Smart Locks vs. Deadbolts: What Actually Secures a Home?
The honest answer most marketing won't give you: they solve different problems, and the boring one matters more.
What stops a break-in (it's not the app)
Most residential break-ins are force, not lock-picking: a kick near the strike plate, a pried frame. What resists that is mechanical — a Grade 1 or 2 deadbolt with a full-length throw, a reinforced strike plate anchored with 3-inch screws into the stud, and a solid door. A $40 strike reinforcement often adds more real security than a $300 smart lock.
Where smart locks genuinely earn it
- Key sprawl — cleaners, dog walkers, in-laws: codes you can create and revoke beat copies you can’t recall
- Lockout immunity — a keypad can’t be left at the office
- Awareness — knowing the kids got home, or that the door actually locked behind you
- Rentals — code turnover between guests or tenants without hardware changes
The right answer is usually both
A quality smart deadbolt (not a bolt-on gadget over a weak lock) on a reinforced strike gives you the mechanical resistance and the convenience. Our residential technicians install and reinforce both — call (347) 776-0145 and describe your door for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smart locks hackable?
Reputable models with current firmware are not the weak point in practice — physical attacks on the door and frame are. Buy known brands, keep firmware updated, and spend the savings on strike reinforcement.
What happens to a smart lock when the battery dies?
Most warn for weeks first, and many keep a physical key cylinder or external battery contacts as backup. Pick a model with a fallback you’re comfortable with — the technician can walk you through options.
One number for every lock in Dunwoody.
Home, car, office, or safe — a dispatcher is on the line 24/7.