As a certified master locksmith, I spend more time thinking about locks than I’d care to admit. Nonetheless, I know my stuff. So, it never fails to surprise me how many folks don’t give security a second thought when picking out new hardware, from doors to different types of padlocks.
In fact, one of the most common mistakes I see is people protecting expensive luggage, tools, garden equipment, sensitive files, or even garages holding their car with a £10 padlock that can be cut in seconds. Yikes…
The bottom line is that not all padlocks are made equal; some are prone to malfunction and tampering, whilst others provide much stronger performance. Although most won’t hold out forever, the best ones will convince criminals to look elsewhere. Here’s why.
Skip to:
- Padlock Choice Matters
- How Locksmiths Assess Padlock Security
- A Rundown of the Different Types of Padlocks on the Market
- Padlocks & Home Insurance
- When to Upgrade Your Security
- Conclusion
Padlock Choice Matters – More Than You Might Think
Even if you consider yourself pretty switched on home security-wise, having upgraded your door locks, window mechanisms and popped in some extra deterrents to boot, padlocks are one of those areas easily glossed over.
Yes, they’re omnipresent in locker rooms, bike sheds, on garages and industrial chain link fences, and they do slow down crooks. However, they’re also one of the juiciest opportunities for thieves and trespassers, especially since many folks don’t secure their outbuildings in the same way they do their homes.
Padlock Weaknesses
Most types of padlocks comprise three main parts: a body, a shackle, and then the locking mechanism. The body houses the locking mechanism, whereas the shackle (the movable U-shaped metal piece) secures the padlock in place once closed. This latter element is where the issues start for most people.
It’s as simple as this: if you’ve chosen a weak type of padlock, and it’s the main line of defence for your car, e-bike, gardening tools, or other expensive bits and bobs, you’re playing a risky game. With a pair of bolt cutters, an angle grinder, or just old-fashioned lock picking kit, forced entry is a doddle for seasoned offenders.
Case in point, not that long ago, an animal shelter in Hull was targeted by pet thieves who gained entry by cutting through the exposed shackle of a padlock, the hardware’s weakest component. Fortunately, none of the dogs were harmed or abducted, thanks to the site security system.
The top line? You should never rely on a padlock as the sole layer of protection, unless it’s insurance approved and the area is low risk.
How Locksmiths Assess Padlock Security
When I’m evaluating padlock security, I always look to the model’s design and specs. To break things down, here are the main elements to consider:
Shackle Design
- Open shackle: The classic design we’re all familiar with. It has an extended shackle made for faff-free versatility with a broad range of chains, hasps and other locking points.
- Closed shackle: When the padlock’s body extends upwards to sheath the sides of the shackle, acting as a protective casing.
- Shrouded shackles: Padlocks with a reinforced plate that almost entirely encloses the shackle to provide maximum protection against cutting.
- Long shackle: It’s in the name – these pieces of hardware have extra-long shackles to accommodate larger objects or thicker materials.
- Adjustable shackles: The most flexible option, these padlocks allow the user to lock up all sorts of items, size posing no obstacle. Here, it’s easy to tweak the shackle for a snug fit and, thereby, reduce the odds of tampering.
Shackle length typically correlates with security; the less exposed metal available to a criminal’s cutters, the better. Make the experience as awkward and laborious as possible, and they’ll likely leave your possessions alone.
Locking Mechanism
- Pin tumblers: These padlocks are operable by a key when a series of internal pins align along a sheer line.
- Disc detainers: Another keyed padlock type, but inside the body, you have a series of rotating discs, and a sidebar to keep the padlock in the locked position. Your key rotates the discs until they align properly and release the sidebar.
- Combination: A type of keyless padlock mechanism, using nested discs and internal notches. The shackle releases when you set them to the correct code positions. Do note that cheap combination padlocks are known to malfunction!
- Lever tumblers: A set of levers, which a key lifts to specific heights to release the shackle.
Of these options, disc detainers and lever tumblers typically offer higher picking resistance. However, I’d prioritise convenience because, let’s be honest, any thief is going to cut the padlock or hasp rather than wasting time on picking.
