For years now, padlocks have successfully protected our property and needs against security threads. With our wide range of padlocks, you can now secure everything from your bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter, vehicle doors to a garden shed.

It is essential to choose a padlock for the level of security it offers. And with so many padlock varieties, all that is left to do is decide what lock suits your needs best.

To understand how to choose a lock or a padlock, you must know its components, looks, or how many types there are.

PARTS OF A PADLOCK

A padlock has only three parts: the body, the shackle, and the locking mechanism.

THE BODY

It protects the locking system from any attack or tampering. The padlock body can be made from stainless steel, hardened steel, laminated steel, solid brass, or similar elements.

We also offer a weather-resistant padlock which is covered with a rubber body for protection during rainy and humid conditions.

THE SHACKLE

A shackle is the U-shaped part of a padlock. The restraint opens by either using a sequence of digits or a key.

The size of the shackle is a very important factor you need to consider when choosing the right padlock.

THE LOCKING SYSTEM

The locking system includes the keyway design, the spring, and the locking pin. The design of the keyway, the number combination, and the lengths of the pins determines the key pattern.

PADLOCKS DESIGNS

Many people choose their padlocks by relying on how their features. There are four distinctive padlock looks:

  1. Open Shackle

  2. Closed Shackle

  3. Long Shackle

  4. Straight Shackle

OPEN SHACKLE

The open shackle padlock is the most regularly used. It is suitable both for moderate and high-security protection. The easy access through links and holes makes it one of the best padlocks type out there.

Keep in mind that the longer the shackle, the more vulnerable it will be.

CLOSED SHACKLE

Although closed shackles offer better security for your items, they are rarely an option. It is only because the space available for securing your goods is sometimes minimal.

LONG SHACKLE

Mostly known for their great versatility, the extended shackles can hook over multiple items. However, as mentioned above, the longer the shackle, the more accessible it will be for thieves to remove the lock.

STRAIGHT SHACKLE PADLOCKS

Perfect for protecting your containers, gates, barriers, or bike chains, the straight shackles can be supplied keyed alike. What does this mean? Effectively, you can keep multiple locks in place for your goods and gadgets using a single key for all of them.

THE BEST PADLOCK TYPES

Knowing the components of a lock and padlock, we can now categorise them by type to assist you in making a perfect choice.

LAMINATED STEEL PADLOCKS

Laminated steel padlocks are made of a stack of steel plates riveted together. The ultimate sturdy steel shape is ideal for shielding the locking system against hammer strikes or drilling.

From our wide range of shackle lengths and shape sizes, you can effortlessly decide which is the right one for you.

Order Related Products:

  • Laminated Padlock 30mm Zinc Plated

  • Laminated Padlock 50mm Zinc Plated

  • Laminated Padlock 40mm Zinc Plated

COMBINATION PADLOCK

If there is more than one user, you might need to open a particular padlock leaving some places exposed to others. Combination padlocks allow great flexibility in this case.

A combination padlock is an alternative option to a 'key-operated lock', which could require multiple keys. Knowing that you can change the combination if you believe it might be compromised or prevent one of the former users from unlocking the padlock.

You can choose a three tumbler unit or a four tumbler combination unit. It would be best if you remembered that the combination code could be reset or changed at any time and it is imperative to choose a padlock from reputable brands for more excellent protection.

DISCUS PADLOCKS

Discus padlocks or Disc padlocks are known to be the best type for excellent protection. Made with a shrouded shackle, they offer protection against bolt cutter attacks.

They are also presented with high corrosion resistance and anti-pick features that make them perfect for outdoor use.

Order Related Products:

Disc padlocks

WEATHER-PROOF PADLOCKS

Weather-resistant padlocks are made from thermo-plastic sheathed brass, stainless steel, hardened steel, or aluminium. However, the elements used to manufacture these padlocks can have a significant impact on the price.

Depending on your preference, you can use weather locks for various levels of protection in changeable weather and intense environmental conditions.

Order Related product:

BRASS PADLOCKS

Brass padlocks are the most used by customers worldwide. What's best is that they won't shatter when hit with a hammer, providing maximum security at affordable prices.

Available in an enormous range of shapes or sizes, brass padlocks are highly resistant to decay and priced accessibly. They have great functionality: suitable for securing small gadgets, a bike's chain to the gate, luggage, home entry points, assets, hardware building, or storage units.

Order Related Products:

SHACKLE-LESS PADLOCKS

Despite their name, shackle-less padlocks do have a shackle. They are attack-proof and guarded by a solid body. They can be used with a heavy-duty clasp and have high strength and high durability.

KEYED ALIKE PADLOCKS

If you use more than two padlocks, then keeping multiple keys might feel like a headache. Keyed alike padlocks are sold as a group and share the same key. Save time and money using this type of padlocks.

