SETIAKawan
I've just bought a new apartment and will be shifting in soon. Meanwhile, it's not occupied now and I'd like to make sure it's not broken in.
What is the best padlock to be used for apartment?
I've heard that a good choice is a padlock that operates with rotating discs instead of pin tumblers, like Abloy, Abus, Solex (made in Thailand padlock that looks like Abloy).
What's your opinion on a good padlock? Any recommended brands?
Budiman
IMHO, Padlocks can be broken / picked / cut, etc. if the thief wants to do it.
My suggestion are as follows: -
a) try to put the padlock so that it is difficult for a "cutter" to cut the lock
b) put more than one pad lock if possible (of course if you live in a dark area, too many pad locks may give the opportunity for theives to approach you)
c) on top of padlocks, have some sort of alarm system as a back up
d) get reputable padlocks like the ones you mentioned. Yale seems to be ok. I have heard of abus but I saw the price and it is expensive.
locks do not really have the specs of their locks in terms of cutting! . The thing about cutting a lock is, the theif uses a cutter and cuts the lock. How can we measure the cutting force ? Well, we just need to know the stress the lock can take. The only way to find out this stress is to take the lock to some laboratory and test it. Obviously, the locks with the higher resistance to stress should be the lock for you to buy.
I am sure the locks sold in the market does not tell you for instance, "ABLE TO RESIST 30 N/mm2"
Alot of lock advertisements specify, "ABLE TO RESIST CUTTING" but what sort of cutting are they referring to ? I am sure all locks are able to resist all cuts using a barber's sisscors!
In short, I am saying, Numbers help! but adverts do not normally show numbers
Budiman
I think the grille is important. My recent house break in, so easy to force the grille open. It just broke with the use of a crowbar. My padlock still intact hanging there looking stupid. Make sure is strong enough to withstand pressure and not easily cut.
A wise man refrains from talking but a fool utters rubbish.
Budiman
Like the saying goes, "you can only be as strong as the weakest link". A strong padlock is only good if the padlock holder is strong and inaccessible to the crowbar/cutter. Also, padlock holder should never be located facing outside where it could be easily pried opened by a crowbar.
By the way, i found out that Abus is the Rolls Royce of padlocks hence the pricing. Can any existing users vouch for that?
Is it better to have a motion sensor with floodlights installed or is it better for a daylight sensor for backyard use?
Budiman
Its true.. the GRILL or gate can likely be the weakest link. A robber's crowbar can likely wedge the entire grill out of the door frame.
Budiman
SETIAKawan
Yeah, good padlock is very expensive. Abloy could cost more than RM200 for a normal size padlock. Abus should be more,...Originally Posted by KelvC
But you're right. A strong padlock is only good if the padlock holder is strong and inaccessible to the crowbar/cutter. Guess I'd better make sure to have better quality grills.
Budiman
Remember to make 2 padlock holder,one for the outside and the other for the inside part of your grill. Remember to get those special cover for the padlock too, just in case those thief want to cut your padlock.
As for your main wooden door, try to install the mortise lock also known as double lock if you are only using normal handleset which come with a deadbolt lock only. The double lock will serve to enhanced your door security more.
Next, if u are able to do a piece of "L" shape bar to cover the left and right side your wooden frame from top to bottom it will be better,as the thief have the tendency to use a crow bar to force open the door thru the small gap there,this serve to closed all the gap,so he can't do much. Some people chromed this metal piece to make it more presentable.
Normally you will see most house owner,they like to use those outdated latch to lock their door beside the normal lock when they are at home. Actually latch is one of the weakest lock u can depend on if there is impact from outside. You should install this lock which they call it half-deadbolt, this lock function is similar to latch but they are stronger and stranger can't see where did you install this lock hence the thief will not know where to break open this lock. You can get this lock in any door specialist company,and you need professional to install it too. The best thing is its not expensive at all.
Remember to install a home alarm system too,if its a teres house makesure all your man-hole have a alarm signal point and let it armed for 24 hours,remember to do checking of your alarm system once every month just in case some signal point don't work.
Thats all the advise that i can offer you,good luck!
Budiman
If there's a grille/iron door.
Try to add a chain or clamp.
But remember, the padlock must be facing inside.
Budiman
Now why would you wanna be spending so much on a padlock when what you need is a decent deadbolt on your main (wooden?) door... ... now that can cost anything from RM50 for a simple PRC-made unit to RM790 for a Lockwood (made in Australia!) unit...
Budiman
I agree. My emphasis has always been on dead bolt locks on all doors. Start with a good one for the front door. And then make sure every bedroom door has a deadbolt too. At least it will make you feel safe in your own bedroom. Sometimes I install half locks i.e. nothing outside. It can only be opened from the inside. It is suitable for kitchen door.Now why would you wanna be spending so much on a padlock when what you need is a decent deadbolt on your main (wooden?) door... ... now that can cost anything from RM50 for a simple PRC-made unit to RM790 for a Lockwood (made in Australia!) unit...
Budiman
The padlock is just one part of a chain consisting of the door, frame, grill, hinge, clasp etc. If one of the other parts are weak then it does not matter how strong your padlock is. If the thief really wants to enter your house, he will find a way. Heard of an anti-tank missile. That will get through most doors, including the strong-room of most banks
Budiman
wah... anti-tank missile, so what loot or leftover debris would you be taking after that?The padlock is just one part of a chain consisting of the door, frame, grill, hinge, clasp etc. If one of the other parts are weak then it does not matter how strong your padlock is. If the thief really wants to enter your house, he will find a way. Heard of an anti-tank missile. That will get through most doors, including the strong-room of most banks
Budiman
FYI... deadbolt locks work best with solid wooden/heavy framed doors... putting a dead bolt on a normal bedroom door would not be the best way to secure the bedroom.. ONE KICK and the deadbolt will be hanging mid air as it rips thru the usually hollow frame...
Better to get 2 "U" shaped steel hinges and use a barricade (steel/metal/solid wooden) bar across the door... can DIY yourself ... and cheaper too !!
SETIAKawan
me myself too is a resident of apartment like you, and like what SATO mentioned, our family too installed all these on the doors:
- "L" shape bar on the grill
- padlocks on the inside and outside of the grill
- deadbolt on the wooden door <-- works the best, like what everyone says
- mortise lock (to replace the originally-installed knob on the wooden door)
- an alarm system
but there's one thing you must keep in mind - let's say if you were in a rush or you forgot to take some thing you left inside that is urgent,, *ehem* you'll have to do the unlocks to all the padlocks la, door knob la, the grill lock la one by one. it'd even be worse as all the keys are attached to ONE SINGLE KEYCHAIN and we have to find the right key for each particular lock. it sure is troublesome and annoying. so. everything does have its bad side too. =P
ah. if i were rich enough i would install an alarm security system that operates using thumbprints/smart cards to allow entrance XD
and another thing, if you have a balcony too, bear in mind that its locks & everything are as important as how it is for the main door. Thieves nowadays are smart they could just break in anywhere, even through the windows - there are cases where some burglars climbed along the huge pipelines to enter. scary. O_O
JaCa -- _jay-caa_
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