Electronic & Keypad Locks

Smart Locks and Electronic Keypads

Keyless Entry Pros, Cons, and Best Sellers

One of the top calls a locksmith receives daily is for a lockout situation where someone has lost their keys and cannot get into their own home. Advancements in technology are changing this, however. In fact, you soon may be able to almost completely eliminate the need to carry a physical key at all. Today, you have several smart locks or electronic keypad locks from which to choose. Imagine being able to enter your home with just a push of a button. Some electronic locks don’t even require your need to remember a pass-code, as they use bio-metric scans of your fingerprint, retina, or face recognition. Essentially, you become the key to unlock your front door.

You probably understand how a basic key works with a pin tumbler or deadbolt lock. These locks have kept us safe for years with only a few drawbacks, one of which is when you lose the key. Electronic and key-less entry keypad locks allow you the freedom of never worrying again about losing your keys or the burden of carrying around a cumbersome key-chain. You simply enter a number code that can be changed whenever necessary or gain entry through use of a bio-metric code. These locks operate through the use of an electrical current or batteries.

Pros and Cons of Electronic & Keypad Locks

In addition to not having to keep track of a physical key, these electronic locks work great for allowing children to let themselves in after school or to assign a separate code for a dog walker or cleaning crew to use. Smart locks tend to be fairly easy to install and extremely easy to use. Most models light up for you to see more clearly in the dark, and they come in many different styles to custom design for personalized installation on your home and personal preferences.

In fact, there are so many benefits to using smart lock technologies that the only potential problems with using electronic locks are minimal, such as if an electrical circuit is interrupted or batteries wearing out and needing to be replaced. Depending on the model you choose, the bio-metric code could fail to be either too accepting or too exact. Thankfully, these issues generally tend to be rare. Though, with any technology, there is often a learning curve or time needed to adjust to a specific make, model, or design of the electronic keypad or smart lock technology. Just be sure to select a brand that offers reliable customer service, and it doesn’t hurt to have a knowledgeable and skilled locksmith on hand to call if you ever run into trouble.

Best selling smart locks and key-less entry options

Some of the best selling brands include August Smart Lock that is smart home compatible with Apple Home-Kit, Xfinity, and Nest. It connects through Bluetooth technologies and offers an optional number pad with unlimited code possibilities and a convenient app. It works as a deadbolt and offers a feature that automatically locks or unlocks the door when your arms are full and alerts you when you leave the door open. The model offers you the option of adding a keypad or a doorbell camera as well.

One of the best value electronic locks is the Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt. This lock offers top-notch security at a budget-friendly price. It is compatible with Alexa and comes with a number pad that offers up to 30 codes. Currently, there is not an app for this lock, but it can be connected for remote control through a smart home hub. It also offers the highest security ratings and sounds an ear-piercing alarm if someone tries to break in.

The Yale Real Living Key Free Touchscreen Deadbolt T1L is another very good option for a key-less entry lock. Besides its small, unobtrusive design, one of its nice features is that the lock can use a 9-volt battery for emergency access if the battery should fail. This lock is compatible with Alexa, Samsung Smart-things, and Wink and uses Z-Wave connectivity.

For bio-metric smart lock technology, ENTR from Mul-T-Lock allows you to use your fingerprint as your key. For backup, you can also use a key for or an app. This lock design will automatically lock if the door is closed for a few seconds, so you don’t even have to remember to lock up.

With so many options available to keep you and your home secure without the worry of ever losing your keys again, why not consider a smart lock or a key-less entry with an electronic keypad? Contact one of our local professional locksmiths to get started with selecting the best lock option for your specific needs and budget.

The most important quality to look for when installing new locks is security. Of course, how the lock works and functions, as well as the cost, is important as well. When it comes to locks, some of the brands have made a name for themselves in terms of quality and performance. Here are some great tips on what to look for when choosing the best locks brands.

Locks are graded on a system known as ANSI The American National Standards Institute. ANSI established three grades for door locks to help identify the quality and durability of locksets and deadbolts. Each lock must pass operational and security tests which are comprised of cycles, door strikes, and weight tests. Grade 1 is the best and highest grade security available, Grade 2 is better, with Grade 3 being Good.

Deadbolts provide the highest level of security for residential doors. They are named, “dead' because they do not contain springs. They contain either a single-cylinder operated with a key from the outside and a turn button on the inside or as a double-cylinder that has a key on both sides and are highly secure but also pose potential safety issues when a quick emergency exit is necessary.

Some of the best lock brands available are:

Yale

In Europe, Yale locks have a name that is synonymous with all brands of locks, much like Kleenex is in the US. Yale locks are widely considered to be the creators of modern day pin tumbler locks.  All other pin tumbler style locks are based upon the work and design of Linus Yale, Jr. and Henry R. Towne. The locks are well constructed and are often sold with two or more spool pins.

Corbin Russwin

Corbin Russwin offers locks brands that are known for their durability and strength, making them ideal for commercial grade facilities and schools or other high traffic institutions. These locks are easy to service and replace.

Mul-T-Lock

The Mul-T-Lock brand is trusted for the strength of the silhouette's bicep flex design, which creates a very secure lock that is difficult to pick.

RR Brink

The RR B Brink brand is the most trusted brand of lock and is used on the highest security locks, like prisons. The lock is a large mortise cylinder.

Medeco

Medeco locks brands are a very trusted brand as they offer ten locking systems that offer an environmentally friendly CEF Certified Environmental Facts multi-attribute certification. Medeco also offers eCylinder and wireless locking systems.

Schlage

Schlage is a well-known lock brand among locksmiths. They offer both keyless entries and keyed locks. They are a leader in the industry, known for their lock security solutions for home and office needs. Schlage locks are readily available in most home improvement stores. They provide a sturdier construction and are harder to pick or bump than the cheapest brands, though they are only slightly more expensive.

Kwikset

Kwikset locks brands offer a SmartKey technology which allows you to re-key your lock yourself, making it appealing for rental properties and businesses where locks changes are often needed. Kwikset locks are on almost every door in the United States. Their standard lock is the most affordable lock brand available, which is easy on the pocket book but not necessarily the smartest security move. These locks are typically the easiest to pick or bump open.

Arrow

Arrow locks brands place a strong emphasis on security while keeping their locks affordable with professional-grade engineering. They are specifically designed for security professionals. Their locks are often used in schools, universities, libraries.

Sargent

Sargent locks brands are known to be very secure and are used in schools and hospitals where there are high traffic and a high need for security. They offer key-less entry, fobs, keypad locking systems, and keyed entries.

Kaba Ilco

This company offers an all-inclusive electronic key card system and mobile access solutions. Homeowners as well as apartment complexes, rental vacation property owners often turn to this brand as their first option.

Baldwin

Baldwin Locks brands are available at most home improvement stores. It is a trusted brand that is decent quality, designed with solid construction. Baldwin makes strong locks with solid construction and thick enough to withstand bumping break-in attempts. A reliable lock can also be aesthetically pleasing to match your home design style. Baldwin offers traditional and contemporary hardware options that complement the look of your home or office while giving you peace of mind for security with knobs, key-less entry, levers, pocket door locks and deadbolt options.

Falcon

Falcon locks brands are found in high-level security buildings, like the White House, prisons, and the Pentagon. With a focus on functionality, Falcon offers automatic door locks, touch bar exits.

Adams-Rite

Adams-Rite offers locking systems that are ready for industrial environments. They offer an electrified strike and latch, eLatch, and electric door locking systems that ensure high levels of security with ease of control.

Your security rests on the quality of your locks. Find out which brand of lock is best for your needs by contacting a qualified and knowledgeable locksmith today!