Keypad deadbolt for small business exterior door?
October 19, 2014 5:07 PM Subscribe
I need a keypad deadbolt for a nonprofit's exterior door.
During the past year, we have used this keypad deadbolt lock which our maintenance guy got at Home Depot. It mostly worked great until it just completely died.
This is on a door adjacent to our parking lot and is used a number of times a day. The door has no awning so gets full weather (rain, sun, snow) here in Denver.
We think we need something more sturdy and weatherproof than the residential keypad from Home Depot that died but I can't find anything that is commercial grade that is equivalent. The commercial grade keypad locks seem to be on lever door handles (like this) and that doesn't make sense to me since the deadbolt seems much more secure - am I not understanding something?
Does anyone have a keypad door lock for an exterior door that gets weather that is used many times a day that works well for you? The current lock has a motor that opens the deadbolt and a touch keypad but I'm wondering if the "hard" buttons on a model like this would be less finicky? This is for a nonprofit with a shoe string budget so cost is very much an issue. I'm getting desperate, I've talked to a few locksmiths and they don't have a solution - it seems like something that would be commonplace to me so, I fear I'm missing something important. It needs to be a keypad because individuals from multiple agencies use the door and we don't want tons of keys floating around out there - is there another option I'm completely missing?
During the past year, we have used this keypad deadbolt lock which our maintenance guy got at Home Depot. It mostly worked great until it just completely died.
This is on a door adjacent to our parking lot and is used a number of times a day. The door has no awning so gets full weather (rain, sun, snow) here in Denver.
We think we need something more sturdy and weatherproof than the residential keypad from Home Depot that died but I can't find anything that is commercial grade that is equivalent. The commercial grade keypad locks seem to be on lever door handles (like this) and that doesn't make sense to me since the deadbolt seems much more secure - am I not understanding something?
Does anyone have a keypad door lock for an exterior door that gets weather that is used many times a day that works well for you? The current lock has a motor that opens the deadbolt and a touch keypad but I'm wondering if the "hard" buttons on a model like this would be less finicky? This is for a nonprofit with a shoe string budget so cost is very much an issue. I'm getting desperate, I've talked to a few locksmiths and they don't have a solution - it seems like something that would be commonplace to me so, I fear I'm missing something important. It needs to be a keypad because individuals from multiple agencies use the door and we don't want tons of keys floating around out there - is there another option I'm completely missing?
What is the warranty on the one that failed? Maybe HD would replace it....
posted by drhydro at 8:05 PM on October 19, 2014
posted by drhydro at 8:05 PM on October 19, 2014
Best answer: I have the exact second lock you linked to, but I haven't had it over a winter yet. It seems very well designed to me, all the electronic components are on the inside where they're protected from weather. Also, there is no motor -- you turn the cylinder with your hand, and a simple solenoid either allows the lock to turn or not. You can even open the lock with a key when the battery is completely dead. I bought it because it has nearly perfect reviews on Amazon.
posted by miyabo at 9:15 PM on October 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by miyabo at 9:15 PM on October 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
The commercial grade keypad locks seem to be on lever door handles (like this) and that doesn't make sense to me since the deadbolt seems much more secure - am I not understanding something?
Speaking in no way as a lock expert, but as someone who's worked for more than one business that's been broken in to - it doesn't really make much difference?
Like, it looks more secure (to you) to not have a handle, but if someone criminal really wants into the building & doesn't have a key or the code, and doesn't have mad lock-picking skills (which most criminals don't), they're just gonna have at the door and door jamb with a crowbar or something. It's all gonna be brute force, and having a lever handle on the door wouldn't have any benefit to them (but would make opening the door easier for legit users), so you might as well put a handle on the lock.
It needs to be a keypad because individuals from multiple agencies use the door and we don't want tons of keys floating around out there
This makes sense to me.
The current lock has a motor that opens the deadbolt and a touch keypad
Again, no specific lock experience, but general tech experience says, yeah, touch screen/keypad things don't last long in nasty weather. Also motors.
posted by soundguy99 at 10:42 PM on October 19, 2014
Speaking in no way as a lock expert, but as someone who's worked for more than one business that's been broken in to - it doesn't really make much difference?
Like, it looks more secure (to you) to not have a handle, but if someone criminal really wants into the building & doesn't have a key or the code, and doesn't have mad lock-picking skills (which most criminals don't), they're just gonna have at the door and door jamb with a crowbar or something. It's all gonna be brute force, and having a lever handle on the door wouldn't have any benefit to them (but would make opening the door easier for legit users), so you might as well put a handle on the lock.
It needs to be a keypad because individuals from multiple agencies use the door and we don't want tons of keys floating around out there
This makes sense to me.
The current lock has a motor that opens the deadbolt and a touch keypad
Again, no specific lock experience, but general tech experience says, yeah, touch screen/keypad things don't last long in nasty weather. Also motors.
posted by soundguy99 at 10:42 PM on October 19, 2014
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posted by DarlingBri at 5:52 PM on October 19, 2014