Garage lock - recommended models and their installation

What should a garage lock be like?

Reliable garage protection is not just a lock. This is a whole range of measures. This includes strong walls that are difficult to break through, gates that cannot just be cut, and a high-quality roof, because sometimes attackers use it to gain access to the garage. To ensure maximum security, it is a good idea to use an alarm and security camera. But in this set of measures, a reliable lock occupies one of the main positions.

This is where the question arises: which lock is considered reliable? The one that costs more? Or one that is actively advertised? Or, on the contrary, one that is rarely sold anywhere, and thieves have not learned how to open it?

When choosing a lock for your garage, consider the following professional advice:

1. reliable locks are made of stainless steel;
2. the walls of the housing must have a thickness of at least 3 mm;
3. the presence of massive crossbars is mandatory;
4. it is better to install at least two locks and away from each other - this rule works the same way as with locks in an apartment;
5. choose two/three locks from different manufacturers;
6. the main mechanism should be a lever mechanism.

Experts joke that the best additional lock is an alarm. The way it is. Even the simplest howler can protect your property, and no less reliably than a good lock. If funds allow, then video surveillance can be installed. But! All this does not mean that you can get by with an alarm and take the cheapest lock. Remember that alarms and video surveillance can be disabled by plugging or cutting the wires. So one does not interfere with the other.

In addition, you can protect your garage from intruders by welding a metal corner to the hinge area, which will protect them from being cut down. The set of measures also includes strengthening the walls with angle bars, reinforcing the roof with mesh or reinforcement, and strengthening the gates and wickets with steel armored strips.

How to choose

People try to choose the most reliable device to protect their garage and property. Our rating examined the best of them. You can buy a device that best meets the requirements by following the recommendations of experts and buyers:

1. The most important point when choosing a design is the level of protection. The higher this indicator, the better the property will be protected. Manufacturers add various secret functions that increase the indicator several times.
2. It is important to pay attention to the type of construction. It can be closed or open. Reliability depends on this; if the open ones are more accessible for visual inspection and attempts at cutting, then the latter completely exclude any break-ins.
3. The quality of materials must be chosen especially carefully. Responsible manufacturers provide quality certificates for their products. It is better to give preference to products with a protective layer against corrosion.
4. The size of the bow plays a big role. It needs to be matched to existing loops.
5. Some manufacturers equip their products with branded hinges. They are made from the same materials as the product itself.

You can select other options according to your preferences.

Lock fastening type

As you might have already guessed, or perhaps you managed to understand while studying the market, the range of garage locks is huge. Therefore, it does not hurt to somehow classify all the existing diversity.

According to the type of fastening, locks are:

• mounted;
• invoices;
• mortise

Mortise locks are considered the most reliable, since the entire mechanism is hidden inside the garage door. Thanks to armored linings, such a lock can be additionally protected from drilling. This type of lock is not suitable for all garage doors; it is almost impossible to install it on sectional ones. To ensure longer and highest quality operation, it is necessary to periodically lubricate the lock with machine oil or more specialized means. The latter will not allow the lock to freeze at extreme subzero temperatures.

rim locks is no different from mortise locks (we’ll talk about the principles of operation later), but they are installed differently – not inside the gate or door, but on top of them. This simplifies installation and eliminates the need to damage the integrity of gates or doors. In this case, the case is made in such a way as to reliably protect the mechanism from knocking out and external adverse environmental factors. The mechanism will look neat, and from the outside no one will ever guess which fastening you used - mortise or overhead.

padlocks to be locks, calling them a means of complacency. Under no circumstances should such a mechanism be used as the only lock, and it is better not to use a padlock as a second padlock, but it will do as a third additional one. It will be possible to make the attacker’s life at least a little more difficult. If the gate already has eyelets, then you will still have to purchase a padlock. Someone might hang their own lock on the gate as a joke. Of course, getting rid of it won't be that difficult, but why waste time?