ANVIL AND SHUTTER LOCKS

Use anvil padlocks for wheel clamping, protecting shop windows, or security parking posts.

Order Related products:

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PADLOCK

Whenever you need a security solution for your most valuable items, you need to make sure what type of padlock suits your needs perfectly. You will need to choose a high-performance CEN or sold secure rating to keep your products safe.

#1. CHECK THE LEVEL OF SECURITY A PADLOCK OFFERS

Most of the time, the locks and padlocks manufacturers will offer a security rating guide. However, high-security padlocks need to have two reliable standards ratings: 'CEN' and 'sold secure'.

'Sold Secure' rating system is divided into three categories: gold, silver, and bronze. Each rating represents the levels of aggression a padlock must withstand, with gold being the highest security rating.

'CEN' is a European standard and can be categorised from CEN 3 to CEN 6. The rating is the same as 'sold secure', CEN 6 being the highest. The padlock must withstand specific security tests.

Padlocks are for the general public and can be used in property management companies, schools, hotels, advertisement firms, home or bar services, and the like.

#2. PICK UP THE RIGHT SIZE

Depending on how and why you use the lock, you need to find the right-sized padlock. Avoid using small padlocks if protecting valuable things.

The size of the shackle is as essential as the padlock's size. Check the thickness of the shackle to give yourself an idea of the level of strength it might provide.

#3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHAPE

As discussed above, there is a range of padlocks you can choose from. These come in four shapes: Discus lock, Anvil lock, Shackleless lock, and Conventional lock.

The discus type is mainly used to secure doors or security chains. While the conventional padlocks are used for low-security purposes, the shackle-less padlocks secure anything from warehouse doors, chain, double doors to container vans.

The anvil style can be seen in usage on bikes or motorcycles.

#4. CHECK THE PADLOCK'S MATERIAL

You need to understand all the security options a padlock can offer. The body of your padlock, and the material it is built from, play an important role in selection.

The padlock's body will protect the shackle from power tools, and the core will offer additional protection against theft attempts.

A padlock's body is made from:

  • solid brass locks

  • laminated steel

  • pressed steel

  • solid steel alloy

  • armour encased

  • hardened steel

#5. CHECK THE SHACKLE'S SIZE AND MATERIAL

Another important aspect when buying a padlock is the shackle's size. A diameter of 7mm will only handle low-security needs.

A lock with 7 to 10 mm diameter is used for medium security requirements, while anything above 10 mm is best for high-security purposes. If built up from stainless steel, then padlocks can be used for your outdoor purposes.

 

However, if a padlock is made from hardened alloy, you can use it for a higher level of security as it will provide more robust protection against any theft.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN BUYING A PADLOCK

Make your padlock selection easier by thinking about these aspects:

  • measure the inside space of the ring where the padlock will be installed

  • the shackle has to be long enough

  • consider if you'll use the padlock outdoor or indoor

  • think whether a key or a combination padlock will suit your needs

  • what to choose: keyed to differ, keyed alike, or master keyed padlocks?

  • Make sure to check the prices and your budget once with the padlock's high-security ratings.

HOW DOES COMBINATION LOCK WORK?

Combination locks usually use a wheel pack, translated as a set of tools that work perfectly together to 'know' the combination. They are all designed around the same principle.

A regular combination padlock presents a combination dial attached to a spindle. Then, inside the padlock, the spindle gets through the wheels and a drive cam.

Combination padlocks are perfect for inexpensive items. Most of the intruders won't even bother to try stealing your products.

Use a combination lock around schools or safe areas.

Interesting fact! The wheel pack has already been used for almost 1oo years.

SUMMARY

Protect your home and anything of significant value using a high-security padlock.

We are confident that our padlocks buying guide has provided you with ample information. If any suggestions or questions might be needed before placing your order, don't hesitate to contact us directly.

With such a wide range of padlocks, you can now update your supplies and shop locks anytime or anywhere on the internet.

Find on our page a great variety of locks, and add them to the basket. The delivery on orders placed before 3 pm should be made within the next-day depending on the volume of products.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY ARE PADLOCKS CALLED LIKE THAT?

The term comes from the late fifteenth century. The prefix pad has an unknown origin, but the lock comes from the old UK English, and it is related to the German word loch, which means hole.

WHAT SIZE PADLOCK DO I NEED?

Padlocks are often measured by their body size (width). They go from 50 mm to 80 mm.

ARE PADLOCKS EXPENSIVE?

No. You can order a padlock that costs only a few pounds, but it will not be excellent security if protecting anything of paramount value. For example, a higher security padlock starts the price from £25 and £60.

WHAT TYPE OF FACTORS DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN ORDERING A LOCK?

Here are some features to look after when buying a lock:

  • The material

  • The shrouded shoulders

  • The numbers of pins in the key

  • The removable core

  • The anti-drill plate

  • The lock size