The new wave of security is to go “key-less”. More landlord’s are calling me to install battery powered push button locks so the renter can be given a code instead of a key, or a customer wants to enter their home without having to carry a key. More deadbolt locks are being introduced to the market that can be unlocked or locked from a smart phone. Although these locks may offer convenience and accountability, the biggest obstacle to these “new wave” locks is reliability. In other words, can you be certain the lock will open or re-lock when you send the command to do so from your phone?
So far the only lock I have seen with any promise of reliability is the Arrow Revolution Deadbolt. There are other brands, but the problem with self-powered locks is the gears which actually throw or retract the deadbolt. Many times these gears are plastic and wear out quickly. The other factor to an automatic lock wearing out prematurely is the installation of the lock. Were the holes bored accurately, do the mounting screws tighten without binding the inner-workings of the lock, does the deadbolt line-up perfectly with the strike plate? Even a great lock will not work properly if not installed correctly.
Recently I was called to replace a Schlage “G” lock with a passage lever and a Schlage push button deadbolt. For residential use Schlage offers the simplest and most reliable push button lock. I like the Schlage lock because there is no motor or gears, just a solenoid which engages or dis-engages an outside thumb-turn for the end user to operate. If Schlage does offer the unlock application for a smart phone in the future, the app will only unlock the lock long enough for someone to grab the thumb-turn and retract the lock bolt. In my opinion this is a much better system because the lock cannot opened automatically. Someone must be present to retract the bolt and open the door.
The photos to follow will take you through the challenges of replacing locks on metal doors. Wood doors can be plugged with real wood and re-bored and repainted. Metal doors for the most part cannot be plugged. Although I have plugged a metal door in the past, I was only able to do so because the door had a wood core. For metal doors locksmiths use Wrap-a-Round plates to cover old holes. MAG was a huge manufacturer of Wrap-a-Round plates, but went out of business a few years ago. Now the only company I know of that makes wrap plates is Don-Jo Manufacturing. Enjoy the photos.
