Modern keys...

Er...I have a 'flat' Yale key on the outside door, e.g on the porch. They work either way up (I've just checked).

The inner door has a traditional 'vertical' key. The key for this has to be vertical to get it out of the lock. I see no difference in principle between having to have the key vertical or having to have the key horizontal before it can be removed.

The only complaint I have about the flat keys is that I find it more difficult to get the key into the slot first time, compared with a traditional 'vertical' key.

Most euro locks will lock without turning the key, they need the extra turn to deadlock.

You just have to get used to it. It's your lack of familiarity that's the problem. I went through the same thing myself.

Bill

Yes absolute stupidity. there is a modern lock on my back gate that you cannot get the key out of unless you get it just right.

Brian

All the same why change from a convention which everyone understood, to a weird convoluted system? Brian

The change from traditional to the flat type of key is to do with the ease with which the locks with traditional keys can be "picked" by people with no skill by using a device available cheaply on Ebay. It is debatable if a thief would bother with a lock rather than kicking in a door panel or smashing a window.

I do wonder if the OP has the right type of lock on his front door. Every lock I've had on front doors has needed a key to open once the door has been closed. An extra turn of the key has been required to dead lock it.

Other doors (back doors) may have locks of the type that do require the key to be used to lock it. Usually fitted so that you cannot accidentally lock yourself out just going into the garden.

I run 100% on chubb type locks. No door in this house locks on closing. All require a key.

Chris

All my outer doors are double glazed PVC units with a modern locking systems. Close the door; lift the handle to engage the several locking points; turn the key one revolution; remove the key. No extra turn or dead-locking. Older doors, with a single mortise lock or whatever, might be different I suppose.

In message snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com, Chris Hogg snipped-for-privacy@privacy.net writes

Ours too. However, the locksmith was pretty disparaging about the lock security when I went for some extra keys.

Apparently the insert can be snapped easily and the lock operated with simple tools.

For a modest sum he was keen to offer a d-i-y fittable version. On the to do list....

Ours sound similar - but all keys have a number of tiny magnets which, apparently, makes them more difficult to pick.

I just wish they were keyed-alike instead of having four different patterns...

Indeed. That type of lock is called a "night latch" (

Same here.

You can do the job yourself in less than 5 minutes if it's a eurolock you want to replace. I changed all our eurolocks to high-security anti-snap locks here. As they were bought at different times, we have different keys, although it is possible to have the same key for all the locks. I bought them here:

These locks aren't cheap, but the money you save by fitting them yourself will help with the cost.

Quite! Two exterior doors supplied and fitted by the same company.... different keys!

Live on your own, then? Or just don't care about other's safety?

It may come as a surprise to you but in many parts of the country we don?t feel the need to have locked doors when we?re in the house.

Tim

Or often when we are out either.

We rarely lock ours when we're out of the house!

I wonder whether your insurance company would pay out on any claim.