What are smart door locks?

Smart locks are a type of electromechanical lock which is operated wirelessly after authentication from an authorized user. Forming part of a home’s security system, unlike traditional locks, however, they allow a homeowner to access his or her home without the need to use a key. If you, like many others, have found yourself asking ‘what is a smart door lock’, you might have other questions you feel need answering. So, to ensure you’re clued up on the subject, we’ve created this informative blog.

How do smart door locks work?

The majority of smart door locks are fitted onto a mechanical lock, usually a deadbolt. When operated, the smart lock will automatically configure the mechanical lock to open and close accordingly. However, instead of being key-operated, smart locks are operated by a smartphone or a special key fob, which they are connected to via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Here at T&K, we fit the Kubu Equipped Door Lock which uses a Wi-Fi connection.
You can also use smart locks to deny or grant access to your home from a remote location. This is done by sending an encrypted key via text or email, which allows the receiver to operate the lock for a set period of time. This can be incredibly useful if, for example, you’re expecting guests at your home but you’ve had to stay on at work so would normally be unable to let them in.

Smart locks also monitor the status of your door in real-time so you can see when it is locked and unlocked and receive notifications every time the door is operated. Our exclusive Kubu smart lock also has a perimeter feature. As you get further away from your house and you disconnect from the Wi-Fi, you will receive a phone notification if the door is unlocked. So, you never need to fret about leaving the door unlocked again!

Can I still get into my home without a Wi-Fi connection?

If you’re unable to connect to your Wi-Fi for whatever reason, fear not, as you can still operate your door using your regular key. So, you will still be able to get into your home.

Are smart door locks safe?

The security of your home is important, so the safety of smart locks is an understandable concern. Fortunately, smart locks are, for the most part, safe to use, although some are safer than others. For example, our Kubu Equipped Door Locks come with a 10-year security guarantee. Therefore, if your home is broken into because one of the lock’s components has failed, you will receive up to £1000 on your insurance excess.

Can smart door locks be hacked?

As smart locks are connected to your Wi-Fi network and it’s possible for this to be hacked, it’s possible that someone could gain access to your smart door lock. However, it’s highly unlikely that any potential burglar will have the right know-how to hack your Wi-Fi network in order to break into your home. As the smart lock is concealed within the door, there’s also no reason why a potential burglar would even be aware that your home uses smart locking technology in the first place.

Do all smart locks require a hub?

Not all smart locks require a hub in order to be operated. However, a smart hub can be used to link up the smart lock to other devices being used as part of a smart home network.

Although smart hubs often connect to the internet, some of the devices they connect to cannot be communicated with directly via Wi-Fi connection. Instead, they might need to be communicated with via a different protocol like Bluetooth or Zigbee. Certain smart hubs can communicate via these protocols and others. Therefore, they can act as a translator between a smartphone that uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for example, and a smart device that is operated via an alternative protocol.

Are smart door locks insurance approved?

According to Direct Line, provided a smart lock is used in conjunction with a mortice deadlock, this won’t affect home insurance requirements. However, there are various other types of door locking hardware available.

What is the best smart door lock?

Here at T&K, we install the Kubu Equipped Door Lock, which is undoubtedly one of the best smart locking systems on the market. In addition to being user-friendly and secure, it’s also surprisingly cost-effective so it offers exceptional value for money.

For the whole of September 2019, we’re offering free smart lock and stainless steel hardware upgrades for anyone who purchases one of our exquisite composite doors. For more information or to take advantage of this fantastic offer, give us a call on 0800 622 716 or contact us online.