Locks & Keys

Top Locks & Keys in the UK: Where to Buy, What to Choose, and How to Fit Them

Why the right lock matters for your home

Choosing the right lock isn’t just about keeping your keys in one place — it’s about protecting the people and things you care about. A solid lock deters burglars, reduces the risk of forced entry, and can even affect insurance premiums. Think of a good lock as the front-line armor for your home: it needs to be the right type, installed correctly, and suited to your door and lifestyle. Whether you’re upgrading a tired mortice lock or fitting a smart cylinder, the small investment you make today pays off in peace of mind tomorrow.

Popular stores across the UK that sell locks and keys

If you’re shopping for locks and keys in the UK, you’ve got plenty of reputable options. Large DIY chains such as B&Q, Screwfix, Wickes, and Homebase stock a wide range of mechanical and electronic locks. Specialist suppliers like IronmongeryDirect and LocksOnline focus solely on locks, cylinders, and security hardware. Toolstation is useful for trade-quality kit, while Expert Electrical—known for electrical and related hardware—also lists several door and emergency lock products. For everyday convenience, major online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay offer huge selections, often with fast delivery and customer reviews to help you decide.

What types of locks should you consider?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to locks. The most common categories are deadbolts (or deadlocks), mortice locks, euro cylinder locks, rim locks, and padlocks. Deadbolts provide strong resistance to forced entry, mortice locks fit inside the door and offer a neat finish and heavy-duty performance, while euro cylinders are easy to replace and popular on uPVC doors. Smart locks have joined the lineup too, offering keyless entry and remote control. Consider the door material, location (front door, back door, internal door), and whether you need extra features like anti-snap or anti-drill protection when choosing the right lock.

Mortice locks — classic and robust

Mortice locks are fitted into a pocket cut into the door and are prized for strength and longevity. They work well on solid timber doors and are commonly used on front doors in the UK. If your door is on the slimmer side, check dimensions carefully and consider professional fitting to avoid weakening the door structure.

Euro cylinder locks — replaceable and versatile

Euro cylinders are found on many modern doors, especially uPVC and composite types. They’re simple to swap out should you lose keys or move house. Look for anti-snap, anti-bump, anti-drill, and anti-pick ratings to get the best protection against common break-in methods.

Spotlight on Expert Electrical and products you might find

Expert Electrical is listed among the suppliers that stock lock and safety-related hardware. If you’re browsing their range, you’ll find items that are handy for electricians and contractors who also handle door access systems, such as enclosure locks and key-operated hardware. Examples of products you might encounter include enclosure key locks for cabinets, push-to-exit buttons for electric strikes, and specialized replacement barrels and key sets for certain access systems.

Emergency and bolt-on units

Emergency bolt-on units designed for open areas are available from manufacturers like Collingwood and Salvus. These are generally used in fire and escape systems and may come in manual or self-test variants. If your property has communal spaces with emergency lighting or fire doors, these units help integrate locking mechanisms with life-safety systems.

Where to find specialist locks and brands

Specialist suppliers are a great place to look when you need something beyond the basic high-street offering. IronmongeryDirect and LocksOnline stock brands such as Yale, ERA, Chubb, and Abus, along with trade-quality products like heavy-duty deadbolts, sash locks, and high-security cylinders. Locksmith supply houses often carry specific part numbers and replacement barrels that mainstream stores don’t keep in stock, making them indispensable for tricky or older fittings.

Brands worth knowing

Yale and ERA are household names for cylinders and night latches. Chubb and Union have long histories in British lockmaking and provide strong mechanical solutions. For smart locks and electronic access, look at Nuki and Yale’s smart ranges, which pair with apps and offer remote access features. Abus and Squire are reliable for padlocks and secondary security like chains and bars. Knowing the brand gives you a sense of quality and expected lifespan.

Comparing prices and finding bargains

Price comparison is essential—locks can range from budget cylinder sets to premium multi-point deadbolts costing several times more. The cheapest option might suffice for an internal cupboard, but for your front door you’ll want something tested to higher standards. Online marketplaces and trade outlets often run deals; Screwfix and Toolstation are good for tradesman-grade bargains, while specialist sites sometimes offer bulk or clearance discounts. If you’re buying multiple components—like a new cylinder plus a set of keys—look for bundle deals that can save you money.

