A guide to smart locks

1. A guide to smart locks Smart home products have become a common sight in homes across the world. From smart heating to lighting, from appliances to security, smart gadgets have seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, giving us the ultimate convenience and control. In fact, recent statistics have revealed that by 2025, there will be 34.2 billion connected products across the globe1, a figure that has doubled from results collated in 2018. And one of the more prevalent products in the smart home market that has continued to grow in recent years is the introduction of smart locks. Allowing you to control your front door lock from your smartphone, smart locks have allowed homeowners to have complete control over their home security remotely. So, if you’re interested in finding out if a smart lock is right for you, check out our expert guide to smart locks to discover the options that are available and their different advantages. What is a smart lock? A smart door lock is a door lock which has built-in smart capabilities to allow for remote access and control over your front door. Whether that’s paired with a smartphone app, key card, key tag or key fob, a smart door lock essentially removes the need for a physical ‘key’ to make locking and unlocking your front door even easier. Some designs can also come with touchpads that require a key code to enter. With so many of us having to be out of the house for work and leaving it unoccupied in our spare time, having the ability to remotely control your home is a huge bonus. Whether that’s to let trusted family members into the home when you’re on holiday, or remotely giving access to a tradesperson when you’re in the office, there are plenty of handy benefits for installing a smart door lock. The intuitive functions of a smart lock make it a handy addition to make everyday life more convenient, but also allow for having complete control over your home security. Smart locks can either be Bluetooth enabled, which means they can only be controlled within a certain range or have Wi-Fi connectivity to allow for remote control. Whichever smart door lock option works for you, it’s recommended that you opt for a style that has an

2. activity log, so you can monitor the comings and goings of people entering and leaving your home. With the recent development in this type of technology, smart door locks can also come built in with a range of other key features. For example, these include door sensor technology, which shows the user if their door is closed securely and connectivity with smart brands, including leading voice assistants, to allow for convenient control over your front door. What are the advantages of smart locks? Smart door locks offer a wide range of benefits that have made them a popular addition to smart homes across the world. Of course, many people are still not 100% convinced on whether investing in a smart door lock is right for them. But it’s worth understanding their key benefits to work out if introducing one could be beneficial to you and your family. 1. Smart but simple As we’ve already highlighted, adding a smart lock to your home is a great way to make your front door security just that little bit easier and convenient. And although they’re generally referred to as ‘smart’ locks, they’ve been designed to make securing your home much simpler. They allow homeowners to easily grant entry, safely and securely, to anyone who needs to get into their home whilst they’re out and about, which is much easier than giving them a spare key and collecting it when they’re back. This simplicity is revolutionary and can save you time and provide the ultimate flexibility in how you secure your home. 2. Tailored to you From a key card to a key fob and, of course, your smartphone - a smart door lock allows you to choose the best way of opening your door and configure your locking system to suit you. For example, for children who don’t yet own a smartphone, they can have a key fob on a keyring to securely get into the home after school. And if they lose it? Well, this can easily be removed from your system to ensure the ultimate protection if it was to get into the wrong hands.

3. Having the ability to opt for the best entry accessory is a great advantage that other traditional door locking systems could never provide. 3. Stylish designs A door lock isn’t the most stylish accessory in your home, but smart locks have introduced a modern alternative where style is at the forefront of their design. With an array of options on the market today, you can opt for a smart door lock that suits your home’s aesthetic - whether that be modern, traditional or colourful. From a contemporary white shade for a monochromatic home, to a brass finish for classic properties, there’s a finish available to achieve your desired look. There’s also an array of options to suit different door types, whether that be UPVC, composite or wooden designs, so there will be a perfect product to best suit your door. 4. No slack on security And, most importantly, opting for high quality smart locks, particular those from trusted brands such as Yale, means that their door locks will offer a high level of security matched to that of traditional door locks. One particular way in which smart locks can even heighten your security is that it removes the need for spare keys. These can often go missing, be kept accidently by previous homeowners, or even get stolen, meaning they could be left in the wrong hands. As smart locks don’t have physical keys, this removes this worry immediately. You can grant and revoke keys with just the touch of a button, offering complete control over who has access to your home. When considering purchasing a smart lock, it’s important to recognise the brand in which you are purchasing from, as this can make a huge difference to the security of your door. Opting for a trusted brand, such as Yale, means you have the experience needed for a secure smart locking mechanism, so you can have peace of mind that your door is protected by the experts. Are smart door locks worth it?

4. So, after understanding the many advantages and benefits of a smart door lock, the question is, ‘are they really worth it?’. Well, it’s important to question your lifestyle and how necessary it is that you have convenience when it comes to your front door lock. Although smart door locks are still a great option if you spend most of your days at home, they are a perfect option for homeowners that live a busy lifestyle outside of the home. From granting virtual keys to remotely locking and unlocking your front door, there are plenty of benefits to investing in a smart lock if you’re wanting to step up your home security and create your own smart home. We’d recommend researching the range of smart locks out there on the market and understand exactly what you’re looking for in a product - whether that’s a stylish finish, heightened security or a particular opening mechanism. At Yale, we offer a range of smart door locks that will be suitable for your needs, but if you’re looking for more help and advice on whether a smart lock is right for you, be sure to explore our product pages. To know more: https://yaleonline.in/blogs/news/a-guide-to-smart-locks