Tips for buying a crossbar lock

Once you are clear about which type of crossbar lock you want to buy, the question often arises before purchase: what should I look out for when buying a crossbar lock or security bar? Here, too, we have put together a few tips to draw your attention to some important aspects.

1. Consider the features of your door

Before you buy a crossbar lock, you should first check whether it is suitable for your door. Especially if you want to buy, for example, a crossbar lock in Berlin, where there are many period buildings, you need to clarify beforehand whether the security bar is suitable at all. This is of course not just about whether it suits the look of your door, although you should not lose sight of this aspect entirely. Above all, you need to consider the width of the door and whether the security bar suits the door's dimensions. Many security bars are adjustable and cover a certain range of widths for which they can be used.

2. Workmanship and material of a security bar

As a security bar is designed to protect against forced entry and is exposed to considerable stress, you should make sure it is made from high-quality materials and is well made. When you buy a crossbar lock, it is best to make sure it is a tested product, which you can recognise, for example, by DIN standards and above all by the VdS mark. With VdS-verified products, you can be sure that both the materials and the workmanship are of top quality.

3. Consider other functions of the crossbar lock

If you want to buy a security bar, you should also ask yourself what other security measures you are planning and whether they are compatible with the crossbar lock you have chosen. Not all crossbar locks can be combined with a door guard, for example. Choosing the right bar becomes even more important if you use an alarm system. Security bars can be connected to an alarm system, but they must be designed for this. If you are unsure, you should seek advice from an expert. We at Fair Schlüsseldienst Berlin are also happy to help. In general, we recommend not resorting to cheap products. When it comes to security in particular, every euro invested is worth it, because only a truly robust and sturdy crossbar lock can really ward off the danger. It does not always have to be a security bar from a brand-name manufacturer, but if you opt for an unknown brand, it is better to get advice first.

4. Special case: fitting crossbar locks in rented flats

Many tenants who move into a new flat and wonder how to make their home more secure also ask whether fitting a security bar is permitted in a rented flat. As a general rule, you should clear all installation work in the flat with your landlord beforehand and obtain written consent. Fitting a crossbar lock, for example, involves drilling into the door leaf. This can cause problems when you move out at the latest, because the landlord is entitled to have the flat handed back in the condition it was in when you moved in. The landlord could therefore insist on the door being replaced if the installation of the security bar was not agreed beforehand. It is worth asking your landlord, though, as landlords also have an interest in the flat being secure. Seen this way, you have a good chance – and some landlords may even contribute to the costs.