We have a large retail store here in Margate, with a comprehensive range of locks for external and internal doors from the leading manufacturers for commercial & domestic premises. Not forgetting secondary security for doors, such as hinge bolts, door viewers and door chains and locks to suit wooden, metal and plastic windows. We stock most of the popular brands and styles of locks, or should you require something specialist or unusual, we are often able to source that lock for you.
Its not just new locks that we are involved with, two of our Locksmiths have been with us for around 30 years which means they have vast experience in repairing locks including heritage work. Last year we were proud to donate a handmade lock and key to Margate Civic Society for the famous Clock Tower, prominent on Margate seafront. As you can imagine this was hours and hours of meticulous work. Read the full story on our Blog.
Our highly skilled locksmiths and safe engineers have years of experience in gaining entry to properties and opening safes. You’ll be please to know they are also very good at fitting new locks to keep the burglar out! We are long-standing members of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) and the first Chubb Centre of Excellence in the UK. We are proud of the service we offer our customers from the initial enquiry right through to after-sales. As a result, we generally enjoy a long term relationship with our customers.
Some examples of the most common locks:
Rim cylinder is a convenient everyday locking solution. The cylinder can be used on any brand of night latch and provides a standard level of security, many refer to these as Yale style mainly found on wooden front doors.
Euro cylinders commonly found in Upvc or composite doors works with your multi-point lock. To improve the security you can upgrade the standard one to those with a British Standard Kitemark symbol.
Size Matters Before you buy your new cylinder you’ll need to know what size you require. This is easy for a rim cylinder as they are all a standard size. If you have a multipoint lock you will need to measure the euro profile cylinder in two halves from either side of the cylinder’s 10mm centre section. Whenever you fit a cylinder, it should be flush with the door furniture, especially on the door’s exterior
Mortice locks for internal doors and British Standard for external doors, your Insurance company usually specify these eg. many people refer to these as Chubb style locks. It is recommended that all entrance doors are fitted with a mortice lock. Mortice locks provide greater front, side and back door security by being physically ‘morticed’ into the door itself, rather than fitted on the surface. A mortice lock is, therefore, less vulnerable to forced attack than a surface mounted lock. Wherever possible try to fit mortice locks to external doors that are certified to BS3621 and can be identified by the British Kitemark symbol.
Fit them…. Use them
There is no point in fitting locks if you don’t use them.
Establish a routine for checking the door and window locks when you leave the house or go to bed. Get into the habit of locking ALL doors and windows even if you aren’t going far.
