The front door of a home protects the property from thieves while enhancing the appeal of your home. Technology is transforming how people access their homes. You no longer need to carry a bunch of keys as you go to work or hide them in a flower pot outdoors thanks to the smart locks. With only your smartphone, you can open and close your front door from anywhere, giving you more control in providing access to your home. The smart locks integrate with IoT (Internet of Things), allowing you to monitor every door access from your smartphone.
What Makes Smart Locks Popular Alternatives to Traditional Locks?
IoT is making homes more safe and secure. Homebuyers have access to security cameras, windows and door intrusion sensors, motion detectors, and doorbell cameras, making it easier to monitor every home access from anywhere. Smart locks add convenience and flexibility to your life, eliminating the challenges of the traditional lock and key unit. Depending on the type of smart lock, you can create temporary passwords for auxiliary services or give access remotely through apps. You do not have to provide appointments to cleaners when you are at home or risk the safety of your properties by putting keys in unsecured places.
Can Smart Locks Work With Sliding Doors?
If you have a sliding door that uses top mount barn door hardware, you can install a smart lock to add flexibility and convenience to the appeal of your home. Smart lock offers a lot of security and style to your home. You can close all your doors with a touch of a button while sitting on your bed. Almost everyone has traveled a distance from their home, only to get doubt whether you have locked the front door. On returning, you find you had locked the door. Smart locks give peace of mind, as you can check the doors’ status and lock them from a distance.
Which Technology Is Behind Smart Locks?
The real estate industry has seen a significant transformation over the last few years, thanks to IoT technology. Collaborations in the technology industry are creating smart technologies and digital cloud technologies that can help improve security. Samsung and Microsoft have announced a partnership that allows smart property management, improving building management and maintenance by providing remote assistance. Smart locks tap into the latest developments in IoT to develop reliable home lock systems. Some of the standard communication protocols that power smart locks include:
- Bluetooth
Bluetooth smart locks offer hands-free maintenance. The batteries can last one year or longer, giving you the flexibility to travel without worrying about charging the batteries on your door lock. The technology is smartphone compliant. A Bluetooth smart lock connects to your phone, eliminating the need to buy a translator hub device. Unfortunately, Bluetooth has a limited range of about 300 feet. You will only have access to your door if you are within the range.
- Z-Wave
Z-Wave smart locks rely on a compatible hub to translate the signal and send it to the router. You communicate with the lock through the router, enabling you to open and lock the door from anywhere. The standard range of a Z-Wave hub is about 120 feet, but you can use signal repeaters to increase the connectivity range up to about 600 feet. The hub allows you to connect your security system with other devices.
- Wi-Fi
Some smart locks come with Wi-Fi connectivity as an optional feature. They bring flexibility, allowing you to access and control your lock through the internet. With a Wi-Fi-enabled lock system, you can easily create new users, view the lock status, and lock and unlock the door remotely. It offers greater integration options. Nonetheless, you will have to stock up batteries, as Wi-Fi uses more power than Bluetooth.
Which Is the Best Smart Lock for Your Home?
The best smart lock for your home will depend on your budget and how you want to interact with the lock. Bluetooth-powered locks will only work if you are within the range of your home, while Wi-Fi and Z-Wave locks offer greater integration and flexibility to control your home lock system from anywhere. You also have to decide the preferred type of access. Most smart locks use keypad and combination locks, keyless, and biometric types of access.