When we talk to people about home security, the first thing we ask is what they’re trying to achieve. After all, everyone has different ideas about what ‘secure’ means for them. For some, they just want to replace weak or outdated locks. For others, it means a broader improvement to their home’s security. And those are generally the two camps it falls into – lock upgrades and full security upgrades. While both improve protection, they are quite different in terms of cost, scope and overall impact. So understanding the difference can help you choose the right solution for you.
What is a Lock Upgrade?
A lock upgrade very much does what it says on the tin. It upgrades your locks from the standard to a more secure version. The door, frame and other security features stay the same. Only the locking mechanism itself is improved. It’s one of the most common services that locksmiths offer, and is an easy way to improve the security of your home. A typical lock upgrade might include:
- Replacing a basic euro cylinder with a TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder.
- Installing a BS3621 5-lever mortice lock on a wooden door.
- Upgrading worn or low-quality locks to higher security models.
- Changing locks after moving house or losing keys.
In a lot of UK homes, especially those with uPVC doors, the cylinder of the lock is the biggest vulnerability in the whole door. So making this simple swap can make a big difference in the security of your home.
A lock upgrade is often the best choice if your existing locks are outdated or vulnerable, you’ve recently moved into a new property, your locks don’t meet your insurance standards, or you want to make a quick and affordable security improvement.
What is a Full Security Upgrade?
A full security upgrade goes much further than just upgrading one lock, or even all of your locks. It’s about looking at your entire home’s security as a system and making sure it all works effectively. This involves looking at all of the potential entry points and identifying any weaknesses that burglars might exploit. Because after all, one high security lock doesn’t solve every problem.
Don’t forget, burglars will look for the weakest point of entry, so if your front door is super secure, they will look for other ways in, like an unlocked gate or a weak window latch. So for a full security upgrade we’ll look for how easy it is to access the back of the property, whether your doors are properly aligned, or if your windows can be forced open.
That’s a bit more of a bespoke project, but will usually include:
- Upgrading all external doors.
- Reinforcing door frames or strike plates.
- Installing extra door security measures, like sash jammers or night latches.
- Improving window locks.
- Adding security lights.
- Installing door viewers, chains or restrictors.
- Integrating smart locks, alarms or CCTV.
The goal of all of this is to create layers of protection that make your property much harder to target. A full security upgrade makes sense if your property (or a neighbour’s) has recently been burgled, you’ve moved to an older home with outdated security, you want to improve security across the board, or you manage a rental or commercial property.
Choosing the Right Level of Protection
So the only thing to do now is to choose which level of security is right for you. This isn’t as simple as it sounds, especially if you aren’t entirely sure what level of security you have now. If that’s the case, we recommend booking in a security survey (which we do free of charge) We can pop round and inspect your doors, locks, windows and access points to identify any vulnerabilities, and provide you with a tailored plan to protect them. Sometimes that is as simple as upgrading a single lock. Other times, a few targeted improvements can make all the difference.
If you’re unsure which approach is best, speaking with a professional locksmith is always a good place to start. With the right advice and the right upgrades, you can turn basic security into genuine peace of mind. If you’d like to find out more, just get in touch with the team at My Locks Locksmiths today.