Locked Out Drama—What Would You Do?
That’s actually really clever, keeping the old knob for looks and just adding the smart deadbolt above. I’ve been wrestling with this exact dilemma for ages. My house is from 1912, and the front door still has its original mortise lock—big brass plate, skeleton key, the whole deal. I love how it looks, but it’s a nightmare when you get locked out (which has happened more than once...).
Last time it happened, I stood on my porch for an hour debating whether to call a locksmith or try to jimmy the window (which felt wrong, but desperation does weird things). Ended up calling the locksmith, who took one look at my mortise lock and just sighed. Apparently, those old mechanisms are a pain even for pros.
I’ve looked into smart locks that claim to work with mortise setups, but I’m skeptical. Most seem designed for modern deadbolts. Did you have to do any serious drilling or woodwork to get yours in? That’s my big fear—ruining the original woodwork or having some chunky modern thing sticking out like a sore thumb.
Also curious if anyone’s tried those retrofit kits that let you keep the old hardware but add a smart module inside? I saw one online but can’t tell if it’s legit or just marketing fluff.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if it’s worth all this trouble just for convenience. But then again, standing outside in the rain with groceries and no key... that’s not exactly charming either. Has anyone found a way to keep the vintage look without sacrificing sanity?
Man, I totally get the struggle. Those old mortise locks are gorgeous but they’re a real pain when you’re stuck outside. I’ve worked on a bunch of these old doors and honestly, most smart locks just aren’t made for them—at least not without some serious fiddling or, yeah, drilling. I’ve seen a couple of those retrofit kits in action and... mixed results. Sometimes they work, sometimes they’re more trouble than they’re worth. If you really want to keep the vintage look, adding a deadbolt above is usually the least invasive way. It’s not perfect, but it saves the original woodwork and your sanity when you forget your keys.
Yeah, I’ve been there too—nothing like standing outside your own house cursing a 100-year-old lock. If you’re handy, swapping in a deadbolt above is pretty straightforward: measure twice, drill once, and use a template if you can. I’d also suggest looking for a low-profile deadbolt to keep things looking classic. Those retrofit kits are tempting but honestly, sometimes they just add more headaches than they solve.
Honestly, I’m with you on the retrofit kits—they look easy on paper, but half the time you’re fighting with old woodwork or weird door thicknesses. I’d rather just drill for a proper deadbolt and be done with it. One thing I always tell folks: check your door alignment before you start. If it’s sagging even a little, that new lock’s gonna stick or not line up right. Learned that the hard way on my own place... nothing like wrestling a “new and improved” lock at midnight.
Yeah, you nailed it—door alignment is everything. Nothing like thinking you’ve upgraded security, only to have tenants call because the lock’s jammed at 2am. I’ve had to shim a door frame more times than I care to admit. Honestly, sometimes the “quick fix” ends up being way more work than just biting the bullet and doing it right from the start. You’re not alone in this... old houses love to keep us on our toes.
