The Lock Shop Blog

The Lock Shop offers expert commercial locksmith services in Albuquerque, NM. Protect your business with professional lock and security solutions today!

Homeowners with multiple inhabitants in their houses can benefit from getting their house keys duplicated. Read our blog to learn about these benefits.

Discover essential tips for identifying a trustworthy locksmith, from researching services to verifying certifications and asking for cost estimates.

Explore the benefits of keypad locks for your home, including keyless access, enhanced security, durability, and easy installation for improved safety.

Learn six key reasons to rekey your locks, from improving security and maintaining aesthetics to saving costs and customizing your home’s locks.

Commercial door locks are necessary for protecting buildings against weather, theft, and vandalism. Several different commercial door locks are available for buying on the market. Therefore, comprehend their fundamental distinctions to select the best one. Below is a guide on various commercial locks that could benefit your business. 1. Mortise Locks Mortise locks are remarkable locks with an outstanding internal mechanism. A mortise lock has several components working together to offer you a safe lock. Because the lock is resilient, it can withstand the strains of commercial use. These locks' deadbolts are set up in the lock body, making them less accessible and difficult to pick. Furthermore, mortise locks last longer because of their greater cycle counts. 2. Cylindrical Lever Locks Commercial door locks that have cylindrical levers are quite common. In contrast to typical residential doors, these locks can handle heavy traffic. You can use a key or a key plus a push button combination to open cylindrical lever locks. These locks have a push button on the inside, and the keyed side of the lock controls entry from the outside. Most lock cylinders with cylindrical lever locks are common bored cylindrical locks. The lock always rests inside the lever. 3. Electric Strike Locks Electric strike locks guarantee that a door constantly locks from the outside. The door will lock after someone unlocks it and enters the building. The lock is a great choice for public facilities that need protection on one side of the entrance. It has a metal latch that locks the door unless an electronic signal, such as one from a key fob, causes a release. The lock may also be a very cost-effective choice for any business structure. In the case of a power outage, the locks have a lockset or panic bar for physical opening. 4. Cam Locks Cam locks include a clasp with an attached arm, or cam, that revolves around to lock. They feature a metal tube with an opening on one side that aids in positioning the bolt when it is placed. These door locks work best in vending machines or display cases to restrict entry. They are good for shielding sensitive items since they are unnoticeable in cabinets. 5. Deadbolt Locks Deadbolts, Instead of using a spring, feature bolts that engage when a knob or key turns. Their unique locking makes them more resistant to physical assaults, beating, and drilling. Three primary types of deadbolt locks exist. The simplest deadbolts have a single cylinder that opens from one side with a key. Deadbolts with two cylinders is the second type and can open with a key from either side. Vertical deadbolts, contrastingly, function by moving the lock vertically instead of horizontally. It makes the lock less vulnerable to tools like a crowbar a person might use to open the door. 6. Keypad Door Locks Keypad door locks enable many users to open the lock without providing each user with a key. That lessens the possibility of someone getting unauthorized access. You may also use these locks to create security hierarchies and aid you in control access. Some keypad door locks are keyless, making it impossible to pick, bump, or bypass the lock. A large number of these keyless keypad door locks include biometric lock features. Its use of key cylinders as a backup alternative makes them popular among companies. These locks are a good place to start considering the many locks available in the market. The pointers can help you get your bearing when selecting a commercial door lock type. Before choosing a lock, make sure that you consider your business. Make sure that your lock doesn’t put any restrictions on you. Contact us for more details on the appropriate commercial locks available for you to consider.

