There are two main advantages of installing a "high security lock". Fundamentally both of these advantages stem from the idea that you must have an actual key to the lock in order to open the door. This may seem obvious until you realize that you do not currently enjoy either advantage.
The first advantage provided is that without a key, the lock does its job and forces a potential intruder to use means other than opening the lock to enter the home. This forces the intruder to break a window or kick in the door. The noise created by either alternative is likely to draw considerable attention, which is often enough of a deterrent for a potential intruder to look elsewhere, especially in urban settings. Should you happen to be home, and in the worst case scenario asleep, the noise created by the intrusion is likely to awaken you and give you time to react. Silent entry is terrifying for the home owner, as the intruder can be on top of you before you are awake or in any way able to call for help.
The second advantage provided is that if the intruder chooses to enter via the lock, the lock must show evidence of such activity. Because the Bowley Lock cannot be easily picked, bumped or tampered with, an intruder would be forced to use some other means such as drilling the lock with a high powered drill and high end bit or cutting it off with a torch, both of which would be obvious signs the lock had been penetrated. Standard locks can be opened easily without any signs of entry. The evidence of an entry is of high importance. There have been tens of thousands of documented cases of robberies, which have not been realized until hours or days later. It isn't until items are noticed missing that a break in is considered as the cause. In some cases unaware home owners have opened their door (which had no signs of forced entry) to find the criminal still in the home. A high security lock lets you know something has happened, and allows you to call the police before you enter the home. This advantage can seem minor, until you return home to find an intruder present. More over the damage done to the lock give you evidence you may need in order to file a police report or insurance claim. If you believe you have been broken in to and there is no proof of it, is possible the claim and/or the police report you filed may be under suspicion of fraud, something a victim does not need to deal with. A damaged lock is proof something happened.
In our opinion all locks should provide these two primary functions, at all price points, and those that cannot should not be called locks at all.
Lastly, although we fully endorse all forms of home security, including monitored alarm systems, the sound of an alarm going off has become such common place that neighbors do not assume your home is being broken in to. The sound of a window breaking or a door being kicked in is actually much less likely to be ignored. And usually by the time your alarm sounds the intruder has been in your home for several minutes and will be long gone before the police or security company can respond.
You may not value these advantages enough to outfit your home with costly European locks. It would not make sense if you are in the market for a new lock to not consider a high security lock, especially if the increase in cost is minimal. The Bowley Lock will give you the same peace of mind that the most expensive locks available provide, but at a much lower cost.
The first advantage provided is that without a key, the lock does its job and forces a potential intruder to use means other than opening the lock to enter the home. This forces the intruder to break a window or kick in the door. The noise created by either alternative is likely to draw considerable attention, which is often enough of a deterrent for a potential intruder to look elsewhere, especially in urban settings. Should you happen to be home, and in the worst case scenario asleep, the noise created by the intrusion is likely to awaken you and give you time to react. Silent entry is terrifying for the home owner, as the intruder can be on top of you before you are awake or in any way able to call for help.
The second advantage provided is that if the intruder chooses to enter via the lock, the lock must show evidence of such activity. Because the Bowley Lock cannot be easily picked, bumped or tampered with, an intruder would be forced to use some other means such as drilling the lock with a high powered drill and high end bit or cutting it off with a torch, both of which would be obvious signs the lock had been penetrated. Standard locks can be opened easily without any signs of entry. The evidence of an entry is of high importance. There have been tens of thousands of documented cases of robberies, which have not been realized until hours or days later. It isn't until items are noticed missing that a break in is considered as the cause. In some cases unaware home owners have opened their door (which had no signs of forced entry) to find the criminal still in the home. A high security lock lets you know something has happened, and allows you to call the police before you enter the home. This advantage can seem minor, until you return home to find an intruder present. More over the damage done to the lock give you evidence you may need in order to file a police report or insurance claim. If you believe you have been broken in to and there is no proof of it, is possible the claim and/or the police report you filed may be under suspicion of fraud, something a victim does not need to deal with. A damaged lock is proof something happened.
In our opinion all locks should provide these two primary functions, at all price points, and those that cannot should not be called locks at all.
Lastly, although we fully endorse all forms of home security, including monitored alarm systems, the sound of an alarm going off has become such common place that neighbors do not assume your home is being broken in to. The sound of a window breaking or a door being kicked in is actually much less likely to be ignored. And usually by the time your alarm sounds the intruder has been in your home for several minutes and will be long gone before the police or security company can respond.
You may not value these advantages enough to outfit your home with costly European locks. It would not make sense if you are in the market for a new lock to not consider a high security lock, especially if the increase in cost is minimal. The Bowley Lock will give you the same peace of mind that the most expensive locks available provide, but at a much lower cost.