Materials
- Brass: The most popular option on the market for domestic, low-stakes uses; highly corrosion-resistant; and often the most affordable choice.
- Hardened steel: The standard for most high-quality, home insurance-compatible locks, a heat treatment has been used to strengthen the shackle and increase its resistance to saw attacks.
- Hardened boron-alloy steel: Widely considered the strongest padlock material out there, you’ll find this material on heavy-duty security rating 5 models like the Squire SS100CS.
A Rundown of the Different Types of Padlocks on the Market
Although burglaries are generally trending downwards, police force data from the last few years reveals that daylight garage burglaries have risen by 13%. West Yorkshire, not far from my base, is the worst affected, prompting residents to rethink their hardware. Here’s a mix of padlocks well worth considering if you, too, wish to bolster your protection against opportunists.
Open Shackle Padlocks: A Classic, Affordable Choice
Open shackle padlocks are the most recognisable style and are widely used on sheds, gates, locker doors, and storage boxes. Their exposed shackle makes them versatile and easy to fit, but it also gives thieves more access if they attempt to cut the lock with bolt croppers.
Pros:
- Affordable and widely available
- Suitable for many different fittings and hasps
- Available in keyed and combination versions
Cons:
- Exposed shackle is easier to attack
- Lower security than closed-shackle designs
- Not ideal for high-value assets
Best for: Garden sheds, internal storage areas and low-risk outdoor applications.
Closed-Shackle Padlocks: A Step-Up in Cutting Protection
Closed-shackle padlocks feature a protective metal body that covers most of the shackle, making it much harder for criminals to get cutting tools into position. In my experience, they’re one of the most cost-effective upgrades homeowners can make when securing garages, gates and outbuildings.
Pros:
- Excellent resistance against bolt croppers
- Reduced shackle exposure
- Available in high-security and insurance-approved models
Cons:
- Usually more expensive than standard padlocks
- Can require specific hasps or fittings
- Heavier and bulkier than basic models
Best for: Garages, side gates, workshops, storage units and high-value outdoor storage.
Disc Padlocks: Great Thief Deterrents
Disc padlocks use a circular design with very little exposed shackle, making them difficult to grip or cut. They’re commonly seen securing roller shutters, self-storage units and commercial premises because of their strong resistance to physical attacks.
Pros:
- Minimal exposed shackle
- Strong resistance to cutting tools
- Excellent visual deterrent
Cons:
- Not compatible with every fitting
- Can be harder to access in tight spaces
- Quality varies significantly between manufacturers
Best for: Storage containers, roller shutters, garages and commercial properties.
Combination Padlocks: Ideal for Multiple Users
Combination padlocks eliminate the need for physical keys by using a numeric code instead. They’re convenient when multiple people require access, although cheaper models can be less secure than a quality keyed alternative, which you can get keyed alike. Not to mention, they’re more prone to failure, landing users in a sticky situation where they have to break the padlock themselves!
Pros:
- No keys to lose or replace
- Easy to share access with multiple users
- Convenient for temporary security
Cons:
- Codes can be forgotten or shared
- Budget models may be easier to bypass
- Mechanical components can wear over time
Best for: Schools, gyms, lockers, shared storage spaces and temporary access points.
Heavy-Duty, High Security Padlocks: Top-Tier Protection
Designed to withstand serious attacks, high-security padlocks often combine bulky, hardened steel bodies, anti-pick cylinders, weather-resistant coatings and protected shackles for all-round top performance. These are the types of padlocks I typically recommend when securing expensive tools or machinery and high-value commercial premises, since criminals blanch at the sight of them.
Pros:
- Outstanding resistance to cutting, drilling and picking
- Often available with security certifications
- Long-lasting and built for demanding environments
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- May require specialist keys
- Can be excessive for low-risk applications
Best for: Commercial premises, tool stores, workshops, warehouses and high-value equipment.
Top tip: For businesses managing multiple access points, pairing high-security padlocks with a master key system can simplify access control without compromising their superior security.