A safe protects your essential items against hazards such as flooding and fire. You can also use a safe to store potentially dangerous objects such as prescription medications or weapons. You can install the safe in your home or business premises. Here are some items that you can store in the safe. 1. Cash Although cashless transactions have become the norm, you still need cash on hand for emergencies. The emergency can prevent you from withdrawing money from your bank or using debit or credit cards. However, cash is a vulnerable item that ranks high on burglars' most wanted list. Since places like under mattresses or drawers are not secure, consider storing your cash in a safe. 2. Heirlooms You may inherit heirlooms when your relative passes away. The heirlooms vary from valuable items to sentimental objects with insignificant monetary value. If you don't use these items regularly, securely stack them away to prevent damage or loss. Even if you have a bulky heirloom, you can get a safe that’s the right size. 3. Jewelry People often store various forms of jewelry in safes, particularly Asian gold and dowry jewelry. A safe is also a central location to store all the family's jewelry for better protection. For example, a safe is a perfect place for newly married couples to put their wedding rings as they go on their honeymoon. 4. Insurance Policies If an emergency occurs, you won't have enough time to search for insurance policies. But you can easily access the documents if you store them in a safe. Also, since most safes are fireproof, you can still retrieve your documents, even if a fire destroys your home. 5. Safe Deposit Box Keys People often misplace safety deposit box keys because the keys are usually very small. For example, if you carry the keys on a key ring, burglars can steal the key. The perfect place to store the safety deposit box keys is in a safe in your home. You can even use the safe to store keys that you rarely use, such as the spare house keys or the keys to recreational cars. 6. Birth Certificates You will require birth certificates for most things in your life. A birth certificate may be necessary if you want to enroll in the military or schools. You may also need a birth certificate when applying for a marriage license, driver's license, or passport. If a birth certificate gets lost, you may not even be able to register your child for elementary school. 7. Passport The passport allows you to travel abroad, but you can also use it if you lose your driver's license or ID. Some agencies or companies may also require multiple identification forms besides the driver's license. Moreover, putting the passport in a safe ensures you can quickly grab it when traveling. 8. Guns Always unload your gun and put it in a secure safe. Remember to put the magazine in a different safe from the one with the actual weapon. Some vendors even sell unique gun safes specifically for each type of gun. 9. Precious metals Any precious metals, like copper, silver, and gold, should always be in a safe. That is because the items are valuable, and burglars can break into your home specifically to steal precious metals. 10. Family Pictures You may not salvage precious family pictures if a fire breaks out in your home. But you can back up the photos online or on a thumb drive and put the drive in the fireproof safe. The durability, effectiveness, and cost of safes vary depending on where you buy the safe. The Lock Shop is a trusted vendor of keys, locks, and safes. Contact us to place your order.

If you have ever lost your keys or locked yourself out of your home, you know how it can be a frustrating and stressful experience. Thus, you should always have a spare key hidden somewhere on your property in case of emergencies, but where should you hide it? You might find it challenging to figure out the best solution, but there are plenty of creative ways to hide your spare key. In this blog post, we will explore five creative and effective ways to store your spare key in a secure place. 1. Fake Sprinkler A fake sprinkler is an excellent place to store your spare key because it resembles a real sprinkler, which makes it unobtrusive and easy to conceal. The fake sprinkler is simple to install and inexpensive, so everybody may own one. When finished, bury it in the earth and leave only the top visible. Furthermore, if you have a sprinkler system, placing a fake sprinkler head at the front door makes it much less noticeable. You may feel confident that your spare key is safe and hidden in plain sight from potential thieves with a fake sprinkler. 2. Vehicle's License Plate To hide your extra key in your vehicle, first detach the number plate at the rear of your vehicle. Then, wrap the extra key with tape to prevent it from rusting and harming the paint of your vehicle. Position the key behind the license plate and align it with the plate's hole. Finally, lock the plate back into place to securely conceal the spare key. Because the license plate hides the key, this method provides an inconspicuous location to put it. Furthermore, the license plate will serve as a shield from the weather and potential theft. When you need the key, you can simply unscrew the license plate and retrieve the key. 3. Doghouse or Birdhouse You can conceal the key within or beneath the doghouse. If you want to put it inside the birdhouse, put it in a tiny box or container that is secure inside the house. To keep any tenants out, you can curtain off the bird entrance. If you decide to put it below the doghouse, ensure the house is high enough off the ground to protect the key from moisture and rust. You can also lay the house key on a piece of timber to keep it dry. 4. Vinyl Siding Because of its durability and weatherproofing, vinyl siding is an excellent choice for hiding a key. It is simple to find a hidden location inside the siding. Attach a piece of hook and loop connector to the key and another line inside the lip of the lowest part of the paneling in a spot you can recall, such as close to a window or the air conditioning system unit, to hide the key. Alternatively, connect a paper clip or short bit of string to the key and insert it into one of the seams, leaving only a little amount of the wire or string accessible. Make sure you have enough length to grip but not too much that it stands out. 5. Trees A tree is a brilliant place to hide your extra key because no one will think to look in the woods for a key. To use this location, choose a tree that is not too near to your home and hammer a nail into it on the opposite side away from your home. You can then hang the key on the nail. To safeguard the key against corrosion, apply a light paint coat or another protective agent. If you ever lose both your main and spare keys, then it is time to consider a new lock for your house. You can upgrade your locks with our inventory at The Lock Shop . Contact us today to view our locks and keys options.

