Interesting take—I’ve been debating between fingerprint and keypad myself. Did you find the keypad easy enough to install on an older door frame? My place is pretty vintage too, and I'm worried about compatibility issues or having to drill extra holes. Also, curious if you've had any battery issues yet...heard mixed things about how long they actually last in colder climates.
I installed a keypad on my old farmhouse door (built in the 1920s, so pretty vintage too) and honestly, it wasn't too bad. Had to do a tiny bit of drilling to widen the existing hole, but nothing major—just took a few extra minutes and some patience. If your door's already got standard hardware, you probably won't have much trouble. Worst case scenario, you might need a chisel or drill handy for minor adjustments.
As for battery life...I'm in Minnesota, so winters here are no joke. Batteries definitely drain faster when it's freezing out, but it's not as bad as some people make it sound. I swap mine maybe once every 8-10 months, depending on how cold the winter gets and how often we're using the keypad. Keeping a spare set of batteries around isn't a big hassle either.
Have you considered weatherproofing or insulating around the lock area? Might help with battery life if you're worried about extreme cold.
I get why keypad locks are tempting, especially if you're juggling groceries or kids and don't want to fumble with keys. But honestly, I'm hesitant about putting one on my historic front door. Mine's from the early 1900s too, and I just love the original hardware—it's part of what gives old houses their charm. Plus, I've heard mixed things about reliability in extreme weather.
I know you mentioned battery life isn't a huge deal, but even swapping batteries every 8-10 months feels like a hassle I'd rather avoid. Maybe it's just me being stubborn, but I prefer sticking with traditional locks for exterior doors and saving the tech upgrades for inside (like smart thermostats or lighting).
On the insulation point though...that's actually a pretty good idea. Even without a keypad lock, sealing around the door hardware has made a noticeable difference in drafts at my place. Definitely worth doing regardless of what lock you choose.
"I just love the original hardware—it's part of what gives old houses their charm."
Totally get this. I've restored a few vintage doors myself, and there's something satisfying about keeping that original craftsmanship intact. Good call on sealing around hardware though—small tweaks like that really add up.
I see the appeal of original hardware, but honestly, after switching to keyless entry I don't think I could ever go back. It's just so convenient not fumbling for keys with groceries in hand or when it's freezing outside. Still, I get the charm factor...maybe there's a way to blend both worlds? Like keeping vintage hardware on interior doors and going modern on exterior ones. Has anyone tried mixing old and new like that? Curious how it turned out.
