Had the same issue when I upgraded to smart locks last year—insurance barely acknowledged it. Wonder if they're waiting on long-term security data, or maybe it's just bureaucracy slowing things down...either way, convenience alone made it worth it for me.
I get the convenience factor, but honestly, smart locks felt a bit out of place on my older home. A few things I noticed:
- Installation wasn't exactly straightforward—had to tweak the door frame quite a bit.
- The aesthetics clashed with my vintage hardware, so it took some hunting to find something that didn't look too modern.
- Insurance-wise, same story here...no real acknowledgment or discount.
Still glad I did it overall, but convenience alone wasn't enough for me—I needed something that blended in better with the house's character.
"The aesthetics clashed with my vintage hardware, so it took some hunting to find something that didn't look too modern."
I completely understand your point about aesthetics—older homes have their own charm, and modern tech can sometimes feel jarring. When I upgraded a property built in the 1920s, I faced a similar challenge. It took me weeks to find a smart lock that didn't scream "high-tech gadget" every time I walked up to the door. Eventually, I settled on one with a subtle bronze finish and traditional styling that blended nicely with the original fixtures.
Regarding insurance, it's true that most providers haven't caught up yet in terms of discounts or recognition for smart locks. However, from an investment standpoint, I've found that these upgrades can subtly boost buyer appeal down the line—even if they're not explicitly acknowledged by insurers.
Glad you stuck with it despite the hurdles; maintaining character while adding convenience is always a balancing act...sounds like you managed it pretty well.
"Eventually, I settled on one with a subtle bronze finish and traditional styling that blended nicely with the original fixtures."
Nice choice—I went through something similar with an older rental. Ended up with matte black hardware...modern enough to feel updated, but still vintage-friendly. Tenants loved it, so win-win I guess?
Matte black is a solid choice—I've seen it work really well in older homes, especially if you're trying to bridge that gap between vintage charm and modern convenience. Bronze is great too, though; it has that warmth that just feels right in traditional spaces.
Funny enough, I recently did a remodel for a client who insisted on polished chrome hardware everywhere. At first, I was skeptical because the house was built in the 1920s and had a lot of original woodwork and fixtures. Chrome felt a bit too shiny and modern to me at first glance. But once we got everything installed, it actually looked pretty sharp. It gave the place a subtle Art Deco vibe without feeling out of place. Sometimes you just never know until it's all put together.
Speaking of keyless entry, have you noticed any issues with battery life or connectivity yet? I've had mixed experiences with different brands—some seem to drain batteries way faster than others, especially in colder climates. Curious how yours is holding up so far...
