Keypad Entry Front Door?

[OscarQ]

H and I are considering switching to a keypad entry on the front door. If you have one do you recommend it (and if so, what do you have)? Any issues or disadvantages? Thanks.

[calico]

Following, b/c I have similar questions.

[bullygirl979]

My sister put one in on her side door (door to garage) ten years ago. It's still working strong. I know, as I recently broke in to her garage using the original code

[OG Jo]

Hubs installed a Kevo lock on our front door. You can issue temporary "keys" via text or E-mail, so if you have, for example, a temporary worker or cleaning person you don't have to give them permanent access. He opens it with his finger as long as the app is open on his phone. We really like it, although I usually just use my key since I rarely use the front door and never have the app open.

www.homedepot.com/p/Kwikset-Kevo-2nd-Gen-Single-Cylinder-Satin-Nickel-Touch-to-Open-Bluetooth-Smart-Lock-Deadbolt-works-with-many-Smart-Devices-925-KEVO2-DB-15/207190042?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=sRGa7RTtr|dc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_111416162465_pkw__pmt__product_207190042_slid_&gclid=CNXO_eD84tMCFQcwaQodW8UL-A

[momin2013]

We had one in our previous house and I did like it; it was really handy to not have to have to get my keys out of my purse all the time.

My one caveat is to have a key either on you or hidden somewhere in case it ever doesn't work. Ours tended to stick sometimes (usually during the colder months) and it would have sucked to have been locked out. I mean, I always had my purse (and therefore a key) on me when I was driving somewhere, but if I was just heading out for a walk I always brought a key in my pocket just in case.

[heliocentric]

We have one on both of our doors. One (schlage) is older and has actual buttons that you press and the other is a flat screen that shows the numbers when you press it. I love the convenience of both, but somewhat prefer the older ones with the buttons.

older Schlage with buttons
Pro: easy to see the buttons, easy to use with gloves, long battery life
Cons: no fancy features, can only be programmed in person, need to enter code then turn lock

newer one with touchscreen (not sure brand):
Pro: easier to customize codes, has option for remote access with phone app & can set up temporary codes quickly, better looking, just enter code (no need to turn the lock)
Cons: hard to see the illuminated numbers when it's really sunny, touchscreen doesn't work with gloves, shorter battery life

[redheadk]

We have them on all exterior doors at this house (Schlage) and had them at our old house (Kwikset). The Kwikset ones could be opened remotely from our phones, as it I could turn the deadbolt using an app on my phone remotely. The Schlage ones we have do not do that (you can unlock it but someone has to be in front of the door to physically turn the deadbolt. It's pretty easy to set and unset codes so you can set codes for someone like a house/pet sitter then just disable once you don't need it anymore. I know the Schlage ones have been greatly updated since we bought ours so not sure what they are like anymore. The Schlage ones are nicer quality but we were happy with the Kwikset, too.

I'm not too worried about carrying a key but I can also just walk around to the back door.

We opted for ones with actual buttons, not a screen.

[Susie]

We have one on our garage door (actual keypad), and I love having it. I don't have to carry keys when I go out on my bike or running, friends only need a text to stop by and let our dogs out, our housekeeper doesn't have to keep track of a key, and if we ever have an issue we can change the code rather than having to give out new keys. I don't have any recs on specific ones for front doors though.

[Crystal]

I have the Kwikset Smartkey system on my front door. Love it so far. Installed almost a year ago and the batteries are original. This is the one with 2 numbers per key. It has a master code and you can do several temporary and guest codes. Also have a keypad on the garage door, but recently got MyQ Chamberlain (whatever it's called) so I can open my garage door with an app, which is nice as a backup if my batteries die or my lock freezes, which hasn't happened yet.

[mrsd2006]

We have one and I think it's one of the greatest inventions ever.

[aspentosh]

We have a Schlage (going on 5 years now) and it's awesome. It is one that has the option for keypad or key use, so we could give a key to someone or give a code. Codes are easy to add/remove.

[hbomdiggity]

I had a lockbox with a key at our last house that we used for the housekeeper and (trusted) contractors. And even my mom when she locked herself out.

[mrsukyankee]

I love ours. We have it on the house we're renting out and we had it put on our current home. We have a Yale lock and a Yale door (got the whole system). Honestly, I hope to never need a key again for a door. It makes everything easier to not have to remember a key.

[Deleted]

Yes, we have keypads on the front and back doors that must be 20+ years old but they work great and I love them so I'm not fumbling for keys and can let in our cat sitter. We have newer versions on our rental properties that we can change the lock to and they work great as well with the caveat that our tenant flipped out when the battery died on hers so definitely check those every few months.

[mrsjay]

We have a Schlage keypad on our door and it's amazing. I'll never go without one now that we've gotten use to it.

[msn06]

My BIL has one his front door for the deadbolt. He had someone pick up his dog for doggy daycare this past weekend. They locked the door handle because they didn't realize it was just the dead bolt on the key pad. BIL and FSIL did not have a key on them for the handle so they were locked out. I've heard they are great and we will be getting one for the house we are building but will also make sure we have our keys with us to be safe.

[shortcake2675]

I carry a key on my car keys and most often have them with me, but I've boosted a kid over the privacy fence to let us into the house after a friend locked our handle. I have a Schlage deadbolt that I have to turn, but I prefer that over a completely automated lock. We've never had it quit working and it gave lots of notice when the battery was low. I've changed the battery once or twice in 5 years. My dad's is maybe 10 years old and still works.

[TBM]

We have one on my studio that has the lever, keypad and fingerprint recognition. I love it. It was seriously life changing. I got it on Amazon, and I wish that I had seen it before we bought new door handles and deadbolts for all of our other doors.

We use the fingerprint option more than the keypad, but the keypad is easy to use and pretty easy to program for temporary access if we need someone to have access. We haven't had to replace the battery yet, but if the battery dies you can externally attach a 9 volt battery to open the door with the code or fingerprint if you don't have the key with you. Not that I carry around a 9 volt battery...lol.