Your commercial storefront door is a vital component of your business. Your door is integral in creating a good first impression for anyone that walks into your store. If your door looks shoddy and needs commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA, you put yourself in jeopardy of losing that customer’s business. On the other hand, a nice-looking door can help draw in customers and help you generate revenue. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced your door, keep reading—this post will teach you what you need to know about choosing a new door for your business.
Things to consider
You never want to rush into anything before making a purchase. Here are a couple of things to consider before you buy and install a new door for your storefront:
Appearance: First and foremost, you need to choose a door that looks great and goes along with the rest of your store’s facade. As you’ll learn below, your options for door styles are nearly limitless, so be sure to shop around and choose the best-looking door for your business.
Security: Appearance is obviously crucial, but we can’t overemphasize the importance of safety and security. Make sure your new door has a top-of-the-line lock to help prevent any break-ins. Additionally, make repairs as soon as you notice any signs of damage, as a compromised door makes it easy for burglars to get in.
Cost: Don’t overspend when you’re shopping for a door! Sure, having a new, great-looking door is important, but it may not be worth breaking the bank over. The good news is that you can find great deals on new doors if you just put in a little time and effort to shop around.
Types of storefront doors
As you can imagine, there are many types of doors out there. The material your door is made of is ultimately up to you, but here are a few of your top options:
Aluminum: An aluminum door is durable, cost-effective and can be painted to match the exterior of your building. These doors are also safe and secure, so you don’t need to worry about break-ins occurring at your property. For all of these reasons, aluminum is the number one choice for commercial doors across the country.
Glass: Give your business a more modern look by installing a glass door. In addition to a sleek appearance, glass doors let in more light and can make your store seem larger than it actually is.
Steel: The back of your business most likely doesn’t need to impress anyone. For that reason, we recommend choosing steel for the rear door of your commercial building. It doesn’t have any frills, but a steel door will last for years and years without needing repair, which is what really matters in the long run. And depending on the area around your business, you may be able to get away with a steel door on your storefront and blend right in!
Whether you need installation or commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA, be sure to choose Artie’s Lock And Key. We have decades of industry experience working with doors of all kinds, so you can rest easy knowing that there’s nothing we can’t do.
In our increasingly technological age, it’s hard to imagine going anywhere without your phone. These hubs of data and internet access come with us almost everywhere, unlike other physical items, including keys. This can lead to a tricky situation if you leave home in a rush, phone in hand, only to realize your keys are locked inside the house.
Fortunately, all this new technology has provided us with a way to utilize our smartphones in a new, innovative way. New locking mechanisms transform our smartphones into digital keys for the locks on our homes or commercial businesses. Remote access keys in Fairfax, VA provide tenants the opportunity to lock and unlock their doors using their phones instead of a physical key.
This technology certainly sounds interesting, but you may be thinking, “Do I really need this?” While it may seem a little over the top, remote access keys are actually a great solution to problems that physical locks and keys have caused over many decades.
Understanding remote access key systems
Also referred to as “smart lock” systems, remote access locks are hi-tech ways to lock and unlock doors using the internet. Users can use their cell phones, tablets and other internet-connected devices to control the locks on their homes or businesses remotely.
This allows you to access locking information from just about anywhere. If you’re not sure if you actually locked the door before you left, you don’t need to go home anymore—you can simply pull out your smartphone and lock the door from wherever you are. When you return home, your phone can connect to the Wi-Fi system and unlock your door automatically as you approach it.
These types of locking systems utilize Wi-Fi enabled locks and mobile apps to control remote access. There’s no need for keys, but users can also set up a code to enter on a physical keypad as a backup security measure if their phone is dead or lost.
Many remote access keys also have other great features that make life easier for you. You can schedule a code to work during specific times of the day, so if a maintenance person needs to visit for repairs, they’ll only have access when they’re expected to be there. The code can be changed remotely, too, in case you’ve had a security breach.
