Choosing the right locks for your home can be a difficult process. While there are plenty of things to keep in mind when considering which locks you want to use, it is important to always remember that the solution you choose will serve as the primary defense against intrusion. As a result, it is vital that you protect your home sufficiently from many threats, not just burglars, and do so in a way that does not get in the way of your daily life.

When it comes time to purchase locks for your home, there are a few key things that you should focus on:

Balancing Convenience and Protection

One of the most important things to keep in mind is how difficult the lock is to use. If there are too many steps to lock and unlock the mechanism, it could end up getting in the way more than it helps you.  If you establish a locking system that is too onerous to lose, chances are that you or members of your family will skip a few steps and may leave you vulnerable. At the same time, if you get a locking system that is too basic you can be vulnerable, especially if the lock is known as an inexpensive solution and can be identified from outside the home. 

You also have to consider safety during an emergency. If there are too many steps to unlocking doors it can delay individuals trying to leave the home. Other things to keep in mind are the placement of windows compared to locks, secondary locking systems on back and side doors, and other alternative entry and exit points.

Ensuring Proper Installation

How locks are installed is an important component of choosing the right solution. Working with a locksmith that can provide high-quality services not only makes it easier to get help choosing the right lock, it also ensures the solution is installed properly. This is essential to protecting your home.

Installation issues are especially problematic if you have a more complex lock system. A high-quality solution that is well designed and implemented properly can provide considerable protection without becoming too difficult to use, but any flaws in installation can lead to inconvenience, future repairs and possibly easier intrusion into the home.

Mobile Functionality

Do you want to be able to lock and unlock your doors with your mobile phone, tablet computer or similar device? This type of functionality can be extremely useful for consumers as it allows them to take advantage of complex lock functions without making convenience-related sacrifices. Mobile functionality can also be helpful when your hands are full and you don't want to deal with locks, when it is cold or raining outside and you want to lock and unlock doors while you are in the car or when you are away from the home but need to let somebody in. 

Moving forward, mobile functions can exist in either remote locking and unlocking configurations, or using near-field communications to replace keys with a smartphone. However, most mobile-focused solutions work alongside keys and other traditional entry methods, ensuring that they give you another option for added security and convenience instead of replacing tried-and-true methods that you may prefer most of the time.

Essentially, a mobile locking system provides flexibility, not another situation where technology is forced upon you whether you want it or not.

While there is a lot to keep in mind when selecting the ideal lock, partnering with a security provider that can help you make the best decision possible can go a long way toward simplifying the processes and protecting your home.