The safety of your household and property is greatly determined by the type of locks that you install on your doors. At the moment, keyless doors are the in-thing due to the great convenience that they accord you. They enhance your home’s aesthetics besides increasing its value significantly. These locks use biometrics, digital keypads, or even your smartphone to grant access.
Just like it is the case with other home improvement projects, you need to have a well-thought out strategy before you install a keyless door lock. This project may seem daunting but nonetheless, there are several tips that come in handy. Here’s how to choose the most suitable keyless entry locks for your doors.
Style Matters
While looking for a keyless lock, you should approach it just like any other important interior design task. For this reason, you need to factor in your home’s overall theme and design when choosing a keyless lock. Consider the design used on the door that the lock will be fitted on to ensure that it won’t look out of place upon installation. Ask yourself whether the lock that you wish to install highlights the uniqueness and differences of your home’s doors. This will help you settle on the most appropriate keyless door lock.
Security
Home owners are increasingly opting to replace traditional door locks with keyless door locks since they guarantee better door security. The front door in particular, needs a foolproof lock that cannot be compromised by malicious individuals. Keyless doors locks are only as useful as the level of security that they offer you. This highlights why you should consult a specialist before buying a keyless door since he/she will help you choose a lock that delivers on both security and functionality.
Most keyless door locks in the market come with an array of added security features. These include anti-tamper lockout, which helps restrict entry after a stipulated number of failed key-in attempts. The locks also have an adjustable code length and a quick lockout option that comes in handy during emergencies. Some even allow you to delete user codes using a master code besides offering multiple access modes, which include a PIN followed by smartcard access.
Convenience
Keyless door locks are designed to not only secure your property bit also grant you convenient access. In this regard, you should choose a door that offers you great convenience in the sense that it is compatible with your door design. It should also be compatible with an array of locking devices such as cylindrical latches, dead latches, deadbolts, and exit devices. A good keyless device doesn’t require the installation of expensive add-ons to function well.
For convenience purposes, you also need to consider locks that have extra features such as time-determined locking and opening schedules. This gives you strict control over who can access your house, and at what time. Such a feature also saves you time that you would otherwise have spent walking around the house to ascertain that all doors are locked. Smartphone compatibility is another extra feature to consider since it will allow you to close or open your door remotely thus ensuring your convenience.
Cost
Ultimately, the type of keyless door lock that you will end up with is determined by your budget. Contrary to what many people think, you can still get a high-quality and easy to use keyless lock at an affordable price. Besides considering the cost of purchase, you should also look out for a lock that is relatively easy to fit and maintain. Besides this, a good lock ought to allow retrofitting. This gives you an opportunity to upgrade from a conventional mechanical door with relative ease.
It is advisable to choose battery-powered keyless entry locks since they require minimal maintenance. Once installed, these locks do not require additional wiring as it is the case with those that are electric-powered. Battery-powered locks guarantee easy access even during power outages, which may not be the case with electric door locks. For optimal convenience, you should strongly consider keyless entry locks that feature mechanical locks. This comes in handy when the lock jams.
Durability
This is one of the key characteristics that you should consider regardless of which lock type you are buying. When buying keyless entry locks, consider the fact that they will constantly be exposed to the elements. Therefore durability is an issue of great concern since you need a lock that can withstand extensive use and weather exposure for years without malfunctioning.
Unlike traditional mechanical door locks which often get worn out fast and malfunction due to heavy use, keyless locks last longer. They do not endure constant friction and wear and tear caused by the insertion and turning of keys. You only need to press buttons located on the keypad to either lock or close your doors. Even so, you still need to find a lock that can withstand the repetitive punching of its keypad.
Child Safety
The additional safety of your kids ought to be considered when purchasing a keyless entry lock. The presence of a keyless lock eliminates the need for the young ones to walk around with the house keys when you are not there. Therefore, you should ensure that the lock chosen guarantees the safety of your kids and that it offers an additional safety blanket especially during situations that requires you to keep them inside the house and out of harm’s way. This will prevent them from departing the house and wandering off.
Ease of Use
The most suitable keyless entry lock is on that is easy to use. You don’t want to get caught up in a storm outside your house simply because you can’t figure out how to open your locked door. Choose a lock that has an easy to use user interface. Its instructions should also be easy to decipher. This allows you to enter and leave your house without any trouble. A complex-looking keyless lock may look stylish but nonetheless, it may not be the best choice for you.
Warranties
Unlike traditional locks, most keyless locks come with warranties against manufacturers’ defects. Be keen on warranties offered by different manufacturers since it helps you save money in the long run especially when your lock malfunctions. A warranty will cover all replacement costs without requiring you to incur extra out-of-pocket expenses. It similarly guarantees that the keyless door lock under consideration is of exceptional quality.
You need to secure your home at all times. The aforementioned tips can help you purchase a keyless entry lock that will serve you for years without any issues. Before settling on a particular lock, it is advisable to seek the advice of locksmiths and those who have installed keyless locks at their premises. Such individuals can recommend the highest quality brands to you.
Your needs and budget at hand will go a long way in determining the kind of lock that you buy. Being a long-term home improvement project, installing a keyless entry lock costs a significant amount. Therefore, it is imperative that you draw a budget for the project.
To get a keyless entry system for your home or office, contact Access Locksmith in Charlotte, NC.