Smart locks and modern access control

Smart locks are more than a fad: they let you unlock doors from your phone, create temporary guest codes, and integrate with home automation systems. They’re ideal for short-term rentals, busy families, or anyone who hates fumbling for keys. When choosing a smart lock, check battery life, compatibility with your door and cylinder type, and whether the lock supports encrypted communications to prevent hacking. Popular choices in the UK include Yale’s smart range and third-party retrofit smart cylinders that replace the existing euro cylinder.

Connectivity and compatibility

Smart locks connect via Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, or proprietary hubs. If remote control from outside your home is important, choose a model with Wi‑Fi or one that offers a hub. Make sure the lock’s physical size and turning mechanism are compatible with your existing door hardware to avoid returns and extra fitting work.

DIY installation vs calling a locksmith

Many locks are designed for DIY fitting, especially cylinder swaps and simple deadbolts. If you’re handy with tools, changing a euro cylinder can be straightforward and often only takes a few minutes. However, complex mortice locks, multipoint systems, or locks integrated with alarms and access control are best handled by a professional. An experienced locksmith ensures correct alignment, avoids voiding warranties, and may provide insurance-compliant certification required by some insurers.

When to hire a pro

If the installation requires morticing into a timber door, modifying steel or composite doors, or integrating with fire/safety doors, get a locksmith. Also call one for lost keys to a main entrance — they’ll offer secure re-keying and certified replacement cylinders that insurers recognise.

Practical buying tips for UK shoppers

Before ordering, measure carefully and note whether your door is left- or right-handed. If you’re replacing an existing cylinder, record the length of the current cylinder in inches and match it. Read product reviews and check security features like anti-snap, anti-drill, and anti-bump. If you need multiple keys, factor that into price—some cylinder sets include a fixed number of keys with options to buy extras. Lastly, choose accredited products where possible: locks tested to recognised standards tend to perform better and are easier to insure.

Maintenance tips to keep locks working smoothly

Locks need basic TLC. A quick clean and a small amount of graphite or specialist lock lubricant once a year keeps mechanisms moving. Avoid oil-based sprays that attract dust and grit. If a key starts sticking, don’t force it; clean the cylinder and try a fresh key. For older locks, scheduled checks from a locksmith can prolong life and prevent failures at inconvenient times.

Seasonal checks

Changes in temperature and humidity can affect door alignment, causing a perfectly good lock to bind. Check strike plates and hinges seasonally and tighten screws if necessary. Minor adjustments can save the cost of an unnecessary lock replacement.

Security standards and what they mean for you

When shopping, look for products that meet recognised standards. Locks tested to British or European standards have undergone strength, attack, and lifespan tests. For front doors, BS3621 is a common benchmark for deadlocks and is often a condition of home insurance. Multi-point locks should be compliant with the relevant multipoint standards. Certifications give you independent assurance that the lock will perform under attack and that insurers are likely to accept it.

Where to buy replacement keys and cylinders

Many high-street stores offer key cutting for common profiles, while specialist suppliers and locksmiths can cut restricted or branded keys that require authorisation. If you need a replacement cylinder or a spare key set, specialist online retailers and locksmiths can supply certified parts that match the existing security level. When ordering online, ensure the supplier asks for proof of ownership for restricted profiles, protecting you from fraudulent key duplication.

Balancing budget and security: practical examples

On a small budget, a high-quality euro cylinder with anti-snap features gives a lot of protection per pound. Mid-range shoppers may opt for a mortice deadlock fitted by a locksmith for greater resilience. If you have a larger budget, consider multipoint locking systems and smart locks with encrypted communication. The key is to match the security level to the value at risk: a garden shed probably doesn’t need the same protection as your main entrance door.

Final checklist before you buy

Before you hit purchase, tick off these basics: measure your door and existing hardware in inches, identify the lock type you need, choose a brand or standard you trust, decide whether you’ll fit it yourself or hire a locksmith, and read recent customer reviews. If you’re replacing a primary door lock, prioritise accredited products with anti-snap or anti-bump features to maximise your home’s protection.

Shopping for locks and keys in the UK is straightforward once you know where to look and what to ask for. From big-name DIY chains and online marketplaces to specialist suppliers and trade outlets, there’s a fit for every budget and level of security need. Whether you’re replacing a cylinder, installing a mortice lock, or fitting a smart lock, the right choice gives you safety, convenience, and long-term value.

Conclusion: Make security a habit, not an afterthought. Take measurements in inches, pick accredited products, and don’t hesitate to call a pro for complex installs. The right lock is an investment in comfort and safety—choose wisely.