Ultion vs Avocet vs Yale Platinum Door Locks: Which is Best?

Your home is your sanctuary, guarded by a small yet mighty component: the door cylinder. It's the core of your door's locking mechanism, the unsung hero keeping threats at bay. As times change, revisiting this guardian is prudent.

Let's delve into the world of door cylinders and see how an upgrade could bolster your home's security. Explore our Rockdoor range to discover the most secure, state-of-the-art lock options available.

What is a door cylinder lock?

A door cylinder is the core of a door's locking mechanism, housed within the lock body. When you insert and turn your key, it's the cylinder that activates the lock, allowing you to secure or access your home. It's like the heart of the lock, pumping security through your door with each turn of the key.

In terms of home security, the door cylinder plays a crucial role. A robust cylinder acts as a formidable barrier against unauthorised entry, keeping your premises safe. It's the line of defense that stands between your peaceful abode and potential intruders. Whether thwarting lock picking, drilling, or snapping attempts, a high-quality cylinder is essential in ensuring that your door remains a reliable guardian of your sanctuary.

Most Effective Door Security Upgrade

Moreover, upgrading your door cylinder can be one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to enhance your home security. It doesn’t require a significant investment nor does it necessitate a major overhaul of your door setup.

A simple cylinder upgrade can significantly bolster the lock’s resistance to common burglary tactics, thus providing an elevated level of security. It's a small tweak, a minor investment in the grand scheme of things, yet its impact on your home’s security is profound. This simple step could be a game-changer, elevating your home’s defense mechanism, and delivering peace of mind.

What makes a modern lock so secure?

Modern high-security door cylinders, such as the Avocet ABS, Ultion Lock, and Yale Platinum, are designed using cutting-edge technology and robust materials to provide an elevated level of home security.

Here’s how these modern marvels work tirelessly to guard your sanctuary:

Anti-Pick Technology:

These locks are engineered with intricate pin configurations and unique anti-pick features that thwart picking attempts, ensuring that intruders find it near impossible to manipulate the lock.

Increased Number of Pins:

With a higher pin count, these locks offer a vast number of key combinations, making them incredibly difficult to pick or bump. The Ultion Lock, for instance, boasts a remarkable pin count, ensuring that only the rightful key holder can gain access.

Multiple Sacrificial Layers:

The Avocet ABS is a prime example of a lock with sacrificial layers. In the event of an attack, these layers break off to protect the core of the cylinder, ensuring the lock remains secure even under duress.

Internal Strength:

The internal mechanisms of these locks, crafted from robust materials, provide a level of strength that resists forceful attacks. The Yale Platinum, with its robust construction, stands as a testament to internal strength, ensuring that the lock remains unyielding under pressure.

Anti-Drill and Anti-Snap Features:

Specialised hardened steel elements and reinforced bars make these cylinders resistant to drilling and snapping, two common burglary tactics. The Ultion Lock, for example, goes into ‘lockdown mode’ when attacked, providing an additional layer of security.

Magnetic and Dimple Key Technology:

Modern keys, like those used with the Avocet ABS, often incorporate magnetic and dimple technology, providing a higher level of key control and making the locks harder to pick.

Key Control:

High-security cylinders often have patented key systems, ensuring keys can only be copied with the proper authorisation, adding an extra layer of security.

Visual Deterrence:

The mere presence of high-security locks, identifiable by their distinct branding, can act as a deterrent to potential intruders. The knowledge that a home is secured with such formidable locks can discourage attempts at unauthorised entry.

Investing in a high-security door cylinder like the Avocet ABS, Ultion Lock, or Yale Platinum is a prudent choice for those seeking to significantly enhance their home security. With their modern technology and robust construction, these cylinders are not just locks but vigilant guardians, tirelessly working to keep your haven safe and secure.

Avocet ABS vs Ultion vs Yale Platinum Lock

There are loads of different cylinder brands on the market today, however the 3 most popular brands are the Avocet ABS, Ultion lock and the Yale Platinum lock.

Avocet ABS, Ultion Lock 3 PLUS, and Yale Platinum represent the pinnacle of door security. While all three boast the coveted TS007 3-star certification, Avocet stands out with an additional SS312 Diamond grade.

Design-wise, all 3 cylinders come in Silver or Gold, and all can come with an internal thumb turn for ease of use. Avocet and Yale offer dimple keys for enhanced security, while Ultion prides itself on having the UK's thickest key.

Size-wise, Avocet typically caters to a broader range of door thicknesses, which can be highly beneficial as it increases the likelihood of finding a lock that perfectly fits your door. This range of size options offers versatility and makes it a more accommodating choice for various door configurations, ensuring a snug fit and enhanced security.

In the realm of door security, Avocet ABS, Ultion Lock 3 PLUS, and Yale Platinum each offer robust protection, with distinct designs catering to varied user preferences. Avocet’s broader size range and additional certification highlight its premium security stance, while Yale and Ultion bring unique features enhancing user convenience and key security respectively.

How to Measure a Lock?

Most locks on doors are very easy to take out and measure. On most UPVC and composite doors there will be a screw on the side of the door that screws into the cylinder.

With a tape measure, measure from the external side of the cylinder to the centre of the screw hole and do the same from the internal side of the cylinder.

You will end up with two numbers that may or may not be the same, i.e 45mm (internal) and 55mm (external), so this means your cylinder is 100mm in length but is offset, so you need to get a cylinder that is 45mm internal and 55m external. This is important as you need to make sure the cylinder goes back into the door correctly with the anti-snap on the external side.

It’s also worth noting that if your cylinder sticks out or is proud from the external handle, you can go for a smaller external sized cylinder, i.e if it sticks out 10mm from the external handle and the external size to the screw hole is 55mm, you can get a 45mm external cylinder and this will then sit a lot flusher with your handle.

How to install or remove a Lock?

How to Install or Remove a Lock?

Ensure the door is unlocked. Locate the screw on the door's side in-line with the lock. Using a Phillips screwdriver, undo and remove the screw, keeping it in a safe place.

Insert your key into the lock, turn it to about 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock, and pull the cylinder out.

Reinstallation:

Ensure the anti-snap side faces externally; if dual anti-snap, look for 'EXT' marking.

Insert the key, turn it to align the black centre cam flush within the cylinder for smooth insertion.

Position the cylinder centrally, reinsert and tighten the screw securely to hold the cylinder in place.

Conclusion

Understanding the various types of door locks and their respective security features is essential for safeguarding your home or business. We hope this article has helped you gain valuable insights into making an informed choice for your door lock needs.

Whether you opt for traditional deadbolts or explore smart lock options, the key is to match the lock to your specific security requirements.

Related Links:

• About Us: Get to Know Our Expertise and Values
• Service Area: Where We Operate
• Rockdoor Range: Explore Our Wide Selection
• Security Features: Learn More About How We Keep You Safe
• FAQ: Your Questions Answered

For any more questions or personalised recommendations, feel free to contact us. Your safety is our priority, and we're here to assist you every step of the way.