When it comes to home security, one simply cannot afford to slack off on this front. One incident – that’s all it takes to make your warm, safe, and cosy home turn into a potential hotspot for crime! And while you can deck up your home in CCTV cameras and wireless alarms and the whole nine yards, the most critical feature of a secure home is pretty basic – a sturdy, reliable door lock.
As such, we are always on the lookout for the best and safest door lock designs that can create and maintain a sense of security and mental peace in our homes. 
As technology advances, the number of options does, too and zeroing in on the right door lock designs can be a confusing decision to make. After all, you never know what a marketing gimmick is and what is worth its weight in gold. And so, we have narrowed down the best front door lock designs to keep you and your family secure.
Plus, some of these are pretty aesthetic if looks are one of your primary considerations! So, let’s get started!
Keypad Front Door Lock Design
Give your pockets a break with this keypad front door lock design. This keyless door lock design features a push-button keypad that you can program with unique entry codes to grant doorway access. At the same time, it also sports an electronic doorbell and an intercom system through which you can answer the bell and interact with the guest.
Most of these keypad-based door lock designs are also equipped with door cams that turn on when someone rings the bell. Alternatively, you also get very basic keypad door locks, with the keypad mounted on the door handle structure. You might even find models of such door locks with slots to insert keys.
The greatest advantage and disadvantage of this system – anybody who has access to the unique code has access to your home.
Remote Operated Smart Lock
Taking the security of a keypad front door lock a few notches higher is a remote-controlled smart door lock. It is yet another keyless door lock design where you mount the lock on your door and access the lock through a mobile app.
Some designs also have keypads, fingerprint sensors, a door cam, and a two-way talkback system. The best feature of this main door lock design is that you will get real-time alerts and notifications when someone shows up at your door.
The door camera may sometimes capture images or videos once it senses movement. The only possible chink in the armour of such top-notch security is that it is heavily reliant on high-speed internet and WiFi connectivity. So, go for it only if you have the latter.
Biometric-Based Main Door Lock Design
If you have been staying up to date on the multi-factor authentication of internet safety, you may have come across the motto – something you know, something you have, and something you are. While a PIN for a keypad front door lock is something you know, the mobile containing the app for a remote smart lock is something you have; a biometric-based lock uses the “something you are.”
As the name indicates, these locks contain smart biometric-based recognition systems to authenticate and authorise entry. You can register your fingerprint or iris on the apps linked to the biometric sensor placed on the door that operates the lock. With this main door lock design, you get top-notch security as only registered biometric inputs can grant home access!
Classic Lock and Chain Design
While the lock and chain design is not recommended as the only locking system for your home for obvious reasons, it makes for a great second line of defence. After all, it has been a classic for a reason (and a saviour in horror movies and shows, if you’ve seen enough of them!) They gain greater importance considering that they allow you to open your door just enough to see who is outside and even accept slim packages without exposing yourself.
Plus, they are highly versatile, you can use them as a single-door or double-door lock design, and they are equally useful either way. Similarly, apart from front door lock designs, you can use them as bedroom door locks for child-proofing your home. Some lock and chain designs also come with a padlock for greater security.
Four-Bolted Main Door Lock
If you are looking for heavy-duty security, then this four-bolted main door lock design is perfect for your home. It is easy and hassle-free to install, readily available in the market and does not require extra accessories such as sensors and batteries, which is why it is commonly found across almost all homes.
Not to forget that these come in a variety of modules and specifications according to your home security requirements – you can get double or triple-bolted locks, locks that latch on their own, etc. Even though the magic happens internally, with the reinforced bolts securing the locks, the external appearance of such door lock designs is sleek, modern, and aesthetic.
Privacy Door Knob Lock Design
These door lock designs are some of the commonest ones available and featured in Indian living room and bedroom interior design. The blend of cost-efficiency, availability, versatility, and ease of installation are the primary factors driving its widespread adoption.
While they are commonly featured as front door and bedroom door lock designs, you may have also seen them in washrooms, laundry rooms, garages, balconies, storage, and closets. This door lock design sports a twist-lock door knob with a button lock on one side for one-way accessibility.
Some variants of this design have a keyhole on the other side for two-way access. Depending on the lock model you pick based on your requirements, the key could also be a standard or a computerised one.
