ASSA ABLOY
SCHLAGE
KWIKSET
YALE
FALCON
BALDWIN
WEISER
EMTEK
OMNIA
Valli & Valli
MEDECO
MUL-T-LOCK
SARGENT
BEST
Corbin Russwin
Adams Rite
Marks USA
Securitron
SALTO
Von Duprin
DETEX
Jackson
LCN
RIXSON
Norton
DoorKing
HAGER
STANLEY
FOLGER ADAM
RCI
TRINE
LOCKNETICS
HES
GLENZAN
JECURITRON
ARROW
LATCH
SEGAL
ILCO
HAFELE
IVES
Master Lock
DORMA
Securitron leads the market in magnetic locks and access-control power supplies. We install Securitron maglocks, touch sensors, and electronic locking solutions.…
At Nova Locksmith NYC, we understand that a lock is more than just a piece of hardware—it’s the first line of defense for your family, your business, and your peace of mind. That’s why we partner exclusively with the most trusted, innovative, and security-focused brands in the world.
Serving Manhattan, the five boroughs, and surrounding areas with premium, rapid-response solutions, our expertise ensures that the high-quality lock you choose is installed perfectly to provide maximum protection.
While these locks have their place, it’s essential to understand their limitations. We refer to Grade 3 hardware as Basic Deterrence.
Best Suited For: Interior doors, utility closets, sheds, or residential applications in exceptionally low-risk areas. They are not recommended for main entry doors in NYC.
The Insecurity Reality: These locks offer minimal resistance to professional and even amateur thieves. They are easily compromised by the most common break-in methods:
Lock Bumping: A simple, readily available key (a ‘bump key’) can be used to bypass the lock cylinder in seconds with a single tap.
Basic Picking: With minimal training, a burglar can often manipulate the internal pins and open the lock quickly.
Physical Attack: The materials used are often softer than Grade 1 hardware, making the lock more susceptible to drilling, prying, and kicking the door open.
Key Control Problem: Keys for these locks can be copied instantly at any supermarket or big-box store, meaning there is no control over who has access to your property once a key leaves your sight.
This category represents a vital step up in both performance and security. We classify Grade 2 hardware as Reliable Commercial Defense.
Best Suited For: Standard commercial doors, high-traffic apartment building entrances, interior office doors, or medium-security residential applications where durability is key.
Performance & Durability: Grade 2 hardware is rigorously tested to withstand significantly higher operational cycles than Grade 3 locks. This means they are built with better components that resist wear and tear, making them ideal for doors that are opened and closed dozens or even hundreds of times a day.
Security Features: While not offering the advanced protection of high-security locks, Grade 2 hardware provides moderate resistance to physical attack and forced entry. They use tougher materials and better internal construction to resist prying, kicking, and minor drilling attempts better than basic Grade 3 locks.
The Compromise: While highly durable, most standard Grade 2 locks still lack restricted key control and may be vulnerable to advanced non-invasive attacks like sophisticated picking or lock bumping, depending on the specific manufacturer and cylinder type.
Best for: NYC residential apartment doors, commercial storefronts, businesses, and anywhere maximum security is required.
Key Features:
Drill & Pick Resistance: Utilizes hardened steel inserts and complex internal mechanisms (like rotating pins or sidebars) to defeat common break-in tools.
Restricted/Patented Key Control: Keys can only be duplicated by an authorized locksmith (like Nova Locksmith NYC) upon presentation of a specific card or signature, preventing unauthorized key copies.
Bump Resistance: Internal designs are specifically engineered to defeat the lock bumping technique
ASSA ABLOY
SCHLAGE
KWIKSET
YALE
FALCON
BALDWIN
WEISER
EMTEK
OMNIA
Valli & Valli
MEDECO
MUL-T-LOCK
SARGENT
BEST
Corbin Russwin
Adams Rite
Marks USA
Securitron
SALTO
Von Duprin
DETEX
Jackson
LCN
RIXSON
Norton
DoorKing
HAGER
STANLEY
FOLGER ADAM
RCI
TRINE
LOCKNETICS
HES
GLENZAN
JECURITRON
ARROW
LATCH
SEGAL
ILCO
HAFELE
IVES
Master Lock
DORMA
When securing a property in New York City, your security needs often exceed standard residential requirements. Choosing the right manufacturer is about balancing physical strength, key control, and operational convenience.
