It is in your best interest to protect your valuable possessions. And even though most building codes do not require a quality lock, you should make sure all your locks are the best you can afford.

Contractors almost always prefer to go for the cheapest locks available. As they see it, security concerns belong to the homeowner, not to the contractor. They just use whatever will help sell the house.

Use a lock with Grade 1 ANSI classification. The American National Standard Institute or ANSI has a system for classification of locks according to their durability and reliability. This classification system was developed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association Inc. and gives you a guide to how different locks will perform.

For advice on the best locks for your home or business and for emergency locksmith service in Chicagoland contact the Discount Locksmith, a Chicago 24 hour locksmith with 10 mobile units providing 24 hour Chicago emergency locksmith service.

Always install locks with deadbolts for the extra strength that they provide. There are several types of exterior locks for buildings. Some are equipped with latch bolts, some with dead bolts, and then there’s a latch bolt and dead bolt combination.

The throw of the deadbolt is an important factor in the type of system you choose. Throw is the length of the deadbolt extended from the edge of the door. The longer the throw the better the security because a longer throw is much harder for an intruder to force.

Controlling access to your keys is always very important. Anyone who you employ, whether it be a babysitter, a renovator, or a guest, can easily copy your key even if you only loan it to them for a little while. That means they have access to your home, and can very easily give access to others as well. So be very careful who you let use your key.