Smart gate locks are as safe, durable and reliable as traditional gate locks. However, these electronic devices add functionality, connectivity, and simplicity to your gates. That way, opening and closing your home’s gate becomes a less traumatic experience.
Relying on a smart device means that you won’t have to verify with your own eyes that the gate is correctly locked. Using your computer, smartphone or tablet, you can do it in simple and quick steps.
In this guide, you’ll learn 10 tips that will help you make your home a much safer place with the help of a smart gate lock. In addition, you’ll find a more detailed explanation of these smart-home devices and their benefits. Learn more about uses of smart gate lock.
Click here – Why Is It Important to Take Care of Your Pets During This Pandemic Crisis?
What is Smart Gate Lock?
It’s an electromechanical device used for locking and unlocking gates from a remote distance. In addition, these units are made up of two basic components: the key and the lock. In this case, the key isn’t a physical device, but a password sent to a receiver via WiFi, Z-Wave, Bluetooth or any other wireless protocol.
Most smart gate locks are associated with an app compatible with most smart devices in the current market. With this app, you can also grant temporary access to visitors, monitor the current status of the lock and the unlocking history. Visitors can also get their personal access codes on their smart devices via SMS or email.
10 Tips to Safe Your Home by Using A Smart Gate Lock
As said before, smart gate locks can be as secure as traditional gate locks. However, you can also improve the security level of the whole system by following these 10 tips:
- Choose the right protocol
Smart gate locks are compatible with different wireless protocols. Each protocol also has its own pros and cons. For example, Bluetooth devices consume much less battery than the rest. Also, all smart devices these days are compatible with Bluetooth, which is great. However, Bluetooth has a limited reach range, which can be a problem.
On the other hand, Z-Wave devices are much more secure because only pre-configured smart devices are authorized to access the system. However, most smart devices don’t support this protocol. Therefore, you’ll need a Z-Wave hub that translates the signal into something that smart devices can understand.
WiFi devices on the other hand allow for a wider reach range, giving you control from any location with a stable Internet connection. However, WiFi devices also consume too much battery power. This means that you’ll have to spend money on new batteries too frequently.
- Key or no-key?
Maybe, the greatest appeal of smart gate locks is the fact of not needing keys to open your gate. However, keyless systems also have a big con. They’re useless without battery power. So, you’ll need to replace the battery to open the gate. Therefore, it’s more convenient to choose a smart gate lock that can also be opened with a physical key.
- Check out the compatibility
If you already use a smart-home system to control other electronic devices at home, it’s also recommended that your smart lock would be compatible with that system. That way, you’ll be able to control everything from a single app.
Click here – HOW TO AUTO-REPLY TO INSTAGRAM MESSAGES
- The interaction is also important
The way you interact with your smart gate lock defines the level of difficulty. Usually, older people don’t get along with technology. So, elderly at home will suffer if they have to use a smartphone or connect to the Internet to unlock the gate.
Some systems take the concept of “simplicity” to the next level, eliminating the use of smart devices. For example, those systems with proximity sensors or fingerprint scanners.
- Resistant to external agents
Above all, your smart gate locks should be resistant to external agents. Things like high humidity levels, extreme temperatures and UV rays can damage the delicate electronic components of your gate lock. Therefore, having an exterior weather cover may help to extend the service life of the whole system.
- Control who enters and who leaves
Some smart gate locks can create an unlocking history so you can determine if someone is entering or leaving your property without your permission.
- Use other power sources
Connecting your smart gate lock to the power output of your gate opener will save you from buying new batteries. Just make sure not to exceed the recommended input voltage.
- Complement your whole security system
A single smart gate lock may not be enough to guarantee protection on your property. Therefore, it’s recommended to reinforce the whole security system with more alarms, sensors and security cameras.
- Use multiple locks
If your gate is too big and too heavy, a single smart lock will probably not be enough. In that case, using two or three locks on the same gate will bring more security and will make it less prone to be forced.
- Choose the right latch
Above all, the latch of your smart gate lock should be thick and sturdy. If it’s too thin, it will bend or break too easy. On the other hand, if it’s too thick, it won’t fit your gate. So, make sure to know the recommended latch dimensions for your gate before buying.
Conclusion
Certainly, choosing the right smart gate lock can make your home much safer and give you peace of mind. However, as you can see, there are many things you need to consider before making the final decision. If you want to get the best results, make sure you follow these 10 tips.
