Smart Lock Installation Services
FAQs
Will my cylinder or deadbolt work with my smart lock?
In most cases, you will not need to make major changes to your door in order for it to be compatible with a smart lock installation. Most of the smart locks on the market are manufactured to work with existing deadbolts and cylinders.
There only has to be a few minor alterations made to the existing lock for it to work. However, many of the smart lock models are made to work solely with deadbolts and might not work with some integrated locks and handles as well as some mortise and rim cylinder locks.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, but most of the smart locks that are dominating the market are making use of the deadbolts that homeowners already have in place. If you do not have an integrated lock, and you have separate deadbolts and handles, then the old lock you have in place can be retrofitted to work with your new smart lock.
Will the smart lock have an alternative form of access?
Yes. Many of the smart locks that have become increasingly popular among homeowners have an alternative form of access, in case the smart lock becomes temporarily dysfunctional. There are instances where the battery within the smart lock might die while the homeowner is locked out.
To cater to instances like these, many of the smart locks are equipped with alternative traditional keyed entry methods so that homeowners can still gain access to their homes in the event that the smart lock is not working properly. This might be one of the smart lock features you want.
Can I operate the lock with my phone?
A smart lock is a lock you can open with your phone. A majority of the smart lock models that are being marketed to homeowners and commercial business owners are equipped to function with smartphones. There are some exceptions to this, and these are dependent on whether or not the homeowner’s smartphone is compatible with the smart lock that they have in place.
Smart locks aim to make the daily act of locking and unlocking doors more seamless and efficient while still maintaining a homeowner’s safety. In trying to do away with traditional keyed systems and implementing remote access from a smartphone, smart locks do not have most of the faults that regular key systems have.
Homeowners have the luxury of knowing that they can never again lose their house keys and that they can lock their homes from remote locations if they ever forget to lock it up behind them on their way out one day.
Are your locksmiths trained to install smart locks?
Yes! Our locksmiths are trained to help you with your smart lock installation. The nature of the locksmith industry is gradually changing, and as a result, we have to make sure that our technicians are up to speed on all these changes.
They know how to properly and professionally carry out a smart lock installation. A majority of the smart locks that are populating the industry come with their own sets of specific instructions, and our technicians have carried out many smart lock installations, so they know their way around your smart lock.
Will my door be damaged in the process of a smart lock installation?
No, the integrity of your door will not be compromised in the process of a smart lock installation. Most smart locks can be used with deadbolts that homeowners already have in place. If a deadbolt is not yet in place, then one can be installed so that the smart lock installation goes smoothly.
If your door has a separately installed deadbolt and a separately installed handle/knob set, then the knob set might have to be removed. This will depend on which smart lock you decide to install on the door of your home.
How long does a smart lock installation take?
The installation times for smart locks vary based on the type of smart lock that the homeowner wishes to install, and also on the type of lock that the homeowner already has in place. The installation time is much faster on doors that already have a Grade 1 deadbolt in place. This is because the new smart lock merely has to be incorporated into the deadbolt.
For those homes that do not have deadbolts, a deadbolt might have to be installed to make sure that the smart lock will work properly and efficiently.
Is a smart lock right for my home?
At this stage in their conception, smart locks are still finding their footing. It cannot be said just yet that they are the locks of the future. They are, without a doubt, innovative and groundbreaking, but many of them focus a lot on efficiency and connectivity rather than on making the lock a more secure mechanism and increasing your home security.
Before you purchase a smart lock that you want to be installed, be sure to talk to your locksmith so that they can properly advise you on the best lock to use. It is important that you understand the differences between smart locks and traditional locks.
Smart Locks
Many homeowners these days are considering a smart lock installation. Smart Locks were birthed from the need to make home security a more efficient well-oiled machine, and to make the integration of smart technology with everyday acts a possibility.
Smart locks have many perks that homeowners could take advantage of to make their lives much simpler. For instance, some smart locks are able to unlock the front door of your home when you are in close proximity.
It does this by picking up on the Bluetooth frequencies that your phone is emitting, and then it unlocks the door. In other cases, it gives homeowners the ability to give guests temporary keys while they (the homeowner) are still able to maintain key control over their home. Smart locks are undoubtedly breaking new ground as they hope to reinvent everything about home security.
