SKG locks explained: what the stars mean for your Amsterdam front door
SKG locks are locks, cylinders and door fittings that have been tested by the Dutch certification body SKG for resistance against burglary tools and carry a mark with one, two or three stars; more stars means the product held out longer against an attack.
Look at the cylinder in your front door or at the metal plate around it. There is a fair chance you will find a small shield with stars on it. That is the SKG mark, the quickest way to judge how much resistance your door puts up against a burglar. This blog explains what SKG locks are, what the stars stand for and how to check your own door in Amsterdam.
What SKG is
SKG is the Dutch certification body for hardware on doors and windows. Locks, cylinders, handles, hinges and fittings are attacked there with the tools burglars actually use: screwdrivers, drills, pliers and pulling tools. A product that survives a defined period of attack earns a star rating, stamped on the product itself.
One, two or three stars
- One star: basic resistance. The product slows down an opportunist for a short time. Fine for an inside door or a shed, not for the front door of a home.
- Two stars: standard resistance for a home. This is the minimum level the Dutch police safety mark (Politiekeurmerk Veilig Wonen) uses for outside doors.
- Three stars: heavy resistance against a longer, more professional attack. The choice for a front door on the street in Amsterdam, a ground floor flat or a home that has been burgled before.
The stars apply to the combination on your door, not to one part. A three star cylinder behind a one star fitting is still a weak door. That is why SKG locks are usually upgraded as a set: cylinder, security plate and sometimes the lock case.
How to check your own door
Stand outside and look at the cylinder and the plate around the handle. The SKG shield is on the front of the security plate or on the face of the cylinder. No shield usually means an older, uncertified lock; one star means it is time to think about an upgrade.
Also check whether the cylinder sticks out from the plate. A cylinder that protrudes is easy to grip and snap, whatever the star rating says.
When an upgrade makes sense
You do not need three stars on every door. The ones that matter are a front door on the street, a door onto a shared hallway, a basement door and a back door out of sight from the street.
If any of those still has an uncertified lock, upgrading to SKG locks is one of the most effective things you can do for your home. The lock security page explains which upgrades we carry out.
What we do
Locksmith Amsterdam assesses your doors on site, tells you which lock or fitting is the weak point and replaces it with a product that fits your door. You hear the price before we start and we confirm it when we arrive. Our lock replacement service covers cylinders, lock cases and security fittings.
Frequently asked questions
What does SKG stand for?
SKG is the Dutch certification body that tests locks, cylinders and door fittings for burglary resistance. Certified products carry a mark with one, two or three stars.
Is a three star lock always better than a two star lock?
It resists a longer attack. Worth it for a front door on the street or a ground floor flat; for a door inside a locked building two stars is often enough.
Where do I find the SKG stars on my door?
On the face of the cylinder or on the security plate around the handle. If you cannot find a shield with stars, the lock is probably not certified.
Do I have to replace the whole lock to get SKG stars?
Usually not. In most cases the cylinder and the security plate are replaced and the lock case stays in the door.
Does Locksmith Amsterdam fit SKG locks?
Yes. Call +31 (0)20 210 1986, describe your door and you hear what an upgrade involves, with the price confirmed before we start.
Want to know how your door scores? Call Locksmith Amsterdam on +31 (0)20 210 1986. We check your locks on site, day or night, and confirm the price before we start.