Here is a deeper look at the industry titans and how they serve the unique demands of the five boroughs:
These brands are the ultimate defense against both forced entry and non-invasive bypass techniques (picking, bumping). They are the standard for high-security applications, backed by strict key policies.
Core Strength: Medeco is often considered the gold standard for physical brute strength. Their Maxum deadbolts are engineered with hardened steel inserts and components that resist drilling and prying, consistently ranking as one of the most physically durable locks available. They are often UL 437 listed for high security.
Key Control: Utilizes unique lifting, rotating, and tilting pins inside the cylinder, making them extremely difficult to pick. Their patented key systems ensure key blanks are only available to authorized dealers, giving you control over who can copy a key.
Ideal for NYC: Residential apartment doors and commercial entryways where deterring a physical attack is the top priority.
Core Strength: A global leader known for innovative cylinder technology. Mul-T-Lock’s Hercular deadbolt is extremely robust and often ranked just below Medeco in terms of raw physical strength.
Key Control: Features a unique “telescopic pin” design with three locking technologies in one cylinder. They offer arguably the most rigorous key control system in the industry, requiring an authorized magnetic strip order card to be presented to a certified locksmith (like Nova Locksmith NYC) for any duplication.
Ideal for NYC: Commercial businesses, multi-family housing, and high-security residences prioritizing an uncompromising and verifiable key control system.
These powerhouses excel at large-scale, integrated access solutions that combine mechanical security with electronic convenience.
Core Strength: These two global conglomerates represent the cutting edge of total door opening solutions. They own many sub-brands, allowing them to offer a massive range of products from simple mechanical cylinders to complex electromechanical systems.
Integrated Access: They excel in electronic access control (EAC), keypads, and sophisticated master key systems designed for managing hundreds of employees or tenants across large facilities. Solutions include wireless locks, programmable key systems (like ASSA ABLOY’s CLIQ), and cloud-based management platforms.
Ideal for NYC: Office buildings, hospitals, large retail chains, and apartment complexes that require a tiered, flexible, and centrally managed security and access system.
These brands provide Grade 1 rated security you can trust, with a strong focus on modern convenience and residential style.
Core Strength: Schlage is a recognizable name providing rock-solid reliability. Their B600 and B660 series deadbolts are consistently ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certified, meaning they meet the highest standards for resistance to kick-ins and forced entry.
Security Features: They often include features like anti-pick shields, hardened steel roll pins, and reinforced strike plates anchored by 3-inch screws to the door frame.
Smart Integration: Schlage is a top leader in the smart lock market (e.g., Schlage Encode Plus), offering Wi-Fi connectivity, keyless key-pad entry, and integration with major smart home platforms for remote access management.
Core Strength: One of the oldest and most trusted lock brands globally, Yale’s modern focus is on highly reliable, aesthetically pleasing smart locks.
Smart Integration: The Yale Assure Lock series provides a sleek, key-free appearance and is known for its excellent integration with platforms like Google Home and Apple HomeKit. This is ideal for NYC property owners or hosts (like Airbnb) who need to issue and revoke access codes instantly.
Security Note: Yale smart locks are built to the same demanding security and durability standards as their traditional hardware, offering a high-security shell with modern functionality.
Even the best lock fails if poorly installed. Our 24/7 technicians are experts in proper alignment and reinforcement, ensuring your chosen hardware performs exactly as designed.
We specialize in creating cohesive master key and access control systems using these top brands for large residential buildings or commercial complexes.
Ready to secure your space or need urgent assistance? We’re just a phone call or email away.
At Nova Locksmith NYC, we’re not just unlocking doors—we’re delivering peace of mind.