Aside from the technological innovation that smart locks bring to the table, they are also designed to give homeowners a lock that feels and looks like the future is already here. Opting to undergo a smart lock installation is definitely something that many homeowners are taking advantage of now.
What Goes Into A Smart Lock?
There are many different variations to smart locks. However, most smart locks are made up of three basic components, which keep them running smoothly. These basic components are the wireless transceiver, the locking mechanism, and a motor, which engages or disengages the locking mechanism.
Each of these individual components is key to making sure that the smart lock is able to function properly. The wireless transceiver is the part of the lock that makes communication with other devices possible. These devices include smartphones and other automated home systems.
The locking mechanism is usually a Grade 1 deadbolt while the motor, which engages the deadbolt, normally runs on batteries that are placed in the lock. There are of course exceptions to this rule because there are few smart locks out there that do not employ the use of a deadbolt locking mechanism.
A good smart lock is not only judged by how efficient it makes the process of locking a door, but also by how secure it makes your home. This is the primary function of a simple door lock. On the outside, it seems like a mechanism that simply allows or bars entry, but it is a big part of home security. For that reason, its effectiveness is measured by how safe it can keep your home.
Wireless Transceiver
The wireless transceiver that is found in all smart locks is definitely a game-changer. These transceivers are part of the reason why smart locks make your home more secure. They allow you to control your smart lock from remote locations, and they also allow you to connect your smart lock to already existing home automation systems. As long as you have a Wi-Fi-enabled smart lock, you will have this ability.
Every homeowner knows that there are those forgetful days where you might leave your keys somewhere, or you might have locked them inside of your home. However, thanks to little additions like the wireless transceiver, those unfortunate incidents are all becoming things of the past.
Wireless transceivers make home automation come to life, and make it possible for homeowners to have control of their homes even when they are nowhere near them. Some of these locks access a homeowner’s wireless home network so that the homeowner will be able to control the lock remotely.
Deadbolt
In addition to the wireless receiver, and the motor that runs the smart lock, the deadbolt lock mechanism is also extremely important. When it comes to securing a residence, deadbolts are some of the most secure locks that homeowners can take advantage of. Deadbolts are classified by Grades, according to the ANSI (American National Standards Institute). These range from Grade 1 to Grade 3.
With Grade 1 being the strongest and highest rated deadbolt, and a Grad 3 being the lowest. It is advised that homeowners make use of Grade 1 deadbolts since these are shown to be the most resistant to forceful entry and traditional lock picking methods.
If your home is already making use of a Grade 1 deadbolt lock, then the only change that needs to be made would involve the smart lock installation. However, if you are not using Grade 1 deadbolt locks, a smart lock installation would provide you with the perfect time to upgrade the deadbolts on your doors.
Smart Lock Installation
Installing a smart lock for your home is an easy enough process to complete when you are utilizing the services of a professional locksmith. There are varying forms of smart locks, and each of these has its own unique traits.
This is why there is no universal installation process. But because most of these locks make use of the same basic components to allow them to function, it is possible to outline the general steps that are necessary to properly install a smart lock.
The first important thing that needs to be done is a compatibility check. In order for the smart lock installation to go smoothly, the existing lock needs to be checked for its compatibility with the smart lock that is being installed.
As stated above, deadbolt locks are compatible with most smart locks, while other integrated forms may, or may not, be suitable. The instruction manual for each specific smart lock will provide detailed information about which locks are compatible, and which ones are not.
If the lock that you already have in place is not compatible, then our locksmith will have to remove the lock you have and install a model that is compatible with the smart lock you wish to use. Once the correct deadbolt is in place, the next step in the smart lock installation process involves preparing the deadbolt for integration with your smart lock.
Since most smart locks are not designed the same, this step is unique to every single one. This process involves mounting the smart lock onto the door and through the deadbolt. Our locksmith will make sure that they examine the instruction manual so that they are using the correct mounting plate so that your lock works efficiently.
After the lock has been attached to the door, the next part that our locksmith will pay attention to is the motor of the lock. They will have to plug in the batteries and make sure that the lock is functioning the way it is supposed to.
The next step involves the homeowner installing the required application for their lock on their smartphone, or giving the smart lock access to your home’s wireless network. This is to ensure that the homeowner is able to unlock their door from their phone and also gain remote access if it is an applicable feature of their smart lock.