Mortise Deadbolt Door Lock Designs
Mortise deadbolt or bolt-on door locks require a thumb or a key turn to activate the lock cylinder in the right position. Such a locking system is built onto the bolt, making it an integral part of the lock – this hardware is then mounted in the door. Such a mechanism is quite different from the spring bolt locks that can be jimmied open.
As such, mortise deadbolts are a lot safer since they are perfectly sealed and tamper-proof. You can reinforce the safety even more by selecting door lock designs containing multiple levers and deadbolts. Further, deadbolt locks have heavy-duty strike plates that strengthen the jamb and make it even more inaccessible to tampering.
So, while privacy door knob locks are great as bedroom door lock designs, deadbolt door lock designs are best as front door lock designs.
Double Door Knocker Chain and Padlock
If you are looking for an aesthetic main double door lock design, then you might want to consider going old school with high-quality knockers, and chain and padlock combinations. It is pretty simple, straightforward, and doesn’t have a lot going on. At the same time, we wouldn’t say that it counts as a “smart” main door lock design, but it definitely works in a pinch.
As mentioned already, you need to ensure that every element – from the knocker to the chain to the padlock – must be of high quality so that it can uphold the security of your home. A single weak link can undo the collective effort otherwise.
Alternatively, suppose you have a flexible budget. In that case, you might want to look into getting a metal shutter frame fabricated (or perhaps a chain link fence for the outdoors area) and chain that with a padlock for greater protection.
Combination Door Lock Designs
You may have seen combination door locks in luggage and lockers but did you know that you can also use these around your home? Yes! For starters, you have the standard combination padlocks that can be pretty durable and discrete, making them perfect for an additional layer of security – for an external gate, the front door, or even your bike.
Combination door lock designs are also seen internally in built-in safes where you keep your cash and valuables at home. You might also find electronic door lock designs that respond to programmable combination codes. Although not very common, the combination lock designs are an excellent option for balancing installation space with safety.
Invisible Door Lock Designs
Invisible door lock designs are smart for a reason – you have to spot them in the first place to unlock them! There are several kinds of invisible door locks available in the market and you can pick one that works for you.
For instance, here, we have an intricate door handle design that conceals the keyhole with a movable piece. Similarly, there are modern designs where the keyhole would be smartly snuck between the design or grooves so that only the homeowner knows where to stick the key.
We also see such designs in the keypad or biometric-based door lock designs where the panels are expertly hidden in such a way that only you can access them and gain entry to your home. In a way, such “invisible” designs enhance the security features of your door locks.
Closing Thoughts
The door lock designs discussed above are a great way to protect your home and its inhabitants from any external threats and actors. Even though your primary focus was on main door lock designs, we have also discussed a few door lock designs that you can install inside your home – such as bedroom door lock design.
Some of the locks serve purely functional roles, while others also add a touch of aesthetics to the living room interior design. With this knowledge, you can now decide on the perfect lock for your door!
Stay tuned to the HomeLane blog for more information on how to beautify and safeguard your home.
FAQs
What are the 4 types of locks?
While there are several types of door lock designs available, four of the most common ones include:
- Knob locks, which have a door knob on either side of the door and can be locked from the inside or the outside.
- Deadbolt locks, which require the turning of the key or a knob to disengage. They are more resistant to battering, jimmying, and physical attacks and prevent forced entry.
- Padlocks, which are freestanding locks that are not permanently attached to a door or a knob. These portable locks can be looped around items to lock them.
- Smart locks, which leverage some form of technology, be it keypads, card readers, remote sensors, or biometric sensors, to offer access to your home.
Which lock is best for the main door?
Some of the best main door lock designs are:
- Deadbolt locks
- Mortise locks
- Keypad locks
- Smart locks
You can pick any of the above door lock designs depending on the safety requirements and your budget. You could even pick a combination of two designs to turn up the security multi-fold.
What is the safest door lock?
As much as we’d like to have one “uncrackable” lock, every lock has its fair share of pros and cons. As such, your search for the “safest” lock would depend on several factors ranging from the type of door to placement to features to budget.
Which lock brand is best?
Some of the top door lock design manufacturing brands include Godrej, Dorset, Harrison, Link, Jainson, Ozone, Yale, and Europa. Do note that every other brand has its speciality. For instance, Godrej has an impressive line of regular, electronic, and smart locks whereas Harrison mostly focuses on padlocks, deadbolts, and mortise. So, the definition of the “best brand” also varies with the lock type.
