Every day, we open and close doors without giving a second thought to how the door locks we rely on to secure our homes, offices, and other property work. But the lock is actually a complex mechanism with different parts that work together to keep the door securely closed. Door locks are the only physical barrier between an intruder and your home, and locking your doors is essential for personal security as well as preventing theft or unauthorized access to your property.
If you’ve ever wondered about the anatomy of a door lock, it's important to understand how locks work so you can better secure your home with peace of mind.
Before we get to answer the important question: how does a door lock work, we're going to look at the two different types of locks available.
While both types have their benefits and disadvantages, if you're looking for increased security or you need to be able to grant people temporary access, an electronic lock will serve your needs best. Mechanical locks, especially deadbolts, are extremely difficult to circumvent.
Every door lock comprises internal and external components. The internal components are the lock and latch, while external parts include the door handle. Together, they make opening or closing a locked door possible. External parts come in different finishes and styles like door knobs, door levers, and handlesets, which are what most people touch daily and use to open or close a lock.
The other external part of a door lock that can be seen from the outside is the strike plate. This component provides both an aesthetic finish as well as an extra measure of security by preventing someone from kicking the door open. To understand the anatomy of a door lock, we're going to be focusing more on the internal components. So, how does a door lock work?
The lock cylinder or lock body is the core of any door lock. It is the part that allows you to unlock and lock your door. The cylinder is usually a metal, cylindrical-shaped object with one or more pins on it. These pins are lined up in a row inside the cylinder's body and can be pushed back by inserting an appropriate key into the keyhole of the lock when turned clockwise (to unlock) or counter-clockwise (to lock).
The cylinder has an opening on one side and it's mounted into position on top of the door, so you can't see what pins are inside when looking from the outside. The lock body is often made of high-quality steel, brass, or aluminum to ensure it can withstand the elements and any force that may be applied to it.
The door bolt or latch is another key part when it comes to understanding the anatomy of a door lock. This is the part that actually secures the lock into place and prevents it from being opened. The latch can be found on either side of a pair of doors, as well as one for each door. If there are multiple locks or latches on a single set of doors, they will operate in pairs — one to secure both sides while the other secures the door on the opposite side.
The latch is typically held in place by a spring and can be released to allow access through the doors when it is unlocked. However, if someone tries to force their way through or pry open a locked door with any sort of tool, this could cause damage that requires repair or replacement of the door lock or latch.
To understand the anatomy of a door lock, you should also know about the box and strike plate, which create a secure location for the door bolt or latch. The box is the metal component that surrounds the door lock. It has a set of hinges on one side and a latch or bolt on the other which faces outwards. The strike plate is an L-shaped piece of steel, usually made with thick gauge steel (a thin layer would be easily cut through), riveted onto another piece of metal.
The strike plate is usually located at the edge or surface of the door frame where it would be banged with a heavy object if someone wanted to break in through the doorway, such as a hammer. A lockbox may have one spring-type latch on each side; two springs hold the bolt securely to ensure that only one key can release the bolt at one time.
How does a door lock work? Understanding the anatomy of a door lock is important if you want to know how it works. Want to learn more? Get in touch with Door Locks Direct. We know door hardware and have the knowledge and expertise to handle any of your door lock needs. Shop our selection of top-brand door hardware for your home or business.
Each type of lock is built differently, but let’s take a look at the anatomy of a typical door lock usually used in homes or light commercial buildings. The main parts of a door lock are the cylinder, bolt, box and strike plate.
It’s useful for any DIY-er to know how things around the home operate. Understanding the different parts that work together to make a door handle and lock work, can help you fix minor problems on your own.
Remember, if you’re having problems with a sticky or faulty door, knob, handle or lock, trust the skilled locksmiths at Great Valley Lockshop to help.
Diagram showing the parts of a door lock, including the knob, rose, cylinder, latch assembly, bolt and strike plate.The cylinder, or lock body, is the part of the door lock where you insert the key. When it’s locked, the cylinder engages a series of spring-loaded pins which keep the cylinder from turning. When you insert a key, the uneven edge pushes the pins upward to fit the key’s height in that location within the lock body. Essentially, it recognizes the correct key when the pins move into their proper places. This “opens” the cylinder, allowing the bolt to move, and you to open the door.
The lock engages a bolt inside the door. This piece of metal extends from the door into the frame and holds it closed. There are two main styles of latch (or bolt)—a spring bolt and a deadbolt.
The bolt extends from the cylinder into a small square shaped hole—this is the “box”. It is designed to hold the bolt securely in the doorframe when the lock is engaged.
The metal plate, which attaches to the frame of the door, is the strike plate. The purpose of the strike plate is to guide the bolt from the cylinder into the box of the frame and give added reinforcement to the locking mechanism.
Technology has brought vast improvements to home and commercial security. In particular, businesses are increasingly interested safeguarding their property by upgrading locks and installing security systems. Electronic locks are just one of the great new options on the market.
Electronic locks are very different from traditional spring or deadbolt style locks. They rely on a series of magnets and small, electric-powered motors that are activated to open and close. Electronic locks are programmed to require the correct keypad combination, key fob, access card or biometric data, such as fingerprints, in order to unlock.
Smart Electronic Locks are electronic locks with the added capability of being controlled remotely through a smartphone application. A business owner can monitor traffic, restrict access through certain doors, lock doors and activate the security system without being anywhere near the building. Usually, smart electronic locks also have a mechanical key cylinder to allow access with a traditional key.
If you already have an electronic lock or you want to learn more about your particular model, check the manufacturer’s website or do a quick search online using your door handle’s part number to find the instruction manual and other information. An experienced locksmith should also be able to answer any questions you have.
What are the Best Types of Locks for Every Type of Door?
If you need to have your locks rekeyed or you’ve decided it’s time to increase security around your home or office, get expert advice on the best solution. Reach out to the team at Great Valley Lockshop in Malvern, PA. We work with customers in the Philadelphia area and all around Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
Call us at (610) 644-5334 or fill out our online request form to get in touch with Great Valley Lockshop.
This blog was originally published on June 10, 2015 and has since been modified and updated to reflect the most accurate information.
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