Until 10 years ago, the security of our homes was mainly a simple lock and a metal key but with smart locks now available people wonder if they provide better security than traditional locks.
Traditional Locks
Doorknob Locks, Deadbolt Lock, Mortise Lock and Yale Night Latch are the most common types found on house doors. These locks have been around now for decades and they offer a simple method for protecting your home. The security level of traditional locks can range significantly based on the type and quality of the lock.
For example doorknob locks are very popular but they are also known for being relatively quite easy to break into, deadbolt locks have the same issue but it can be reduced with anti pick and anti bump versions.
Mortise locks are another option and while people might think they are more secure because of their complex internal mechanisms they share the same vulnerabilities. When choosing a traditional lock it is important to consider a high security level one, ANSI Grade 1 is an excellent choice as it can serve the purpose of a heavy duty commercial lock and also as a high security lock for residential usage.
Traditional locks require physical keys which means you’ll need to be careful not to lose them and to make sure that keys are not easily passed away. While traditional locks are simple and reliable their security definitely depends on the specific type and quality.
Smart Locks
Smart locks represent a modern approach to home security and today it is possible to control access to your home by means like a smartphone or a fob.
These locks connect to your home Wi-Fi network enabling remote access and management from anywhere as long you’re connected to the internet which is very useful if you need to let someone in while you are away.
Another aspect is if you have children who frequently misplace their keys a smart lock is the answer to all your problems. Smart locks can also be integrated into other smart home devices and provide a complete and comprehensive solution for your home security.
In order to be controlled from a remote location smart locks need to connect to the internet and there is always a risk that a skilled hacker could gain access to your home, also if the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection fails your lock might not work properly and compromise your home. Despite this concerns the market for smart locks continues to grow and new products with better security features are being introduced offering better security solutions.
