"My main concern's always been security—though I guess if someone's determined enough, a keypad probably won't stop them anyway."
Yeah, that's exactly it. I've installed quite a few keyless systems over the years, and honestly, security-wise they're just as effective as traditional locks in most practical scenarios. If someone's really intent on getting in, they'll find a way regardless of what's on your door.
One thing to keep in mind, though—make sure you're choosing a system that's weather-rated for your area. Had a client last winter who went with a cheaper keypad option, and after a nasty ice storm, they were locked out because the pad froze solid. Not fun chiseling ice off your front door in freezing temps, trust me.
But overall, convenience definitely tips the scales. I've noticed most folks who switch end up loving it and never look back. No more fumbling around for keys in the dark or having to hide spares under flower pots (which, let's face it, isn't exactly Fort Knox-level security either...). Plus, it's pretty handy being able to give temporary codes to family or contractors without worrying about copies floating around.
Anyway, just my two cents. If you're renovating anyway, might as well give it a go. Worst case scenario, you swap back—but I doubt you'll want to.
Totally get where you're coming from with the security worries, but honestly, after switching to keyless at our old Victorian, I wouldn't go back. Sure, nothing's foolproof—but neither was the rusty skeleton key we had before, lol. Plus, the convenience factor is huge, especially when juggling groceries or kids. Give it some time; bet you'll wonder how you ever managed without it...
Totally relate to your experience—when I first switched to keyless entry at one of my rental properties, I was skeptical too. Old habits die hard, right? But honestly, after a few weeks, it was like second nature. One thing that helped ease my mind was setting up unique codes for different people (tenants, maintenance, cleaners). It gave me a sense of control and accountability, plus no more midnight calls about lost keys!
If you're still feeling uneasy, maybe try a gradual approach. Start by using it just for convenience during the day, then slowly rely on it more and more. Before you know it, you'll probably forget what it was like fumbling around with keys in the dark or rain. And hey, nothing's perfect—but neither were traditional locks. I've had tenants lock themselves out countless times, and trust me, keyless has saved me plenty of headaches there.
Give yourself some grace and time to adjust...soon enough it'll feel completely normal.
I get the convenience factor, but honestly, I've seen a few issues pop up with keyless systems too. Had a client whose keypad malfunctioned during a power outage—ended up locked out until we could get there. Sure, traditional keys aren't perfect either, but at least they're not dependent on electricity or batteries. I'd recommend keeping a backup option handy, just in case...better safe than sorry.
Yeah, totally get where you're coming from. Had a similar hiccup once when the battery died unexpectedly—luckily had a spare key stashed away. Backup options are definitely the way to go... peace of mind counts for a lot.
