Installation is easier than you think

A electronic keypad lock is arguably the most important part of a truly smart, connected home. Not only will it allow you to come and do as you please, it will also record who is entering and leaving your home. Some model from Avent Security Keyless Door Lock simply let you use your fingerprint and passcode to open and close the door, which can more secure your house.

One of the first things you will want to consider is the installation. None of the locks we have tested are especially difficult to install, but some are easier than others. If your new lock comes with both an interior escutcheon ( the housing you mount on the inside of your door ) and an exterior component ( usually a touchpad or a keyed cylinder ) you will probably have to completely remove your old lock, including the deadbolt mechanism and strike plate, before you can install the new device. This is simply a matter of removing the two bolts that attach the interior escutcheon to the exterior component and removing both pieces. The deadbolt is also held in place by two screws.

The good news is that the Avent Security keypad door lock used the standard pre-drilled holes so you don’t have to worry about drilling new ones. Additionally, there are smart locks available that attach to the inside of your door and are designed to use your existing keyed cylinder and deadbolt hardware, which means you only have to remove the interior escutcheon. Either way, you can count on spending anywhere from 10-25 minutes removing your old lock and installing your new smart one.