Home security, is there anything more important? What better feeling is there than knowing you are safe?
For most of us, keeping our home safe is our #1 priority – and it makes sense. Nobody wants to live in a rough neighbourhood or an area where they feel unsafe. While it would be wonderful if we could live in a world where we could leave our doors unlocked without any fears, that is not the case. Across England and Wales alone, as many as five hundred break-ins are reported every single day. Is that not staggering? It is also a call to arms to invest in and take home security seriously.
When it comes to home security, it can be confusing trying to pick the right investments, right? For example, locks. Locks have changed drastically in the last ten to twenty years. From the advent of British Standard 3621-approved locks, which reduce the risk of typical security bypass methods like key snapping, we now have keyless ‘smart’ locks.
Are you interested in joining the keyless revolution? Then read on with this insider guide from a professional locksmith in Doncaster. We will help you to understand exactly what you get if you go keyless!
The History of Locks: How Did They Come To Be?
From treasure chests found at the bottom of the sea to cities built thousands of years ago, locks have been a part of human culture for a long, long time. In fact, archaeologists have found lock and key systems being used as far back as six thousand years ago. Traditional locks – managed with a lock opened by a specific key – are a concept going back far longer than any of us have been alive.
From locking our doors and gates to making sure people cannot access important documents and assets, locks go back to the times of Assyria. The earliest locks were extremely basic, but at the time, they must have felt revolutionary. Moving forward in history, to the ancient Egyptians, the use of pin locks made from wood became commonplace. They were nothing more than a bolt across the door, a fixture within the door, and a key. Yet, for the time, they were incredibly durable.
As we moved into the era of metals being used on a regular basis, locks soon followed. However, ‘old school’ traditional locks maintain many more similarities to traditional locks of civilisations past than they do differences. Over time, we have developed many lock types.
The Most Common Lock Types In The World
We are known for our ingenuity, so what kind of locks have we developed over time?
Padlocks
The padlock is one of the most versatile lock types around, and remains among the most commonly used locks in the world. They are great for storing personal belongings in chests and safes, but we also tend to use padlocks on everything from garden gates to sheds.
Deadbolts
The deadbolt is generally quite similar to the classic Egyptian method we touched on in the above section. They are designed to provide extra security alongside another more traditional lock type. Opened with the turning of a key or a thumb-operated latch, deadbolts provide exceptional durability.
Knob Locks
Like the deadbolt, knob locks tend to be used as a secondary type of defence alongside a traditional lock and key door system. They offer a level of protection that makes them robust and hard to force through, making them the ideal partner for standard lock systems.
Lever Locks
Lever locks are an upgrade on the above door lock, and also tend to be easier to get the hang of. Many senior citizens in OG Anunoby have lever locks fitted as they provide an easily managed lock type that still provides a high level of protection and durability. Pushing on the lever opens the door.
Cam Locks
While most commonly used for locking objects like storage cabinets and containers, cam locks are known for their versatility. They can also be fitted to an external door as a secondary protection, much like the above lever or knob locks. They remain highly versatile in terms of their configurations.
What Lock Types Do We Use On Our Doors?
The above lock types cover traditional lock methods, in addition to a traditional lock type. Most homes across the UK use door types such as:
Euro Locks
Euro cylinder locks are highly popular across modern door types in the UK and, as the name implies, across Europe. They are sleek, stylish, low-profile, and generally very durable. Since they are part of the door’s internal structure, they tend to be very durable and are much harder to remove or disable compared to other external lock types.
Mortise Locks
The mortise lock is, like the Euro lock, fitted into an internal section of the door. Most mortise locks in the UK are used on commercial properties or properties with multiple buildings within, like a block of flats. Another similar alternative to mortise locks is rim locks, which offer much of the same protection and functionalities. Their main differences come in their design and installation.
Multi-Point Locks
MPL lock types are great for those who have installed additional layers of protection on their doors. MPL locks are known for their high levels of durability, providing multiple bolts that latch over one by one as the key is turned. Most door types remain compatible with MPL lock systems, from classic wooden doors to composite doors and UPVC doors.
