Honestly, I’ve had the same doubts about smart locks, especially with tenants coming and going. I’ve tried a couple different brands, and the wiring situation totally depends on what you pick. My first one was plug-and-play—just swapped out the deadbolt, no fuss. The second one wanted some low-voltage wiring, which was a pain and definitely not what I’d call “weekend DIY.” If you’re not into running wires, stick with battery-powered models.
About the style thing, I get it. Some of those chunky keypads look like they belong on a bank vault. But, in my experience, the more minimal ones sometimes skimp on features or durability. I’d rather have something that works every time, even if it’s not super sleek. Have you looked at any of the newer models that try to blend in a bit more? I saw one recently that almost looked like a regular handle, but with the keypad hidden on the side—pretty slick.
Curious, is your main worry about aesthetics, or are you more concerned about reliability if you go “all smart”?
I get where you’re coming from about the “chunky keypads”—they’re not exactly subtle. But honestly, I’ve had more issues with the “sleek” models than the big, obvious ones. The hidden keypads look cool, but tenants kept missing the touch area or the thing wouldn’t register in cold weather.
“the more minimal ones sometimes skimp on features or durability. I’d rather have something that works every time, even if it’s not super sleek.”
Couldn’t agree more here. For rentals, reliability trumps looks every time. If a lock fails at 2am, nobody cares how pretty it is. I’d rather deal with a clunky design than a midnight call about someone locked out because the battery died or the sensor glitched.
Had a similar situation last winter. Tried out one of those “minimalist” smart locks on a flip, thinking it’d look sharp for showings. Looked great, but the touchpad just wouldn’t register if your fingers were cold or damp. Ended up getting a call from my contractor stuck outside in the snow—wasn’t pretty.
“If a lock fails at 2am, nobody cares how pretty it is.”
Couldn’t agree more. I’ll take chunky and foolproof over sleek and finicky any day, especially for rentals. Reliability first, aesthetics second... learned that the hard way.
Ended up getting a call from my contractor stuck outside in the snow—wasn’t pretty. Couldn’t agree more.
I get the “reliability first” thing, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with my place. Tried one of those chunky keypad locks everyone swears by, and it jammed up after a couple months—guess the cold didn’t help. Swapped it for a sleeker model with a backup key, and it’s been solid so far. Maybe it’s just luck, but sometimes the new stuff works out better than expected. I guess it really depends on the brand and how you install it.
I hear you on the brand and install making all the difference. I’ve got an old house with original doors—thick, heavy, and not exactly square anymore. Tried a “smart” deadbolt last winter, and it was a nightmare. The thing just couldn’t handle the swelling and shrinking of the wood when the weather changed. Ended up having to chisel the frame just to get the bolt to line up, which felt like sacrilege on a 100-year-old door.
Honestly, I’m not convinced these new locks are built for anything but modern, cookie-cutter doors. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I went back to a good old-fashioned keyed lock. Never failed me, even in a blizzard. Has anyone actually found a smart lock that works reliably on older, less-than-perfect doors? Or is it just not worth the hassle?
