What You Need to Know About Keypad Locks

Electronic LocksThere’s no denying that keyless locks are the future of home security. While the world transitions to electronic locks, today’s manufacturers have merged electronic and mechanical locks to meet the needs for security and convenience demanded by today’s homeowners. Before you buy, learn what to look for in a keypad lock and a bit about the benefits and pitfalls of this emerging technology.

Good to Great Security Ratings – With an ANSI Grade 1 rating, select Schlage Keypad Locks have met the highest standards for safety, security, and durability. There are some models that are rated ANSI Grade 2, which are considered good locks, acceptable for most residential applications, but aren’t quite as secure as a Grade 1 lock. Since you and your family members won’t need to carry your house keys every day, you reduce the risk of a key to your home being copied, lost, or stolen. Most keypad locks have a mechanical key override and the keyed part of the lock can still be mechanically picked open by anyone who is trained in picking locks.

Some Models Are Always Unlocked From Inside – Although having a lock that is always unlocked from the inside is ideal for an easy emergency exit, if you are concerned about children or even pets opening the door from the inside, you may need to keep that in mind as you select your keypad lock. Some models open with a thumb-turn deadbolt from the inside others stay completely unlocked from the inside.

All About Codes – You may reprogram the lock as often as you wish, and with over 10,000 user code combinations, someone would have to spend a lot of time guessing to get in. We recommend you avoid common codes like 1-2-3-4 or 0-0-0-0. Most keypad locks allow you to assign temporary codes for guests, repairmen, housekeepers, and other home service personnel, then disable those codes when they are not needed. An illuminated keypad makes entering codes at night much easier.

No Wiring Needed – Unlike older commercial electronic locks, Schlage keypad locks are battery operated so there is no special wiring needed. A single 9-volt battery is all that is needed to run your lock. With normal use the battery should be changed annually.  A low battery indicator will flash red so you won’t be surprised when it is out of batteries. If the battery is completely dead, you will need to use a mechanical key to get in. Changing the battery will not invalidate user codes, all your settings will be retained in the memory.

For a demonstration of the keypad locks, stop by our Naples showroom and we will be happy to explain the benefits and drawbacks of each model so you can make the best decision for your home.