A growing number of British homeowners are choosing to upgrade their front doors with tech-enabled “keyless” smart locks, which allow them to be opened by phone, fob, fingerprint or a number pad. But you need to make sure you have the right lock for the door – and that your insurance isn’t invalidated by installing it. They allow you to get into your home without a key, instead using a code, a phone, a fingerprint, a voice assistant such as Siri or facial recognition to give you entry.
Some can be operated remotely via wifi so that if a tradesman calls to do work, you can let them in wherever you are. Many offer a combination of several options. In South Korea, and some Scandinavian countries, they are becoming the norm, says Steffan George of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), a UK trade body.
In the UK they are more common on offices, but interest is increasing. The types vary in complexity. Some have the smart feature and a handle in one unit that fully replaces an existing door handle.
Others are made up of a small unit which can be fitted on an existing lock, sitting on top of it, opening the door when activated. This type essentially turns a traditional lock into a smart one. And there is a third type where the existing mechanical lock cylinder is swapped for an electronic one, which opens the lock once activated.
Some allow for a physical key to be used in an emergency. They range from less than £100 to well over £1,000. Shane Hales, of HalesLocks in Sidcup, Kent, puts the starting price for a good quality version at between £200 and £250 for the unit.
Getting a professional to fit them will add to the cost. Look out for the Kitemark on the faceplate to ensure that it meets security requirements set by theBritish Standards Institution. Sold Secure, an agency which judges the performance of locks, has a certification called SS504.
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