01
Know your door first
Door thickness, material (timber, aluminium, steel) and the existing holes all limit which locks fit cleanly. Measure the backset — the distance from the door edge to the centre of the handle.
02
Deadlatch vs deadbolt
A deadlatch locks automatically when the door closes and can usually be deadlocked with a key. A deadbolt is a separate bolt thrown by key or thumb-turn. Many front doors use an entrance set plus a deadlatch or deadbolt.
03
Think about emergency exit
Locks that need a key on the inside can slow exit in an emergency. Consider how everyone in the household — including children and elderly residents — would get out quickly.
04
Smart locks
Smart locks add convenience and access logs but depend on batteries, apps and connectivity. Check whether there is a mechanical key override and how the lock behaves when the battery is flat.