Update the Look of Your Door for Greater Curb Appeal – Weiser Lock Review

And Update Your Security With the Smart Key Feature

How old is the lock on your home?

We’ve talked a little bit about the importance of upgrading your curb appeal, and you might be wondering where to start. Our top tip: with the front door of your home.

The obvious is of course the old realtors trick of painting your door an appealing color that stands out from the street (it does work). Other ideas include replacing the door itself, whether with version with windows to bring light into your front area, or with a door with old time-y appeal (Tazim wants one of the round ones from Hobbiton).

Where would we start?

With the lock.

A proper door handle and keyhole can make a positive aesthetic statement, upgrading the look of an older door. But  also, a new lock can make a significant improvement in your home’s security. Many older tumble-style locks can be bumped quite easily-bumping refers to shoving a rectangular tool into the lock with force, causing the pins to jump and then to allow the lock to be turnd-you can even order ‘locksmith’s’ tools for the purpose over the Internet. . . But new locks like this one from Weiser, are not only bump-resistant, you can rekey them from home, be confident that they aren’t easily picked, and pick one up from your local hardware store. Check out the information on SmartKey technology.

Neither is installing a new lock an arduous task, with some screwdrivers and elbow grease, it should be the work of an afternoon.

We chose the Rustic Pewter finish for our Monaco HandleSet.

We selected this lock from Weiser based not only on aesthetics (though it must be said we think their collections series puts them at the top of the heap in the looks department), but also based on their lifetime warranty and track record. It’s a good idea to look for a lock that specifically mentions being bump-resistant-sadly many of the locks that are included in new door packages aren’t. Weiser calls their technology bump-guard, and it seems to work.

We’re also pleased with their smart-key technology. Basically, with this you can rekey the lock, as long as you have a single Smartkey compatible working key. This is useful for setting up temporary arrangements with contractors or room-mates, as well preventing worry over lost keys. To work it, you first use the current key, then insert a little tool to reset the lock (which comes with the lock) -and finish off with the new Smartkey compatible one. The whole process has a sort of rocket-launching drama about it, but is in fact quite practical, as it means that you can install the thing and use your existing keys, so as to not have to pay for a locksmith. If you lose the little “learn tool” you can always use an eyeglass screwdriver, this tool doesn’t do anything except put it in learn mode and you need the original key to turn it into that position so it can be used. Very secure!

To help consumers enhance their household security, Weiser has provided the top six reasons to re-key with SmartKey:

1. Lost, stolen or unreturned Keys
2. Recently moved
3. Increased security
4. One-key convenience for all Weiser locks
5. Tenant turnover
6. Remodeling, upgrading or updating

We wondered how we would like the key-flap, which covers the lock. The disadvantage is that you can’t shove your key in while in a hurry to get inside in the minus forty weather-the advantage
Is that the lock seems to run super smoothly, and we imagine it will get stuck less often then our old one.

Look at all the lock finishes you have to choose from!

One more top tip-if you elect to install a new door on your home, check out its flexibility, many vinyl doors can be bent with a crowbar, a surprisingly discreet process that pops a conventional deadbolt out like a cork from champagne. If you elect to install a bendy plastic door, look into those bolts which work at the top and bottom of your door.

Check out the store locator on the Weiser site to find a store near you where you can purchase a Weiser lock.

We received a Monaco HandleSet from Weiser in order to upgrade our curb appeal and conduct this review. The Monaco Handleset has an ARV of $200, and is only available in Canada. We have not received any other form of compensation.

Greg West

You can find more writing by Greg on his World’s Best Vegan site. Be sure to take a look at his latest published article in the Georgia Straight

  

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