The rise of technology has impacted the way we interact with almost everything in our lives… including our locks. Many people hate fumbling for keys or forget them at home, leaving them without access to their homes or businesses. Thanks to technology, there are now numerous ways to enter a building without a key.
Keyless locks and remote access keys in Fairfax, VA (or “smart locks”) are becoming increasingly popular in both homes and businesses because of their added convenience. But these two types of locks are quite different. When deciding to upgrade your lock system, make sure you understand the difference between keyless and smart locks and which is right for you.
Keyless locks
Simply put, keyless locks are locks that do not require a key for entry. Instead of a key, they may utilize a keypad and code or pin, a card or key fob reader, a touch screen, fingerprint scanner or other form of keyless access.
Many keyless locks still have a keyhole incorporated as a backup in case there is a technological issue and you cannot use the keyless entry system to get in.
These systems are great options for commercial buildings. They are relatively simple devices and can control the way people enter the building. These systems minimize the possibility of key copying and illegal entry. Additionally, changing the passcode for keyless locks can often be easier and less expensive than rekeying traditional locks.
Smart locks
Smart locks are a type of remote access key in Fairfax, VA, but they go above and beyond simply allowing access without a key. Smart locks connect to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing you to lock or unlock doors remotely using your phone, be notified whenever your door has been unlocked and much more. A common feature of smart locks is to automatically unlock your door when your phone is near the lock, letting you get inside without fumbling for a key.
Smart locks are a great option for residential homeowners who want greater control over their homes. The added benefit of smart locks is that they work using an app on your phone, meaning you can control your locks from anywhere in the world as long as you have access to the internet.
The systems are also especially useful if you are letting guests into your home. Another common feature is to set one-time-use passcodes or passcodes that have time limits to allow guests to enter the home without giving them a key or a permanent passcode.
Smart locks do have drawbacks, though. Despite adding greater control over your locks, the systems do rely on internet access, meaning a failure in Wi-Fi or power can render you without access. They are also more complicated and may not be ideal for people who are less tech-savvy.
Choosing between lock types
The type of lock you choose will ultimately depend on your needs and comfort level with technology. Smart locks will usually be more expensive, but provide greater control, while keyless locks are typically easier to use.
If you’re interested in purchasing keyless locks or remote access keys in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock And Key. We offer locksmith, rekeying and lock installation and repair services for residential, commercial and automotive clients.
Large glass sliding doors are a great addition to your home to let in more natural light, provide picturesque views of your yard and allow easy access to a porch or patio. As great as sliding doors are, though, they are also potential hazards in your home because they tend to attract thieves. The large glass panes and flimsy locks can easily be broken into.
If you have sliding doors, it’s best to invest in a high-quality sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA to keep your home safe. And no matter what kind of lock you have, there are a few ways you can make your doors even more secure.
The importance of having locks on your sliding doors
You might be thinking, “Why is it so important to lock my sliding doors?” Usually, these doors are on a balcony or porch in the backyard and hidden from view. This doesn’t mean a burglar won’t try to enter through them, though.
Locking your sliding door can protect you against theft, as long as the lock is strong. Sliding doors are very easy to open and are also extremely quiet, making them the perfect target for burglars or other wrongdoers.
Adding locks to sliding doors also helps protect children. These doors are easy for children to push open, even if they are too short to open a standard door. Locks can help prevent kids from getting outside and hurt on accident.
How sliding door locks work
Sliding doors open sideways along a wood or metal track at the top and bottom of the door. There are a few different types of sliding door locks in Fairfax, VA, but most are pretty flimsy when compared to standard door locks.
Most sliding doors have simple latches or clasps that lock the door in place by lightly latching it to the door frame. Unfortunately, these can often be jiggled open in no time.
Adding an extra lock, like a loop lock or cylinder lock, to the sliding door can help add strength to the security of your sliding glass door. These types of locks use a bolt that actually enters the door frame.
How to secure your sliding door locks
Here’s a closer look at some of the steps you can to take to secure your sliding doors:
Add security bars: These metal bars are placed in between the wall and one half of your sliding door to keep the door firmly locked in place. They are usually easy to put in and remove and don’t require permanent installation.
Upgrade the glass: Often, the glass on sliding doors is thin and easily shattered, making it an easy doorway for someone to quickly break and enter through. Upgrading your glass to shatter-resistant panes or adding a protective shatterproof film can help strengthen the glass against break-ins.
Replace broken tracks: If your sliding door’s tracks are warped, broken or old and flimsy, it’s time to replace them. Broken tracks can easily be manipulated to pop the door out and let someone into your home.
Is the lock on your sliding door flimsy or non-existent? Call Artie’s Lock And Key! We provide a variety of locksmith and lock installation services, including sliding door locks in Fairfax, VA.
Have you ever suddenly forgotten the entry code to your safe? If so, you know that it’s not a good feeling! During this discomforting time, you may be tempted to Google “how to crack a locked safe” to try to find a quick way to open a safe by yourself. However, that’s not a good idea—trying to crack a safe on your own will lead to problems 10 times out of 10. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of trying to unlock a safe without help from a professional safe cracker in Fairfax, VA:
Don’t override your security system: These days, safes have all sorts of backup security systems to ensure that nobody gets in without the proper code—not even the owner! That said, anyone with an internet connection can look up possible ways to try to override those systems. That’s not a good idea—one wrong move and your safe can go into a penalty lockout mode that prevents you from opening the safe unless you break it.
Don’t mess with the wiring: Your next thought might be to disassemble the safe’s wiring. Again, steps on how to do this can likely be found with a quick Google search. However, just like trying to override the security system, this is a bad idea. There are two possible outcomes when you mess with the wiring: your safe will go into a manual lockout mode, or you’ll damage the electrical components of your safe, and it’ll be useless altogether.
Don’t drill into a locked safe: The bad guys in heist movies always seem to try to drill into a safe to get to the goods inside. While that might work on the big screen, it’s bound to lead to a disaster in real life. Regardless of the type of safe you have, trying to drill into it will most likely break the unit, which will necessitate expensive repairs.
Things you can try
Now that you know what not to do when you’re locked out of your safe, it might be helpful to go over a few things that you can do to try to regain access:
Call the manufacturer: First, you can try to call the manufacturer to see if they can help unlock your safe. As long as you have your safe’s serial number or can prove that the safe is actually yours, the manufacturer might be able to recommend some tips to reset your entry code.
Call a safe cracker: Have no fear if your manufacturer can’t help—that’s why we’re here! As an experienced safe cracker in Fairfax, VA, you can trust that we can open your safe and help you reset your combination if you can’t remember it.
The next time you need someone to open your safe, be sure to call our pros at Artie’s Lock And Key. We’ll send someone out to your home or business right away to professionally, quickly and safely unlock your safe without causing any damage.
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.
