhance protection, but also as a “beacon”. By the location and condition of the lock, you can immediately determine if the door or gate has been touched.
7. Remember that no matter how strong and reinforced the lock is, it will not deter a thief if the lugs are flimsy and the door or garage door is easy to jack up.
Tags: padlocks
A reliable garage door lock is necessary in any case, even if the territory of the garage cooperative is well guarded. No guard with 100% guarantee will not be able to keep track of dozens of garages. The “protect yourself” rule applies here more than anywhere else. The best garage door guard is a secure gate with a good lock.
Choosing a castle
You need to approach the purchase of a castle with the utmost care and thoughtfulness. When purchasing a lock, consider the following factors.
- You should ask the seller about the category to which this lock belongs. To close a garage, only a special garage lock is suitable.
- The keys must have a serial number: if there is no such number, then the key is made in a homemade way, and you should not buy such a lock.
- The reliability of a garage lock is the most important indicator. The gate structure is quite massive and durable. The gate must also have a lock to match it: the walls of the housing must be at least 3 mm thick, the lock must be securely attached to the gate leaves.
- Choosing a lock for a garage is not a time when you need to save money. You can finally decide on choosing one model or another only after consulting with specialists.
- You should not choose overly complex, “fancy” constipations. The slightest misalignment of the gate leaves is enough - and such a lock can fail.
The domestic market offers a huge selection of garage locks. All of them can be divided into two main categories: keyless and key. A key lock is a familiar design that is locked and opened using special keys. The keyless option is certainly more preferable: here the gate is opened by dialing a digital code. The deterrent factor is sufficient high price such a device.
Let's look at the main types of locks that are used as garage locks.
Mortise locks
They are fixed to the gate leaf using a face plate (end plate). The reliability of the entire structure depends on how well it is made. Best option– if the front plate has a thickness of 2.5 mm or more and is well attached to the lock body.
In their design, they are somewhat reminiscent of mortise ones, but they are installed with inside garage. The most important rule: such a lock must be opened from the inside only with a key! This will help keep the car safe, even if an attacker breaks into the garage: there is no possibility of stealing the car, because the gate remains securely closed. In such mechanisms, bolts play a major role. When the gate is closed, the bolts come out of the lock body, and when opened, they enter it. It is clear that if there are a lot of deadbolts, then the lock will be more reliable: the mechanical load is evenly distributed throughout the body, which will significantly increase the service life of the lock.
Garage padlock
This is the good old method of closing the gate. The same castle that “doesn’t bark, doesn’t bite, and doesn’t let you into the house (sorry, the garage). Such a lock is hung on two eyes made of durable metal. To make lugs, either metal plates or rods are used round section with a diameter of 8-10 mm. The disadvantage of padlocks is their low level of reliability.
To make the padlock stronger, it is hung as close as possible to the gate leaf. This somewhat reduces the risk of hacking. But just “several”. Recently, many hacking tools have appeared. In addition, some “craftsmen”, in order to open the garage, hook the cable to a lock or metal eyes. If you jerk the machine hard, few gates will withstand such a load. So from modern means A padlock does not prevent a break-in.
Level and cylinder garage locks
Cylinder locks are excellent protection against intruders. It is almost impossible to find a key for them, since the lock is equipped with five or six code elements. But cutting down such a lock from the garage is more than possible. Recently, locks with protection against cutting have appeared, but there is still a risk.
In lever locks, the key bit has teeth various sizes. The teeth must correspond to a set of the thinnest plates in the locking mechanism. If there is no match, the lock cannot be opened. The undoubted advantages of lever locks are: low price and resistance to burglary.
The zinc coating makes the lock resistant to corrosion. This castle makes it possible additional protection(for example, code). The disadvantages of the lever design are the large size of the key and the ability to open the lock both from the inside and from the outside. However, for the garage this is more of a plus than a minus. In addition, the lever mechanism is very easy to maintain (you can forget about traditional lubricant, to which dust and dirt sticks). It is no coincidence that people with experience recommend the massive level version for the garage.
Deadbolt lock
Due to their ease of installation and operation, deadbolt locks have become widespread. They are classified as mortise type locks. A bolt is a locking device. When voltage is applied to the lock, the bolt is pushed out and held in closed. To open the lock, it is enough to remove the voltage supply to the solenoid. If you open the door and apply voltage to the lock, the “smart” control system will “wait” for the door to close. And only after that the bolt will work.
Rack and screw type locks
Of the “secret” locks, these are the simplest. Rack type locks can be installed on both gate leaves. Their disadvantage is their low reliability. In addition, they are heavy and difficult to open.
When purchasing a lock, be sure to pay attention to its resistance to low temperatures. To defrost the lock, you should buy a special lubricant.
A garage door lock, with its reliability, will allow you to keep your car safe and sound and will become a barrier for intruders. When choosing a device, rushing or saving is unacceptable.
This article suggests which garage door locks are used and how they are installed correctly.
Types and features of garage locks
In a permanent garage, the gate design consists of two swing doors, one of which can have a gate (see).
From the inside, closed doors are completely fixed with latches, bolts, and special locking hooks. You can enter the garage through a gate in the sash, which requires inserting a locking device into it, as can be seen in the photo.
The following types of locks can be installed on garage doors:
- . Until quite recently, huge rack-and-pinion structures with big key. To open the gate, the key was placed in the hole and pushed inside with great difficulty. The considerable effort put into this, a heavy key, a fairly low level of secrecy and resistance to burglary, could more than cover the only advantage of a lock of this type - its strength. These reasons have led to the fact that rack-type locks are practically not used at present.
- Mounted. These are the good old garage door locking designs that... large assortment presented in specialized stores. Such a lock can be installed only after fixing special hinges on the outer part of the doors.
Hinged locking devices are functional, simple to manufacture and relatively reliable in operation, capable of providing a fairly good degree of burglary resistance to a garage, but they have disadvantages: the main one is the method of installation from the outside, which allows an attacker to use a pry bar to knock down the lock, which means there is no 100% guarantee -th protection of the garage from thief penetration.
Tip: It is better to secure the garage locking device with a padlock that has a streamlined shape, where instead of a shackle there is a removable locking pin. The high strength steel used to make the device is additional coverage, making the lock more resistant to corrosion, a more streamlined geometry, increases the durability of the lock, eliminates the possibility of sawing it and an accurate blow for breaking.
- Garage mortise locks. Such designs occupy special place in a group of garage locks. Mortise locks are fixed inside the gate door through a front strip with a thickness of over 2.5 millimeters, which is often the weak point of the locking system. To avoid the possibility of damage when mechanical impact on the gate, you should make sure that it is sufficiently securely fixed to the lock body.
- Invoices, which can be cylindrical and level (see), each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Installation of such locks is carried out on the inside of the garage door.
