Jan
05

5 Security Factors To Consider When Choosing A Padlock For Your Storage Unit

It is no easy task to choose the appropriate padlock for your storage unit, so this action should be treated with the utmost importance. The padlock that you choose to secure your storage unit will effectively help determine just how safe your belongings are. I am sure that there are people who think that a padlock will not be necessary, especially if the storage facility you are using already has safety precautions in place. However, one can never be too certain, which is why it is necessary to employ the use of a secure padlock. In order to find a secure padlock for your storage unit, make sure you take into account the following security factors.

1.  Type of Metal

It is important for to invest in a strong metal because this is often a good sign of a quality padlock. One of the most common metals used for padlocks is brass. However, make sure you steer clear of products that use brass when you are looking for high-security padlock. Although brass padlocks have the benefit of being cheap, they are easily bypassed by drilling and other violent methods. If you are leaning towards affordability rather than security, then a solid brass padlock or a pressed steel padlock can do the trick for you and your storage unit.

For those renters who place security on a very high pedestal, it is best to make use of a steel alloy padlock. Padlocks that are constructed with steel alloys generally last longer because the metal is more robust and is not easily weathered. In addition to that, the nature of the metal makes it much harder to drill through and bypass, which effectively makes your unit more secure.

2.  Nature of The Shackle

The shackle is an important part of the padlock, and it works in tandem with the lock body and the locking mechanism to provide security for whatever it is guarding. It is important to pay attention to the nature of the shackle because it is often the first area burglars attack. When you are choosing a padlock, you need to take into account the size of the hasp that you will be using the padlock with. This is important because you do not want to buy a padlock with a shackle that is too big (because it will not fit) or one that is too small and ends up leaving your padlock exposed.

Furthermore, in order to attain maximum security, renters should aim to get a padlock that utilizes a closed shackle or shrouded shackle. Closed shackles tend to offer more security because they expose less of the shackle, thus making it harder to access. The material of the shackle also comes into play here, and similar to the type of metal used on the body of the padlock, hardened alloy steel shackles provide maximum security.

3.  Security Rating

The security rating of any lock is rather hard to determine because there are many factors that go into saying one lock might be stronger than another one. Aside from that, it tends to be misleading to the consumer, especially if there are multiple entities rating locks without any stringent criteria. For instance, if someone rates a master lock padlock higher than a high-security Assa Abloy padlock because that is their personal preference, does not mean that the lock is actually more secure.

If you are looking for a padlock and you are unsure about what the security rating is, make sure you keep an eye out for ratings issued by Sold Secure and CEN. These rating systems put padlocks through rigorous testing in order to properly estimate its level of security as well as longevity. Sold Secure ratings range between gold, silver, and bronze, with gold being the highest security rating. CEN ratings range between a CEN 6 and a CEN 3, with CEN 6 being the highest rating. The security rating is usually a good metric that can be used to judge how effective your lock will be at securing your storage unit.

4.  Indoor Or Outdoor Padlock

There are no universal features for storage units so it is important to figure out what your storage facility has to offer before you buy. For instance, if the storage facility has temperature controlled interior units, you will not have to worry about whether or not your lock is weather resistant. However, if there are exterior storage units, it will be necessary to choose a padlock that is meant for outdoor use. This means that you will need to look out for a padlock that has been well rated as weather resistant.

5.  What The Lock Is Protecting

This might be the most important security factor, but it is often overlooked. In order to adequately secure your belongings within a storage unit, you need to have a complete understanding of what you are protecting and how valuable they are to you. This will be the factor that determines whether you choose a high-security lock or not. There have been many instances where people have thrown things in storage units without a second thought to how valuable and important they might be. That is, of course, until something happens to said items. Renters should make sure to take stock of storage and plan their security around the importance and value of their items.

Conclusion

These factors should serve as a beginners guide to help you choose the right lock for your storage unit. With this information you can make sure your belongings are never left vulnerable and exposed. The most important factor when it comes to the security of your storage unit is communication. It is important to make the storage facility aware of your security concerns, if any, and the best way to achieve this is to have an open line of communication. This also makes it easier for you to suggest lock changes or a new lock installation on your unit if the need should ever arise.