It is precisely because a padlock is easy to get rid of that it is not recommended to use it as a main or additional one. Some might argue that if you take a barn lock with a thick steel U-shaped short shackle, an all-metal body made of boron steel, hardened and plated, it will be difficult to pick. In general, yes - it will not be easy to break into, but cutting off the eyes from the gate will be easy.

Fortunately, more or less reliable padlocks have been invented. They are often called "turtle" . They differ from classic barn padlocks in the design that protects the lugs. In addition, this mechanism has a fairly thick locking finger, so the lock can also be used as a second additional one, but it must fit tightly to the gate, otherwise an attacker will be able to place a pry bar or cable under it, and then everything will follow the classical scheme.

Padlocks can be locked with a key, but there are also combination locks - disk and push-button.

Locking mechanism

According to the mechanism of operation, garage locks are divided into the following types:

• Lever locks are quite rightly considered the most reliable. The easiest way to identify them is by the shape of the key - it has a long rod, at the end of which there are plates with grooves of different heights on one or both sides. Once in the lock, such a key activates the levers - the basis of the lever lock. Even if one of the plates does not match, the lock will not open, which is why lever mechanisms are considered the most reliable. It is also difficult to knock it out, and with additional armor plates it is very difficult to do this. In addition, lever locks, unlike cylinder locks, are more resistant to frost (and distortions caused by temperature changes), dirt and dust, and aggressive environments. In general, they are less likely to break and jam. The lever lock can be mortise or overhead. If you choose the latter option, then try to install it so that the attachment points are not visible from the outside of the gate. Another tip is to take a lock that can be opened/closed from the inside with a key, and not with a turntable. This will create additional problems for a thief who can get into the garage through the walls or roof. When choosing, pay attention to the following design elements: the number of crossbars - ideally at least 3, but in some models (for example, RIF-1) two thick crossbars work no worse;
• welded body for rim locks;
• anti-corrosion coating of levers with zinc;
• the presence of armor plate is very desirable. This is protection against drilling. In this regard, a hot ball in a rack works well;
• A hardened insert on the crossbar is also desirable, which will protect against sawing;
• Burglar resistance class 4.

Falling key

A more advanced lock model is considered to be one that garage owners call among themselves “with a falling key.” This system got its name due to the design of the key that locks the mechanism.

Making it yourself is more difficult than the models described above. But, with some skill and the availability of tools and materials, it is possible. To do this, you need three metal plates: two for the staples, one for the latch (crossbar). Slots are made on the latch.

The next step is making the drum. It is shaped like a gear wheel. By the way, this type of garage lock itself operates on the principle of a gear drive. It is better to order it from specialists who have special gear cutting machines.

A hole for the key is drilled in the center of the drum. And in the key itself a slot is made into which a pin with protrusions identical to the holes made in the side surface of the drum is inserted. As a result, only the original thorn can open such homemade products.

The system works simply. A key with a pin turned along its axis is inserted into the hole. Having passed through, the pin falls out (hence the name). Turning the key, we get the protrusions into the holes, and the lock opens.

Garage locks of this type can also be purchased ready-made, but many craftsmen prefer to tinker to create their own unique locking device combination.

Material of execution

Lock elements can be made of the following materials:

• aluminum is not afraid of corrosion, which is important for using the lock in a garage, but due to its low strength, we would not recommend using such locks;
• steel is the most durable, reliable and most preferred option when it comes to stainless or galvanized steel;
• brass is a good option in terms of strength and resistance to high humidity, but is not cheap;
• cast iron rarely used for making locks. This is a heavy material, the strength characteristics of which deteriorate under the influence of low temperatures.

