It is essential to protect your home with the best security possible. One way to do this is by installing a good quality padlock on your door. But with so many different types of padlocks available on the market and at FastKeys, it can be challenging to know which one to buy. In this article, we will discuss the different types of padlocks and recommend the best ones for home security.

Types of Padlocks

Padlocks come in two varieties: Keyed and combination. The mechanism used to unlock the lock is not determined by the form of the padlock. Instead, you use a key to open a keyed padlock and input a sequence of digits to open a combination padlock, which is identified by the names. This difference is just as fundamental as the one between locks: beyond this minimal distinction, this post goes through the locking technologies in further depth.

Keyed Padlocks

A key is required to slide several locking pins into place before you can open a padlock that has been keyed. A locking pin is a tiny, metal pin that slides within the core of the lock. Each pin must be set to a specific height by the key to turn the drum and open the lock. Keys with an incorrect cut will not position the pins properly, preventing you from opening the lock.

The most secure against lockpicks, but you’ll have to remember the key.

Combination Padlocks

Combination padlocks have a numbered combination to rotate numerous cams, which allows the shackle to be unlocked. Cams are tiny discs with depression in them. When every indentation lines up together, the shackle is removed and the lock opens. The metal bar that opens or locks in place is known as a shackle.

Combination locks are an excellent option for inexpensive items that people wouldn’t go to much effort to steal, or for safe environments like schools. While you won’t have to worry about a key, they are the less secure choice in terms of security.

Features to Look For

It’s critical to understand the characteristics that distinguish a high-quality product while shopping for a new padlock. With a hammer, simplicity is king; but a padlock should have enough complexity to keep your valuables safe. We’ll go over some of the most important aspects below.

Shackle Material

The shackle is the most visible portion of a padlock. Padlock makers frequently use a robust material to avoid harm when constructing locks with a vulnerable position on an otherwise completely safe design. Shackle materials can be made of a variety of metals, including brass, stainless steel, hardened steel, boron steel alloy, boron carbide, and molybdenum steel alloy.

Shackle hardware is made of brass, stainless steel, or stainless steel. The lower quality options are Brass and stainless steel, which offer little protection against impact. Stainless steel shackles are outdoor rated due to their corrosion resistance.

The most frequent materials used to make shackles are hardened steel and boron steel alloy. To create a harder outer layer, they are subjected to a heat treatment, although some power tools can still penetrate them.

The most durable and costly shackle materials are boron carbide and molybdenum steel alloy, which is why they’re often used in European-style cell doors.