Keyless Door Locks: The Future Of Locks
While a local locksmith can recommend a variety of lock upgrades for your door, many are now turning to smart locks. Smart lock door installations make a lot of sense, especially in the smart tech era. Many of us are ever more used to using our smartphones and apps to control everything in our homes, from our lights to our cookers. Well, why not our security systems as well?
Enter keyless door locks, or ‘smart’ locks, as many are referred to. Keyless door locks combine the best of smart technology with traditional door lock systems to create arguably the most secure locks we have ever known. They provide many benefits, not least exceptional security and ease of use even from afar. They also make sense in the commercial realm. Many shops install keyless door locks to improve security and provide vital analytics on everything from footfall to employee timestamps.
When combined with a remote server, people do away with keys in favour of things like auto-read keycards, PIN code entry systems and even biometrics. The system keeps an automatic record of who has entered the building, with what credentials they used, and the time they arrived. Now, you can make sure you catch your kids’ cold when they swore they came home at midnight, not 3AM!
How Do Keyless Door Locks Operate?
As the name implies, keyless door locks do not have a lock and key system. Instead, they rely on more modern methods like those mentioned above: PIN codes, keycards, biometrics, etc.
To make the doors open and close, the individual needs to be able to provide verified accreditation. That means, for example, a PIN code that opens the door, a verified keycard, or even a retina scan. If the user is unable to provide the door with the correct credentials, it will remain closed. Crucially, these keyless entry systems make a note of all successful and unsuccessful entry attempts.
Of course, there is always the concern regarding power. Keyless entry systems operate on a power source, either from the mains power or from a secondary power source like a battery pack. They also need an internet or Bluetooth connection so they can communicate with the server and verify entry codes, etc.
The Types Of Keyless Lock Systems
However, like traditional locks, it should be noted that keyless entry comes in various forms, including:
Mandatory Access Control
Mandatory Access Control, or MAC, provides someone with the responsibility of verifying all door entry requests. A user, such as the primary homeowner or the head of security in a business, will have someone present at all times to verify entry. This is great for making sure undesirable guests do not arrive and that only the correct people get access to the building.
Discretionary Access Control
Otherwise known as DAC, this system is targeted at homeowners who want keyless entry into their home. These provide an individual with an administrative access code that they have control over, as opposed to relying on third-party software to approve/deny access.
Role-Based Access Control
Arguably, the most ideally suited choice for businesses and commercial venues, RBAC provides each individual with access based on their role. For example, you can give junior staff access to certain areas of the building, but not to areas denoted for senior staff. However, RBAC systems also make sense for residential property owners who might, for example, sublet the property or rent it out temporarily.
Keyless Entry: What Access Management Methods Are There?
Now that you can understand the types of keyless entry systems available, let’s move on. First, let’s take a look at the kind of credentials you can use to permit/restrict access to your property, such as:
Keycard Entry
The key option is to create key cards. These cards are swiped onto the interface, either across the screen or into a designated card slot. The computer system then authenticated the card and provided/rejected access. For improved security, you might wish to set up a two-factor authentication system.
RFID Card Readers
In many businesses, you want to make sure staff can move around freely without having to keep stopping to enter codes (see below). In that case, RFID systems work best. These readers are continually scanning for radio frequencies that they accept. As soon as someone gets to the system with the correct RFID card, the computer scans the card and allows them entry. Simple!
Keypad Entry
Keypad systems are a great choice for any home or business owner who wants to provide people with unique codes for entry. You could give each individual a unique entry code or use department-specific codes. The individual has to enter their code into the keypad to gain access to the building.
PIN codes make sense as you can easily assign codes to each individual; then, you can easily track who has entered the building and when. You can even create one-time PIN codes for guests and service providers, such as trade professionals, carrying out work on your property while you are away.
Biometric Entry
Arguably, the most secure biometric scanners are also comfortably the most expensive choice for keyless entry. They use unique identifiers of individuals to provide access. This could be their eyes, their voice, their fingerprints, etc.