The world is changing quickly, as is technology. Today, we have smartphone-controlled digital locks, voice command locks, biometric locks, and more. Although these locks increase security, there are several factors to consider. Here are the four main factors to consider when purchasing a digital lock. 1. Security The primary function of a lock is security. Digital locks have high-tech security features like biometric authentication, entry without a key, and encrypted data storage. You need a digital lock with good security features to stop unauthorized access, tampering, or hacking. Also, look for a digital lock with encryption protocols that are standard in the industry and a strong password protection system. Biometric authentication adds an extra layer of security because biometrics can't be copied or stolen easily. It's also a good idea to look for digital locks with backup options like key overrides or backup codes to ensure that you can access your property even if there's a power outage or a technical failure. 2. Compatibility The compatibility of the lock tells you if it will work with your current door hardware and security system. Some digital locks can only be put on particular doors, while others can be placed on any door but need certain locks or security systems to work. Compatibility is also essential in determining the level of security provided by the lock. Suppose a digital lock is incompatible with your current security system. If that's the case, it might not work with other security devices like alarms or cameras, leaving your home open to burglars. Compatibility also affects the lock's ease of use and convenience. If your smartphone or other digital devices don't work with a digital lock, it may be hard to access or control the lock from afar. Compatibility problems can even cause the coil in the lock to stop working, which is inconvenient and could be dangerous. 3. Authentication Methods The authentication methods are used to determine how easy it is to access the locked space. PIN codes, key fobs, biometric scanning—fingerprints, facial recognition, etc.—and smartphone apps are common ways to prove who you are. Additionally, the type of authentication method should be chosen based on the lock's intended use. For example, biometric locks are suitable for high-security places like banks and government buildings, while keypad locks are good for homes and small businesses. Also, some methods of authentication may require technical know-how, while others are easy to use and can be done by anyone. For example, smart locks are easy to use with a smartphone app, but biometric locks may need to be set up and maintained by a professional. 4. Type of Lock The type of lock determines the level of accessibility and convenience. Biometric locks that use fingerprints, keypad locks that use codes, and smart locks that use smartphones are all standard digital locks. Biometric locks are very safe but challenging to use when more than one person needs to get in. Keypad locks are easy to use and give enough security, but they can be hacked or have their codes stolen. Smart locks give you security and make your life easier, but you need a smartphone that works and an internet connection to use them. Before choosing a digital lock, think about how secure it needs to be, how many people will need access, and how easy it is to use overall. Lastly, the digital lock you choose will depend on your needs and how much money you have. Don't compromise on home or office security or convenience. Choose the best digital lock for your needs and rest easy knowing your property is safe. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process of selecting the best safety for your needs and will answer any questions you may have. Visit The Lock Shop's extensive selection of high-quality digital locks today.