Steel thickness, capacity, and lock types are among the features you look for in a fire resistant and burglary resistant safe. Aside from these, you will also see some advertisements highlighting a safe’s hinges among its features, so you might start to consider them as well. 

There are two types of hinges frequently used for safes. A vault might either have the internal or concealed type, or the external kind.

Companies selling safes with concealed hinges claim that their product is better because it provides a higher security level. In contrast, businesses that sell safes with external hinges talk about how their safe gives you greater accessibility. From the perspective of security, if the safe is made of quality parts, to begin with, the type of hinge matters less.

Say, for example, that a burglar attempts to get inside a Hollon EMP-6333. He can spend all day trying to work the hinges off, but he would not make even a dent. The hinge is not the only thing responsible for keeping the vault secure. Instead, what’s working for it is the quarter-inch armor plate on the door and the multiple layers of steel and concrete aluminum mixture that make up the rest of the build. 

Why do hinges matter then?

Hinges are not useless; we are not saying that we should eliminate them. These provide accessibility; an external hinge, in particular, lets you open the door all the way. This is a main feature among Hollon gun safes.

Other brands use internal hinges, but these are not as effective. Aside from not opening completely, inner joints are also less secure. If you have access to one, open the door, place your hand on the hinge, and follow it around to the inside. 

You would feel with your hand that there is no fireproofing at the attachment point of the hinges. This area is vulnerable to fire, and your entire safe becomes a liability in the case of a fire. Companies like these would often claim that the safe can withstand a decent amount of time; it is under the fireproofing standard of 90 minutes, but it can hold up well. 

However, would you risk your valuables on the off-chance that a fire will rage for less than an hour? If you’re already spending on a fireproof safe, get your money’s worth and go for brands with quality hinges.

Why choose Hollon Safes from Allied Lock and Door?

Hollon vault hinges do not sag, and they take more steel to produce. Smaller, lesser-quality hinges use hinge caps to appear more secure. A hinge cap is easy to spot; if your safe has adjustable joints, you can be sure that it is smaller than the standard.

When the hinges sag, the door will begin to stick. This stickiness makes it hard to open and close; you might even have to lift the handle when opening your vault. You won’t have these problems with Hollon. 

Conclusion

In summary, you should think about how your hinges affect your safe. Don’t just look for a streamlined look; choose a safe that will hold up to fires and theft. This way, you know you’re getting what you paid for, and you’re surely keeping your valuables away from harm.
For safes and hinges that you can trust, get in touch with Allied Lock and Door. We are a Cincinnati safe and lock company offering the highest quality protection since 1981. Contact us today to learn more!