The mobile app that works with your remote access lock can also notify you every time someone enters your home, so you know if there’s been an intrusion. With access and notifications from anywhere, you can feel much more safe and know your home is truly secure.
Who needs remote access keys in Fairfax, VA?
Remote access keys may not be the right choice for everyone, but their simple design and useful features can help in a variety of applications.
This kind of system is great for people who tend to forget their keys a lot. Rather than chase down a locksmith in Fairfax, VA or wait for someone with a key, you can use the keypad to let yourself into your home or let your phone’s wireless connection unlock the door for you when you get close.
They’re also ideal for people who have guests visiting their house often. If you rent rooms of your home to AirBnB patrons, for example, you can set a code for them to use when they arrive, so you can stick to your existing schedule without fuss.
Contact a locksmith in Fairfax, VA to learn more about remote locking systems
If you’re interested in installing remote access locks in your home, contact a local locksmith like Artie’s Lock and Key. Our team offers full-service residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services. Visit us for rekeying, lockouts, lock installation and repair and access control systems. We’d be happy to help you promptly and provide our services with the ultimate level of customer care.
If you’ve ever been given a key for a housing property or a business, you’ve probably seen a key stamped with the words “Do Not Duplicate.” These keys imply that duplicating them is illegal, which helps to deter some people from duplicating the key when they are not supposed to.
However, a large majority of those keys are actually capable of being copied legally. This is because most of the Do Not Duplicate (DND) keys are considered “unrestricted” keys, meaning they are just like all other keys. While you may find a locksmith in Fairfax, VA who will not duplicate a DND key, many will without asking questions, making them a less secure option.
There is another type of DND key that is actually illegal to duplicate. These keys are called “restricted” keys and provide a much higher level of security for your home or business. Unfortunately, this also means that getting copies of your restricted keys is more difficult, even if you are the owner of the key.
What is a restricted key?
Restricted keys are often patent-protected and created by a specific manufacturer using specialized equipment. This makes duplicating the restricted key very difficult, if not completely impossible, if you are not working with the original locksmith in Fairfax, VA. If you attempt to have a locksmith duplicate your restricted key, but they are not the original manufacturer of the key, they will likely turn you away.
The reason for this is twofold. First, without the required equipment, a new locksmith who is unfamiliar with the process will simply not be able to produce a working key. Second, it is illegal to infringe on patent-protected keys, so locksmiths won’t copy them for fear of potential legal and financial repercussions.
How to duplicate a restricted key
If you need to duplicate a restricted key, you’ll need to receive permission from the owner or provide proper documentation that you are the owner of the keys. You’ll need to take this permission to the original locksmith, or to a dealer that has been authorized to duplicate this key type by the original locksmith. There, your locksmith will require specific sets of information, including your formal permission for duplication, the number of requested copies and more, before producing copies and making a record of the duplication.
This may seem like a hassle, but the extended duplication process is necessary in order to preserve the high level of security restricted keys provide. If the keys were easy to reproduce, your home or business would not remain very secure.
Work with a reliable mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA for your lock and key needs
Are you in need of locksmith services for your home or business? Artie’s Lock and Key is your go-to locksmith in Fairfax, VA for full-service residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services. Visit us for rekeying, lockouts, lock installation and repair and access control systems. We’d be happy to help you promptly and provide our services with the ultimate level of care. Reach out today to learn more!
Dealing with a home break-in can be a difficult and scary experience. Whether you were at home when an intruder came onto your property or you returned home to find that a break-in had occurred, it can be unsettling to find that a thief managed to gain entry to your home. There’s no way to completely prevent break-ins from happening, regardless of how many safety measures you take, but there are certainly steps you can take to protect your home, such as by installing a security lock in Fairfax, VA. In some cases, homeowners may be unknowingly making their homes more attractive to potential thieves. Make sure you know what you might be doing to unwittingly increase your risk of a break-in so that you can best protect your home:
Leaving doors and windows open: You might like getting a breeze in your house from open doors and windows, but thieves will see this as the perfect opportunity to get into your home. You should keep doors and windows closed, especially when you’re not home, and use latches on your windows to keep them secure. Lots of thieves gain entry into homes by climbing through windows or simply walking through an unlocked door. Thieves often target homes where they know windows are typically opened and doors are left unlocked.