Burglar resistance class

The key characteristic of a lock is how long it will take to break it . We are talking about how long it will take, since absolutely any lock can be broken. There are four burglary resistance classes:

• first class - the most inexpensive locks. In most cases, these are crossbar-type mechanisms. Even an inexperienced thief spends no more than 5-10 minutes on hacking;
• second class - more reliable locks that can be opened by an experienced thief in 10 minutes, but cannot be opened by beginners;
• third class - locks, which even a professional spends 20 minutes or more on breaking. During this time, he risks being noticed, and more than once, therefore many attackers simply will not tinker with such mechanisms, not being confident in their complete safety;
• fourth class - locks that will have to be opened for at least 30 minutes if you have all the necessary and fairly specific tools.

When choosing a lock for your garage, you need to find a balance between security and cost. It is clear that first class locks are definitely not an option, at least as a main lock. Fourth class is expensive and not always justified, but third class locks are what you need for a garage, and if you install two third class locks of burglary resistance with different operating mechanisms, then you can assume that you have done everything to secure your property .

Electromechanical samples

A homemade electromechanical lock can be considered the pinnacle of mastery. Let’s make a reservation right away: only a person with special skills in mechanics and electronics can make such a design with his own hands. Therefore, we, following the majority of craftsmen, propose to make a lock of this type from ready-made components. In particular, take a ready-made locking mechanism, as well as select components for the electric drive.

For the design (except for the lock itself) you will need:

• electric motor and gear rotation mechanism;
• power supply and lock control units.

It is better to assemble homemade locks of this type from ready-made blocks; it will take less time and give better results. For example, you can take an electric motor for a car lock; its power is enough.

The principle by which such garage locks work is based on closing an electrical circuit. The motor transmits torque through a gear train to the lock, driving the bolts. Having worked all the way, a signal is transmitted through the relay, opening the circuit and turning off the engine. Closing the lock repeats the process described.

The levers are removed from the finished lock mechanism so that the bolts can move freely in the grooves. Self-made electric locks are controlled using a remote control.

The disadvantage of this design may be that in the absence of electricity it will not work. Therefore, it is recommended to provide the system with an emergency power supply with a battery. Some craftsmen connect their electromechanical garage locks with alarm systems, powering them from one autonomous source. This simplifies system management and there is no need to have multiple remote controls.

We have described only the main types of homemade garage locks. But the flight of engineering cannot be stopped, and every craftsman can come up with his own design for a locking mechanism.

How to make a folding garage door with your own hands

To help the home craftsman: how to make a canopy for the garage

Installation of automation for sliding gates

What else should you consider when choosing a lock for your garage?

To ensure that you purchase a reliable and durable lock, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

• Overly complex locks are not suitable for a garage, since aggressive operating conditions such as temperature changes and high humidity can quickly damage the mechanism;
• each key that comes with the lock must have a number;
• there should be no burrs, scratches on the lock, and no metal dust in the box;
• Buy locks in specialized stores and from trusted manufacturers. A handmade mechanism is unlikely to provide reliable protection and last a long time without jamming;
• The name of the manufacturer is actually a guarantee of quality. The leaders in the world of locks are the following: CISA (Italy), Titan (Slovenia), ABUS (Germany), TESA (Spain), DOM GROUP (Germany), MOTTURA (Italy), KALE KILIT (Turkey). Among domestic manufacturers, we note Cerber, Guardian, Elbor, Polivektor, etc.

Comparison table of characteristics

We have collected the characteristics of all the models under consideration in one table. This will help you choose the best design option.

Operating rules

You can spend a lot of money, choose the most reliable and expensive lock, but it will last a couple of years, and all because you were unable to provide it with the appropriate operating conditions. So, what rules should you follow?

1. Accessible parts must be lubricated regularly.
2. If the lock does not open or is jammed, try filling it with grease and try again after 5-10 minutes. If after this the lock still does not budge, you can try turning the key using pliers. If this does not help, then you will have to seek professional help.
3. Sometimes problems with the lock arise due to the gate being skewed. You can correct the situation using a lever.

Finally, we note that a good lock is reliable protection, but a lock alone will not give complete confidence in security, since it is also necessary to take care of protecting other ways of entering the garage, incl. walls and roofs.

The article was written for the site.

Tags: Garage, Garage doors