Skip to content
Deadbolts are ubiquitous apparatuses in the world we live in today, and almost every home in the United States has one type of deadbolt lock type screwed to their doors. However, not every deadbolt lock is equal in strength, security, durability, and functionality.
Choosing the right deadbolt lock type for your home becomes much easier when you know the different types of deadbolt locks there are and how they may benefit the security of your home or facility.
What Is a Deadbolt Lock?
A deadbolt lock is a type of locking mechanism that can only be rotated using a key or a thumb-turn. They are used to increase the security functionality of a door.
Deadbolt locks are typically used in outside security doors, but it is not unusual to see them in internal doors as well. A defining feature of deadbolt locks is that they do not use a spring mechanism to activate or deactivate their bolts.
Most importantly, deadbolt locks have single or multiple metal bolts that extend from inside the door frame to dedicated slots in the wall frame. However, rim deadbolt locks are installed on the side of the door on the inside and outside.
Note: Deadbolt locks are sometimes confused with deadlocks, which are typically installed on the side of the door frame and the side of the wall. This makes deadlocks more vulnerable to forced entry as they rely heavily on the strength of the door for resistance.
Deadbolt locks are very useful for preventing forced entries such as kick-ins.
Exploring the Different Types of Deadbolt Locks
Depending on who you ask, there can be anywhere from four (4) types of deadbolt lock types to eight (8) or nine (9) types. However, in this article, we will stick with seven (7) types of deadbolt locks that encompass all the various types of deadbolts used in homes and commercial facilities.
Below are seven (7) common deadbolt lock types:
Single Cylinder Deadbolt Locks
A single cylinder deadbolt lock features a keyhole on the exterior part of the door and typically uses a thumb-turn or any similar locking mechanism on the inside.
This means the single cylinder deadbolt lock can only be locked with a key from outside the house or room. This type of deadbolt lock requires only one key cylinder, hence the name – single cylinder deadbolt lock. To lock the door on the inside, the thumb-turn is used.
The single cylinder deadbolt lock is perhaps the most common type of deadbolt lock in most American homes due to its ease of use, cheap cost, and moderate to high level of security, depending on the grade – where grade 1 is the most durable.
Double Cylinder Deadbolt Locks
Double cylinder deadbolts are just like single-cylinder deadbolt locks in terms of the functionality of their locking mechanism. The only major difference is that for the deadbolt to work, you need to use a key on either side of the door to lock the door.
The twin-keyed cylinders used in a double cylinder deadbolt lock make this type of lock more secure from the inside for pets and toddlers.
Double cylinder deadbolt locks are also typically used in commercial establishments where security is paramount.
Residential buildings in high-crime areas also use this type of cylindrical lock.
Electronic Deadbolt Locks
Many people confuse electronic deadbolt locks with smart deadbolt locks because they both seem to function in similar ways. They both use non-traditional forms of access, such as keypads and touchscreens.
However, electronic deadbolt locks are not connected to the internet, hence the name “non-connected locks.”
Electronic deadbolt locks can be single-cylinder locks or double-cylinder locks and may require you to use a key even after inputting the right code.
Electronic deadbolt locks are a form of keyless entry locks.
Rim Deadbolt Locks
Rim deadbolt locks are also known as surface locks since they are installed on the surface of a door. They may be installed close to the door knob or above it.
Rim locks function similarly to single-cylinder deadbolt locks because they usually have a key cylinder on the door’s exterior and a thumb-turn lock on the inside.
Rim deadbolt locks are mostly used as extra layers of security in conjunction with other deadbolt locks.
Some electric rim locks also exist.
Smart Deadbolt Locks
Most luxurious homes or large commercial facilities feature smart deadbolt locks as a part of their door security system. Smart deadbolt locks essentially function like traditional deadbolt locks but with multiple modes of entry.
Smart deadbolt locks connect to the internet and can be accessed or locked using lock mechanisms like biometric fingerprint scanners, face recognition modules, traditional keys in conjunction with keypads, mobile applications, proximity lock mechanisms using sensors, and other fail-safe devices.
Most smart deadbolt locks can be integrated with existing security systems like camera surveillance systems, motion sensors, sprinklers, lighting systems, and more.
Smart deadbolt locks are usually very hard to break into and typically use a single-cylinder deadbolt locking mechanism.
The major disadvantage of smart deadbolt locks is that they can be hacked, they rely on battery/other forms of power supply, and they need a stable network to function properly.
Mortise Deadbolt Locks
Mortise deadbolt locks have been used for several decades worldwide to secure both interior and exterior doors in home and business premises due to their reliability.
Mortise locks have their entire locking mechanism inside a pocket in the door frame known as the mortise, and the deadbolt extends to a dedicated wall inside the wall known as the door jamb secured by the box keep.
Mortise deadbolt locks are also known as mystery locks because their locking mechanism is hidden, and this typically makes them very difficult to tamper with without causing extensive damage to the door itself.
Mortise deadbolt locks are typically more expensive than single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolt locks.
Vertical Deadbolt Locks
Vertical deadbolt locks are usually attached to the top of the door frame instead of the side due to how their locking mechanism operates. The deadbolt goes from the locking mechanism of the vertical deadbolt lock to the securing latch on the wall above the door.
Vertical deadbolt locks are used as an extra security measure in conjunction with other forms of door security.
Shop From Reputable Deadbolt Lock Manufacturers at All Security Equipment
The type of deadbolt lock you eventually settle upon depends on your specific security needs and how far you are willing to go to secure your property. Smart deadbolt locks, for instance, are typically more expensive than most deadbolt locks, and they are usually more secure, too.
But a smart lock may be overkill for your modest residential building, and a mortise deadbolt lock may be the best lock for you.
No matter what kind of deadbolt lock you choose, All Security Equipment is the one-stop shop for all your security needs. We supply everything from single cylinder deadbolt locks to advanced, military-grade smart deadbolt locks with access control.
Check out our massive collection of security accessories, or contact us to learn more.