While it would be unlikely that you would have biometric scanners for entering your home, it is increasingly common in high-value and high-security business premises. Of course, you could go for biometric scanning for your house, which includes, for example, thumb scanning. For those who don’t mind paying a bit more for best-in-class security, this makes a lot of sense.
App-Based Entry
Many people who have smart locks installed in their homes or business properties stick to this method. You can control your locks using a smartphone app, meaning you can easily access your locks from afar. Are you on holiday, and the person looking after your dog needs to get inside? You can activate and re-lock your doors from miles away. So long as you have an internet connection, you can manage your locks.
You can even get alerts for entry attempts and similar, making app-based controls and reporting the best choice for many homeowners. Small businesses, too, might benefit from app-based entry.
Now that you have a good grasp on keyless entry and what it entails, let’s answer a crucial question:
Can You Swap Traditional Locks For Keyless Entry Systems?
Absolutely – professional locksmiths like Lock & Key, are continually fitting keyless entry lock systems into homes and businesses. While every locksmith has their process for this, most of the time the steps include:
Initial Security Surveys
An expert locksmith will want to have a look at your building first, right?
Once you contact a local locksmith to start the installation process, they will carry out a home/business review. They can determine the challenges involved in your installation process, as well as give you a rundown on what kind of keyless entry systems would be compatible.
Most locksmiths will recommend keyless entry systems for your external doors, such as your front and back doors. They will also likely suggest having a bypass system in place in the event of a power cut or loss of internet connectivity. A locksmith can then give you a rundown on the process, such as where installations will be fitted, what kind of components are required, and a time + cost estimate.
Deep Dive Analysis
Your chosen locksmith in your area can then give you a more thorough analysis of what the keyless entry process will entail. They can give you a breakdown on the lock types available to you and what each system would require to use. Most of the time, a locksmith can give you the full spectrum of options we laid out above, but some properties might be more limited.
A locksmith can then give you a rundown on the wiring process and what will be needed to install your new keyless entry lock systems. They should also be able to advise on other matters, such as the scale and regularity of maintenance required.
Cost Estimates
As mentioned above, locksmiths will also be able to give you an estimate of the cost. Generally, keypads can cost you anything from £50+ to install, while more advanced smart locks managed by an app could be in the region of £150 to £300, if not more. For multiple doors, double that price again. Most commercial systems start at around £200 and can easily exceed £1,000.
Depending on how extensive you wish the system to be and what kind of features you need, your price could change quite drastically. However, you will now have a better idea of the costs involved.
Backup Planning
Every good plan has a backup, right? As they say in sports, you always need a Plan B. Well, your shiny new keyless entry system is no different. Powering your system via your mains is the usual starting point, but what if you get a power cut? What if the internet or Bluetooth signal goes down?
A savvy locksmith can recommend backup power sources to make sure you always remain connected. At the same time, they might also suggest a backup; many keyless entry systems have a backup lock and key system fitted in place, too. Should the power go down for a prolonged period, you can still get into your building the ‘old’ way – these are discussions you should have with an expert.
Are You Ready To Go Keyless?
Keyless door management once sounded like something from a well-written sci-fi novel. The world has changed at a great pace in the last ten or so years, though, leading to the mass proliferation of smart technology. Our locks and keys are no different. As criminals continue to come up with novel ways to overcome even the most robust traditional locks, going keyless is the next step in security.
However, this is absolutely NOT a DIY job. As you can see, these systems are complex and their installation and management require professional insights. If you are interested in going keyless, contact a locksmith in your area, like Lock & Key. A professional can give you a full rundown on the costs and processes involved so you get maximum bang for your buck with your investment.
For modern home security paired with ease of use functionality, go keyless. Contact a locksmith and get a personal review of how keyless entry systems would benefit your home or business. With the right smart lock setup, you are in the best position to protect your home or business. With break-ins on the rise in the UK, there has never been a better time to invest in your security setup.
Traditional locks still have their place in the world, of course. For those looking for best-in-class security at home or in their place of work, though, going keyless might just be the best alternative.
