What is a thumb turn lock?

There are many different types of door locks on the market today, and it can be difficult to differentiate between them and decide which one you need. That’s why it’s not surprising that many people don’t even know what a thumb turn lock is, even though most probably have one in their house. This type of lock is more common than you might think and is often used in spaces where convenience and privacy are important.

Let’s take a closer look at what thumb turn door locks are and how they work, so you can decide if they’re the right choice for your home.

What is a Thumb Turn Lock and How Does It Work?

Thumb turn locks are suitable for both interior and exterior doors. For interior use, this lock can only be operated from inside the room. Typically, thumb turn locks don’t have a keyhole on the outside – just a thumb turn on the inside. People commonly use them for bathrooms or bedrooms, which provide privacy and security. For external doors, thumb turn locks require a key to operate from the outside and a knob or thumb turn on the inside. To unlock a thumb turn lock, you simply rotate the knob counterclockwise, and to lock it, you turn it the other way.

This lock is ideal for spaces where privacy is important, like a bedroom or home office. It also provides easy exit in case of an emergency.

How Secure Are Thumb Turn Locks?

The primary function of any lock is to provide security, but the security level varies depending on the lock type. Thumb turn locks are secure for specific uses, but their level of security depends on the design.

Thumb turn locks are used on both interior and exterior doors. For interior use, thumb turn locks without a keyhole on the outside offer basic security. These locks can be easily opened because they often include a release slot, making them suitable for bathrooms or bedrooms where privacy is more important than security.

However, for external doors, thumb turn locks should have a keyhole on one side and a knob on the other for enhanced security. Some of these locks even have a button that prevents opening them from the outside. These locks are especially helpful in emergencies, as you won’t need to search for a key in critical situations – just a simple turn of the thumb can unlock the door.

Unlocking a Jammed Thumb Turn Lock: Emergency Tips

We’ve all likely experienced the frustration of being stuck in front of a locked door. We know that this can be kind of stressful, so resolving it fast is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you unlock a jammed thumb turn lock:

If your thumb turn lock has a release slot, try using it to open the door.
If the release slot doesn’t work or your lock doesn’t have one, consider other options. You can try picking the lock with a bobby pin, paper clip, or a thin wire. However, only attempt this if you’re familiar with the process, as improper handling can damage the lock.
Try using a credit card or a knife if you have one. You’ll need to put it between the door and the strike plate. Move it up and down, changing the angles until you manage to push out the latch.

There’s also an option to use brutal force, like drilling the lock or breaking it with a hammer. However, it’s a last resort and we strongly recommend not doing it because you’ll severely damage your lock. Instead, you may use emergency locksmith services. A technician will reach you as fast as possible and help you to open the door without breaking your lock.

Summing up

Thumb turn locks may not offer the highest level of security, but they are a great choice for privacy and ease of access. They’re perfect for interior doors like bedrooms and bathrooms, providing both convenience and security. These locks are also helpful in emergencies because they don’t require a key to operate.

If you decide to install this lock type or maybe you have any other problems with your locks or key, Sure Lock & Key is always ready to assist. Just give us a call for expert advice or professional installation services.

Most people can carry, let's say, around ten keys, and that's a huge number. The truth is nobody really wants to be burdened with such a bulky item. If you’ve ever had to carry such a thing, you know what we mean. It safely lays somewhere in the depth of our bag, waiting to cause inconvenience when we need to unlock a door quickly. However, imagine how many keys, business owners, people who work in big companies, etc, have to carry. Now imagine the stress they must be under. Just the weight or the possibility of losing or misplacing one or all of the keys. This equals major stress. Helping people in this scenario is something we do all the time. It’s one of the services we perform often, believe it or not. In fact, we would estimate that at least 7 out of 10 calls we receive for our key cutting service could have been avoided if our client had created a strategy for storing their keys. Sure Lock & Key is a locksmith company, coast to coast, with over 35 years of experience in the industry. We have prepared this guide so that you can put our knowledge into action and organize your keys effectively and efficiently. If you have the time to read on you will, in a very short time, learn to save major frustration, wasted time and money. Let’s start!

The Anatomy Of A Door Lock

A door lock is an important invention. It first appeared thousands of years ago, and changed throughout history. Through the years we see sets of new functions, new improvements followed by new functions and new improvements, etc. and throughout these cycles there is never a new alternative that actually arises. Traditional locks were just that, traditional. They didn't change drastically - not until today. Today's locks are fundamentally different. Why? You ask. Well, let's start with the basic reason. Physical keys. The most modern locks do not use physical keys anymore. They are essentially keyless. The most simple keyless lock opens by pressing buttons with numbers or you can have a lock where you just insert a card and whalla it's open. No key needed at least not the ones we grew up with. Sure Lock & Key still sells and services the most basic locks and keys as well as the most high tech, leading edge, facial recognition locks. We’ve been in the industry for over 35 years and we will attempt to answer correctly any questions that are posed to us, regarding all Locksmithing and Security matters.

Lock Picking

Wake up in the middle of the night because of every noise thinking it might be lockpicking? Has someone told you another scary story about home intrusion? Many people have a totally wrong picture of lockpicking, so many myths and unfounded fears exist. That's why Sure Lock & Key has prepared for you a list of facts about this fearsome practice. Learn them once, and you won't be afraid about the safety of your locks without reason ever again. Let's not waste time and dive into it!

What is a thumb turn lock?