Smart locks were once an item only in commercial properties with high security structures. However, technological advancements have now allowed for the integration of smart lock systems into residential buildings. In fact, smart locks do a lot more than allow you to lock and unlock your door without a traditional key. In addition to the automation and convenience they provide, they also let you track entry and exit logs at your abode in real time.

Smart lock types vary, depending on the specific need you hope to satisfy. The common types include:

Mobile Devices

Smartphones and tablets are commonly used these days, and in just a little time they may totally replace the traditional set of keys. Select models are now enabled with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options. Bluetooth is a common smart lock protocol because it does not drain the battery as quickly as Wi-Fi does. However, its downside is that you have a limited range of access – around 300ft in the best case scenario, and it could be even less depending on the layout of your apartment. On the other hand, Wi-Fi allows you to send signals through from far away distances, so long as there is an internet connection.

Radio-frequency Identification (RFID)/Key Fob

This security protocol is a popular feature in communal buildings and for remote access to car doors. Their level of popularity has grown so much that most modern car owners only make use of this method for the locking and unlocking of doors. Luckily, this feature is now available for smart homes too, allowing for automatic opening of the door with just a touch or tap.

Biometrics

Biometric scanners are commonly used in areas with high levels of security. One or more unique biological traits are used to gain access through the lock system. In the past, Iris scanners have been used in high security areas. However, fingerprint scanners are now a more cost effective option – and they are now available in smart homes today. Applying this security method to your home will ensure you never lose your keys, as access would be at your fingertips.

The Bottom Line

Since not all smart locks function similarly, it would be ideal to define what you need so you can determine the best lock for your smart home. Whatever the case, our locksmiths at Tucson Locksmith 24 are just a phone call away. We are experts in handling and installation of smart lock systems – and you can count on us to provide the best fit for your home security and décor.

When it is back to school time, your safety concerns turn to those of your children who may be getting off of a school bus while you are still at work and need to let themselves in. Keypad door lock for your back-to-school kids is a smart choice. It means your child will not ever have to worry about losing a key, and it adds extra safety and security to your home.

Benefits Of A Keypad Door Lock For Your Back-To-School Kids

Trusting your child with a key can create security issues for your child and your family. Not only is a child likely to lose a key but having a key makes would-be thieves notice and possibly attempt to steal the key for someone to use or duplicate for later use. Also, locks that use keys are typically easier to pick or bump open with a break-in attempt. There are additional benefits to using a keypad instead of a traditional key.

Convenience

When you leave your home, you don’t need to find your key to lock it. A keyless entry system will automatically lock behind you as you close the door. And, don’t worry about trying to find your key to have in hand to open your doors. Don’t worry about a key at all. All you have to do is remember a code which can be changed as needed.

Scheduled Controls

If you’re worried about your child remembering the code, some keypad door locking systems allow you to schedule times when the doors should be locked or unlocked. This allows you to have full control over when your doors are locked and when they are open.

Added Safety and Security

When your and your child’s schedules collide, and you are not there when your child arrives home from school, you have the peace of mind knowing that your child will not be locked out of the house waiting for you to arrive at risk for strangers passing by and taking advantage of their predicament. Keypad door locks do away with the need for your child to keep track of a house key. When they come home from school, they are able to let themselves in even if you are not there. A keyless entry system also allows extra security when you have young children or a special needs child who would be in danger if they were to open the doors from the inside. As soon as your child is inside, the locks close behind you keeping them safe and secure inside.

Durable

A traditional lock and key system wears down and eventually stops working properly after frequent, everyday use which can make it difficult for little hands to open or may even cause a key to break off inside the keyhole leaving the child stuck outside.

When it’s back to school time, it’s time to look into a keypad door lock for your back-to-school kids. Contact a qualified locksmith professional today who can walk you through which keyless entry is best for your family and will be able to install it on the spot or at your convenience.

The FBI reports that 60% of home and office break-ins occur with use of force. Take the extra secure step on your home or office doors by having deadbolt locks that provide extra strength when kicked or slammed during an attempted break-in. A deadbolt provides you with an extra step of safety by adding another point of security, and when it comes to burglars, even seconds that cause of delay can mean the difference between them finishing their break-in attempt or finding another victim. Doors usually come standard with a locking system that has a spring inside the handle. Adding a deadbolt provides extra safety measures that prevents break-ins.

The term “dead” bolt means that the part of the lock that extends into the door frame, the bolt, cannot be manually pushed back into the door like the common spring latch can. The bolt in a deadbolt lock can’t be forced open once it is closed, so it is said to be “dead” when it is in the locked position.

The three main parts of a deadbolt lock are:

1. Key-accessible cylinder on the outside
2. Throw or bolt that slides in and out of the door jamb
3. Thumb turn that allows for manual control of the bolt from the inside

Deadbolt Lock Types

There are two main types of deadbolt lock cylinders. Single cylinder deadbolts are the most commonly used. They operate with a twist knob on the inside of the door and have a keyhole on the outside. These are really secure in most cases, though if you have a glass panel door, the glass may be broken to gain access to the inside knob that turns the deadbolt making it less secure when installed on glass panel doors. To remedy this situation, double cylinder deadbolts require a key to operate the lock from both the outside and inside of the door, making it near impossible to break open even if a crook has broken the glass on the glass panel door. However, some fire codes do not allow double cylinder locks because of safety concerns in the case of an emergency where you need to quickly exit only to encounter a lock that requires a key to escape.

Deadbolt locks also have two types of bolts, referred to as the throw. There is a horizontal and a vertical throw. On the standard horizontal throw, the bolt extends one inch beyond the edge of the door into the door jamb.

High Security Deadbolt Lock

Even though deadbolts provide an added layer of security from break-in attempts, sometimes a technique called lock bumping allows a burglar to pick the deadbolt lock. Consider this when selecting your deadbolt lock. Some systems offer a special cylinder and high-security box strike plate that is highly resistant to picking and bumping attempts. Also, the door itself and the door frame play a part in how secure your home or office will be.

Of course, even the most secure deadbolt locks won’t provide the safety you need if you forget to remove your key, and leave it for anyone to use, or if you turn the lock halfway thinking it’s fully engaged. Remedy the latter problem by having a twofold chamber deadbolt, and always ask to have the door jamb secured by fortifying the strike plates with longer screws mounted into wall studs or consider a digital deadbolt lock. The vertical throw, also called a surface mounted deadbolt, engages by interlocking with a set of cast metal rings that are affixed to the frame of the door making it almost impossible to pry open.

Take the extra step to a more secure lock today by calling a licensed locksmith who will install deadbolt locks for you in a hurry!