What’s really important is the lock – regardless of whether the lock is secured and unlocked with a physical key or electronically. What really matters is how the lock is built, including the materials used and the build quality, how well the lock is fitted and whether it meets the needs of your home insurance provider. Most insurance providers, including ours (Admiral) simply require that front doors meet the British Standards Institution BS3621 lock standard.
Obviously your front door and its lock play a critical role in keeping you and your property safe and secure and so decisions about locks are really important.
Let’s quickly define what we mean by ‘traditional’ and smart locks. Traditional locks are those with which you are likely more familiar and can simply be summarised by those which require a physical key to operate them! These include, but are not limited to:
- Five-lever mortice deadlock (often found on wooden doors)
- Pin-tumbler cylinder lock (commonly known as a ‘Yale lock’)
- Euro cylinder lock (often used in uPVC doors and used in both domestic and commercial settings)
Smart locks on the other hand don’t require a physical key – although some do come with a physical backup key. Smart lock mechanisms and features can take different forms and might include one or more of the following:
- Touch-sensitive keypads (where you type in a code to unlock the door)
- Smartphone app (also allows remote entry and access to entry logs)
- Voice control (with voice recognition providing the means of activating the lock)
- Fingerprints (biometric scanning to unlock the door)
- Key fobs (with small wireless proximity tokens tapped against the reader to gain entry)
- Pin code access (pre-set digital combination entered on a physical button keypad)
Which is actually safer?
Traditional locks have some vulnerabilities although you can’t ‘hack’ them. The weak point is usually the lock’s quality. Older, cheaper (and poorly installed) euro cylinders can be vulnerable to snapping, which is why upgrading to a high-security cylinder is one of the most common jobs locksmiths do. It’s important to only buy and install locks that adhere to recognised standards like BSI 3621 and not just because this is a common requirement by insurers.
Smart locks bring new and useful features including the ability to view activity logs – but they also bring new vulnerabilities. Battery life is a key issue – what happens when the batteries run out or the power supply is interrupted? The security of any app or software governing access to your property is also really important for obvious reasons. Needless to say, there should be backup or fail-safe options including in the form of a physical key.
The answer to the question of which is better – smart or traditional locks – is not actually simple. It can depend on your specific needs and the context of your situation (including the type of property, location (rural or urban). What is true, regardless of whether you choose a smart or traditional lock, is that what matters most is the lock, how well it’s fitted, and whether your insurer is happy with it.
What we haven’t covered here is the importance of your door… needless to say it’s pointless having a top quality lock which is installed in a weak door that any random person can kick down. Doors will be the subject of another blog article on our site…
It’s worth noting that well-known manufacturers of traditional locks (at least those who also sell smart locks) are encouraging users to make the switch to smart locks. However, we think traditional locks still have an important role to play and will still be a suitable choice for many.
Find a suitable locksmith in your area who can install a new lock or let you in if you’ve misplaced your key here.
This article is general guidance only. Always check the requirements of your own home insurance policy and seek advice from a qualified locksmith before changing your door locks.