A guide to smart locks

Here at Security Hardware, we’ve recently added a range of new smart security products to our portfolio, helping our customers to upgrade their home security the ‘smart’ way.

From security cameras that can be controlled via a smartphone, to smart alarms that allow homeowners to secure their property remotely, there are now an array of smart products available to make securing homes even easier and more convenient.

And one product category that is currently trending in the world of the smart home is smart locks. Offering a solution to the age-old question ‘have I locked my front door?’, a smart lock allows homeowners to control and monitor their front door from anywhere at any time.

Smart locks are a great addition to a modern family home, allowing homeowners to stay fully in control of their door security. So, to ensure you’re staying on top of the latest trending product in the smart home category, the experts here at Security Hardware have shared their expert guide to smart locks, so read on to find out more.

What is a smart lock?

A smart lock is a door lock that boasts a range of smart capabilities, allowing users to remotely control and monitor their door remotely.

Most high quality smart locks on the market remove the need for a physical key, allowing homeowners to be able to control their lock via an app, touchpad, key card, tag or fob. With an array of entry mechanisms available to suit a variety of preferences, smart locks have quickly cemented themselves as smart home gadget of choice for homeowners across the world.

Smart locks work through either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, and this does impact their functionality.

Bluetooth-enabled smart locks allow for control within a certain range, whilst Wi-Fi connected products allow for remote monitoring and control from anywhere at any time. Depending on the user’s needs, there are a range of smart locks suited to a variety of different requirements, making smart locks a handy addition to any smart security system.

What are the advantages of smart locks?

We continue to see homeowners across the world utilise smart locks, and it’s no surprise with their many benefits allowing users to have full control over their door security.

Some homeowners are still dubious over whether a smart lock will be right for them, but it’s worth understanding the range of advantages of smart locks to ease their concerns:

Convenience and control

As with most smart products on the market, they aim to make day to day life just that little bit easier and convenient. With remote control via a smartphone, connectivity and peace of mind all key benefits of smart products, the same can be said for smart locks.

Many of us lead busy lives where we must leave our homes empty for hours on end. So the convenience and control of a smart lock allows homeowners to not only check that their door is locked, but many designs also allow homeowners to remotely lock or unlock their door from afar.

Perfect if you want to let trusted family members into your home whilst you’re away, or simply to check the kids have arrived home safely from school, smart locks have that added level of control and reassurance that no traditional lock could offer.

Heightened security

Convenience has been one of the key drivers in the popularity of smart locks. But it’s also essential that these smart products provide the same level of security as a traditional door lock to ensure they are adopted by more homeowners in the future.

Smart locks from trusted brands in the security market will be tested to a high level to ensure they offer the necessary security for a home. With the recent popularity in the smart home, independent testing bodies have had to create a range of new tests and certifications to ensure that smart security products are up to scratch.

Smart locks can also offer heightened security for a home as they don’t require spare keys. These can often be misplaced or even left with the friends or family members of past tenants or homeowners, meaning there could be an array of people who have access to your home. Smart locks are secure in the fact that users can easily create and revoke keys, ensuring that users are always in control over who has access to their home.

For homeowners who are wanting to look at a smart lock in the future, we would always recommend opting for a product from a trusted brand or retailer. This ensures that not only will they have been tested to a high standard, but also provide peace of mind for homeowners.

Designed with you mind

Another great feature of a smart lock is that they are designed to be suited to the users needs.

Whether you’d like to open your door through the convenience of a smartphone app, or just simply using a key card in your wallet, a smart lock allows homeowners to always control their door lock in a way that suits their lifestyle or needs.

For example, if you have children that are old enough to walk home from school, but not yet responsible enough for their own house key, you can allow them to attach a key fob to a keyring so they can easily let themselves in after school.

And what’s even better – if the fob gets lost, this can quickly be revoked from your smart lock so you’re always in control over who has access to your home.

For a stylish home

And finally, one of the main benefits of a smart lock is that it provides a stylish addition to your front door.

With an array of styles and designs of smart locks now on the market, homeowners can opt for a smart lock that fits with their home interior design scheme, whether that be modern or traditional.

White and black smart lock finishes are available, which is the perfect addition to a monochromatic front door colour scheme, or a brass design would effortlessly fit in with traditional home décor.

With there being plenty of benefits of adding a smart lock to a home, it’s certainly a product category that shows no signs of slowing over the next few years.

And to explore our range of smart locks, or for more advice and support on the range of security solutions from Security Hardware, contact us via the enquiry form here, by phone on 01902 607232 or by visiting www.security-hardware.co.uk.