At A Glance
- UPVC door locks need to be chosen specifically to suit the conditions of the beachfront
- Beachfront atmospheres are high in humidity, salt, and sand; this impacts our locks
- Selecting brass, stainless steel or coated multi-point locking systems is recommended
- Every lock in your UPVC doors should be regularly cleaned, maintained and lubricated
Are you lucky enough to be the proud owner of an awesome beachfront property? First, we want to congratulate you. Life on the beachfront is a truly amazing life experience. However, while this can be a truly tranquil life experience, it’s important that you take due care of your beachfront property’s security setup. This is especially true if the property is not always occupied, especially out of season.
The challenge, of course, is finding the right lock mechanism for your beachfront entrance. Most of the time, you will have a UPVC door as these are the most suitable door types for a beachfront home. That means you need to find a suitably high-quality UPVC door lock mechanism. To help you find the right lock mechanism, we asked lock specialists Multipointlocks for some insight about what styles work best.
Read on for some advice on the best lock options to keep your beachfront property well-secured!
Why Beachfront Conditions Damage Door Locks
Life by the beach is a truly idyllic way to live. If this is your day-to-day existence, then we cannot lie – we are pretty jealous! However, we also want to make you aware of potential issues.
Look, it is a fact that life near the beach brings many weather issues that you do not get in the inland. For example, the air near the beach is always filled with two things that can damage your doors: salt air and humidity.
Humidity builds up in the air due to the constant presence of water. That means more water in the air, leading to excess humidity. Humidity can make our doors swell, but it can also lead to a higher risk of rusting and corrosion on our doors.
Meanwhile, salt in the air can lead to issues such as salt build-up around keyholes and within the lock mechanism itself. Over time, that is going to see your doors stop working as they should. It could lead to salt building up in the lock, or the salt’s presence could accelerate issues such as rusting and corrosion.
Sand can also have a negative impact on your lock systems. It could get into the locks, but it might also linger in the air and lead to a periodic need to clean out your door locks. Any build-up or salt, sand and/or humidity is likely to cause your locks to degrade more quickly than they would elsewhere.
How do you avoid this issue from getting worse? You need to invest in corrosion-resistant UPVC door locks. Let’s take a look at why this matters.
The Need For Corrosion-Resistant UPVC Door Lock Mechanisms
If you need to protect your beachfront property, then your locks are an absolutely essential place to start. Without good locks, how can you possibly feel secure – especially if you aren’t always present?
Of course, as we discussed above, the right UPVC door lock mechanism for a beachfront property is not always the same as what you would use for an inland property. Marine climates have a habit of impacting properties differently, mainly due to the high levels of salt that linger in the air near beaches.
So, you need to make sure that you invest in a high-quality UPVC door lock mechanism. Generally, we recommend installing a multi-point locking system. Why?
- Multi-point locking systems are more secure thanks to the presence of several lock points. If someone wants to break into this door, they’ll need a lot of different tools & skills
- MPLs are also more compatible with most insurance policies. Many insurance providers will specifically ask for MPLs, especially in high-value properties like beachfront villas
- These systems tend to come coated in weather-resistant materials. This makes them less likely to suffer from the kind of wear and tear that we mentioned in the above section
Whatever UPVC door lock mechanism you choose, you should make sure that it is suitably protected. Most lock systems made from stainless steel or brass will be suitable. However, make sure that they come with an added weather-protective coating. Not every lock mechanism for UPVC doors comes with an included protective coating, even if it is made from brass and/or stainless steel.
If you are unsure about what would be a suitable choice, contact a local locksmith. They can advise you on the most marine-friendly UPVC door lock mechanism for your beachfront building. Sometimes, your door type or your property layout might mean you have to go for a different type of lock system.
Also, if you are going to upgrade your locks, we highly recommend hiring a professional to do it for you – especially if you are installing a multi-point locking system. Installing these on your own is not easy; it takes years of experience to work out how to successfully fit a multi-point locking system!
Protect Your Beachfront Property From Salt Air Lock Decay
Now, we hope that the above guide – inspired by help from Locks & Handles – gives you a helping hand in getting started. Hopefully, now you can appreciate the value of a quality UPVC door lock mechanism on your beachfront home!
One last tip we want to provide you with before you go, though, and that is to regularly set a schedule to clean your lock mechanism. Regular cleaning helps to wash off salt from the air and can also help to avoid moisture and mould build-up from forming on the lock itself. Cleaning down the locks also helps to avoid rust and the locks seizing up, which can be common for beachfront properties.
You should make a point of visiting your beachfront property to check out the condition of your locks during and after each seasonal change. The change in the weather and the air can lead to rapid deterioration of your locks if they are not properly looked after, so set a schedule for check-ups.
Lastly, make sure to lubricate your locks. Lubricating stops the locks from jamming up as much and can also help with the aforementioned rusting and seizing. Good luck, and stay safe!
About the Author