Fire Brigade Padlocks: For Public Communal Access Points
Fire brigade padlocks are designed to allow authorised emergency service crews quick, reliable access to certain gates, barriers, hydrants, plant rooms and utility areas when required. These use a standardised emergency-service key system that keeps organisations compliant and members of the public away from staff-only areas. Be warned, they must meet recognised standards such as BS EN 12320.
Pros:
- Allows rapid emergency access
- Commonly used by local authorities and utilities
- Provides decent security from members of the public
Cons:
- Not suitable for most domestic applications
- Restricted to specific use cases
- Offers less key exclusivity than standard security systems
Best for: Bin stores, car parks, electric cupboards, access barriers and communal facilities requiring emergency access.
Smart Padlocks: Convenient, Keyless Access
Smart padlocks use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, smartphone apps or digital credentials instead of traditional types of keys. Unlike conventional locks, access permissions can often be managed remotely, hence why you usually see them in holiday lets, rental properties and in business settings.
Some smart locks offer an exceptionally high level of key control because there are no physical keys to copy. Instead, access is protected using encrypted digital credentials, allowing administrators to grant or revoke access remotely without visiting the property.
Pros:
- No physical keys required
- Users can be added or removed remotely
- Access logs and activity tracking available on many models
Cons:
- Dependent on batteries or power (although many display a ‘low battery’ signal)
- Higher purchase cost
- Quality and security standards vary between manufacturers
- Can be a little tricky insofar as home insurance policies are concerned
Best for: Airbnbs, holiday lets, managed properties, shared workspaces and remote sites.
Padlocks & Home Insurance
I regularly visit properties across North Yorkshire where homeowners and landlords are shocked to find out that their padlocks – on a garage or shed – may pose a real burglary risk, and a gaping hole in their home insurance coverage.
To me, it’s no surprise: a recent Aviva survey found that 63% of UK consumers have done something that could unwittingly invalidate their home insurance cover, and shoddy security is high on that list. This includes using weak padlocks to secure high-value items, which otherwise would’ve been covered had you locked them away adequately.
While no two policies are the same, you’ll meet the minimum security standards for padlocks by picking BS 3621-certified hardware, or grade 3 upwards on the CEN (Central European Norm) rating system. Another top tip: look out for models with a Sold Secure rating between bronze and diamond – you can directly search for approved products on their website.
When to Upgrade Your Security
I see so many padlock mistakes in my work as a locksmith. Many people try to take the shortcut to security by buying based on price alone, ignoring shackle protection, and even using indoor padlocks outside, leaving them to rust and degrade at an accelerated rate.
As I said earlier, no padlock can keep a determined thief at bay forever; very few outmatch the potency of power tools, so it’s up to a combination of secondary deterrents to put off would-be intruders in the first place.
Here are some practical extras I like to share with customers:
- Make sure hasp and staples are properly secured, so they can’t be yanked off and the padlock rendered useless.
- Always ensure your padlock is weather-resistant if you intend to use it outside.
- Consider pairing your padlock with a window sticker, security light, alarm system and/or CCTV.
- Hide valuables from view in outbuildings – a throw over your bikes goes a long way.
- Give your padlock a touch of TLC every now and then (lubricate the lock cylinder with a suitable graphite powder, and check for signs of wear and tear).
- Double-check security specs and reviews before buying.
- Likewise, carefully look over your home insurance policy, paying close attention to its specific wording.
- For rental properties, tenants should raise the issue with landlords, since it falls under their responsibilities, especially following the new Renter’s Rights Act.
- Old and faulty padlocks should be replaced at the soonest opportunity.
Stay Secure with the Right Type of Padlock
A lack of education on padlock types is leaving thousands of households and individuals at risk of theft. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
By simply reading this guide, you’re taking that crucial first step towards strengthened security, be it a garage, shed, bike or outbuilding you’re protecting. Heed my advice and share it with the people you know. The knowledge is invaluable.
If in doubt, though, get a trustworthy lock specialist on the phone (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) – they’ll sort you out with the right hardware. Job’s a good ’un.
