Whether you’re looking to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home or improve security, smart door locks are becoming increasingly popular and are being installed in more and more households. Currently, only a few new homes come equipped with smart door locks, and new homeowners often purchase and install them during renovations.

However, the most common and cost-effective option is to retrofit existing doors with smart locks, replacing traditional mechanical locks. If you’re planning to upgrade to a smart lock during the Chinese New Year, there are two key considerations to keep in mind when choosing one within your budget.

1. Door Material

Installing a smart lock can be intrusive to the original door structure. It may require some degree of dismantling the existing lock and cutting the door to fit and secure the smart lock. Therefore, the door’s thickness and material are crucial factors.

Typically, standard smart locks can be installed on doors with a thickness of 40-90 mm. If your door was purchased a long time ago and is made of thinner wood, ironwork, or glass, forcefully installing a smart lock might cause the door to break. It’s essential to consult with the seller and installer beforehand to avoid any installation issues.

Additionally, doors with higher costs, such as imported double-leaf doors, might require removing door edges, which can’t be restored, making smart lock installation a careful decision.

2. Lock Type

The type of existing mechanical lock can also limit the installation of a smart lock. For instance, side locks, like smart rim locks or outer door locks installed outside the door, cannot accommodate the lock body or secure the smart lock handle.

If your door uses a narrow gap to trigger the latch and other components to lock the door, installing a smart lock might prevent the door from closing properly. This lock body is quite unique, and the door structure is complex, making it unsuitable for a smart lock retrofit.