Quick answer: a smart lock (or digital lock) opens your door with a code, a tag, a fingerprint or your phone instead of a key. Every one we fit still has a backup way in, most work fine without WiFi, and a WiFi model with a gateway lets you unlock and manage codes from anywhere. We fit McGrath, Lion Head, Lockton, Carbine, Lockwood and Yale, in that order of how often.
People ask us about smart locks for two reasons: they’re sick of keys, or they need to let other people in without handing out keys. Both are good reasons. Here’s what the locks actually do, in plain terms, and what to think about before choosing one.
How you get in
PIN code. Type a code on the keypad. The simplest, and what most people end up using every day. Codes can be changed in a minute and you can have several.
Tag or card. Tap a small fob or card to the lock. Good for kids and for anyone who doesn’t want to remember a code. Carbine’s PIN-plus-tag models are popular for this.
Fingerprint. Touch the reader. Quick, but not every finger reads well every time, so it’s best as one option alongside a code.
Phone. Bluetooth models unlock when your phone is near; WiFi models unlock from anywhere through the app.
Key. Nearly all of them keep a mechanical key override, and every lock we fit has a backup way in. We show you how it works before we leave.
Do you need WiFi?
Not unless you want to unlock the door or change codes while you’re away from the house. A lock without WiFi works by code, tag, fingerprint or Bluetooth just as well; you just manage it at the door or within phone range. If you want remote access, Lion Head’s WiFi models need a small gateway hub inside the house, which we set up on the day.
What happens when the batteries die
Most locks warn you for weeks first, with a beep or a light. If you ignore it, there’s a mechanical key, and many locks have contacts on the outside where you can touch a 9-volt battery to power them up for one more open. Change the batteries when it first warns you and it’s a non-issue.
Which lock for which situation
Family home. A keypad lock with a tag option, so the kids tap in and the adults use a code.
Rental or Airbnb. A keypad lock with multiple time-limited codes, and WiFi if you’re not nearby. See smart locks for short-term rentals.
An older parent or someone with limited hand movement. A tag or fingerprint lock removes the small-key problem. See smart locks for people with disabilities.
Small business. One code or tag per person, deleted when they leave. That does the job without handing out keys.
The brands we fit
In the order we fit them most: McGrath, Lion Head, Lockton, Carbine, Lockwood and Yale. We fit these because we know how they behave on Perth doors, we can get parts, and they hold up. The models, photos and what each does are on the digital and smart locks page.
Will it fit my door?
Most timber and aluminium entry doors, yes, often into the existing lock cut-out. Some security screen doors, yes, depending on the frame. Send us a photo of the door and the current lock and we’ll tell you what fits before you buy anything.
Common questions
Are smart locks secure?
The ones we fit are at least as secure as the key lock they replace, and they remove the two biggest weaknesses of keys: copies you don’t know about and the spare under the pot.
Can I still use a key?
Yes on nearly every model, and every lock we fit has a backup way in that we show you on the day.
Do I need an app?
No. A keypad or tag lock works without a phone at all. The app is only for remote access and managing codes from a distance.
How long do the batteries last?
Typically many months of normal use, and the lock warns you before they run out.
Thinking about a smart lock?
Call 0427 580 823Send an enquiry
Coastal homes: North Beach.