Not using your neighbors as a resource: Getting to know your neighbors can really pay off when it comes to keeping your home safe. When you isolate yourself from your neighbors, you won’t be able to rely on them to check up on your home when you’re out of town or call you if something seems suspicious. Do yourself a favor and make a connection with your neighbors so that they can serve as a resource to help protect your home.
Being conspicuous about big purchases: You might be really excited about a new television, appliance or electronic device, but announcing these purchases can also attract thieves to your home. Hide packaging to new devices at the bottom of your waste bins and break down boxes rather than leaving them on the curbside as a form of outdoor advertisement.
Neglecting to switch out old locks: If you have an older home, chances are, your locks could use an upgrade. These old locks tend to be easy for intruders to pick. Replacing old, worn-out locks with an updated security lock in Fairfax, VA can significantly increase the safety of your home and may deter intruders from targeting your property.
When you get service from Artie’s Lock and Key, you can feel confident that you are protecting your home from intruders. We offer a range of services and products to help you with everything from lockouts to security measures. We can help you install a security lock in Fairfax, VA that helps safeguard your home from unauthorized entry. We’ve been serving the community since 1975, and we’re proud of our reputation for quality work and friendly service. Give us a call today to find out more or to request an appointment.
Whether you misplaced the key to your home or you locked your car keys in your vehicle, there may come a time when you need to call on the help of a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA. While there are many reputable locksmiths out there, there are an unfortunate number of people who use locksmithing as a front for a scam. These people will often ask for hundreds of dollars in exchange for picking your lock or replacing your lock entirely. Scammers make money by over-charging and being deceptive about their practices. It’s important that you are aware of these scams so that you can find a reputable locksmith in your area.
What a scam looks like
So, how does a locksmith scam usually play out? First, you’ll find the phone number for a mobile locksmith online. When you call, you will usually be greeted with a generic phrase like “locksmithing services” rather than an actual business name. Next, they will dispatch a locksmith to you, who will arrive in an unmarked van or vehicle. They will try to pick your lock but insist, falsely, that it’s impossible, and claim that you have to replace the lock entirely. They will charge you upwards of $1,000 for the installation of your new lock and require that you pay in cash. In many cases, you will have to replace the lock again because of the poor quality of the installation work.
Here are some major red flags to watch out for:
800 numbers: In most cases, you can rule out locksmiths with 800 numbers right off the bat. Most of these locksmiths are not legitimate and could be trying to scam you.
Unmarked vans: Businesses that are proud of their reputation and want to generate buzz in the community will drive vehicles that clearly display their logo and contact information. Unmarked vehicles and vans are a clear red flag and indicate that the locksmith has something to hide or is trying to fly under the radar.
Vague estimates: A trusted locksmith will give you a quote for services up front. If a locksmith seems to be avoiding quoting an exact price, or even giving you a ballpark estimate, move on to a different mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA.
Insistence on replacement: If your locksmith tells you that they can’t pick your lock and they have to replace it, they are likely being dishonest with you. A good locksmith usually has the skills and equipment necessary to crack even the most challenging locks. In many cases, a locksmith who claims that a lock can’t be picked is simply trying to get you to pay for a costly lock replacement and installation.
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we want to make sure that our customers don’t fall prey to a locksmithing scam. That’s why we are dedicated to offering reputable service that our clients can rely on, regardless of what they need. We’ve been developing a reputation within the community for over 40 years, and we continue to be committed to delivering consistent service at fair rates that won’t break the bank.
