Smart door locks are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. They provide convenience, security, and peace of mind to homeowners. However, installing a smart lock on an interior door is different from installing one on an exterior door. In this article, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions for installing a smart lock on an interior door and cover the benefits of these devices.
Part 1: Benefits of Smart Door Locks for Interior Doors
Before we dive into the installation process, let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of adding a smart lock to your interior doors:
- Convenience: With a smart lock installed on your interior doors, you don’t have to worry about carrying multiple keys around with you or fumbling with traditional locks when your hands are full.
- Security: A properly installed smart lock can be just as secure as a traditional lock – if not more so! You can set up access codes that allow only authorized individuals to enter specific rooms or areas.
- Peace of Mind: Whether you’re away from home or just in another part of the house, having control over who has access to specific areas can give you added peace of mind.
- Home Automation Integration: Many modern smart locks integrate with popular home automation systems like Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub.
Part 2: Choosing the Right Smart Door Lock
Before beginning installation it is important to select the right product based on features such as compatibility with Siri/Alexa/Google Assistant/ease-of-use/value-for-money/touch controls/keyless entry via smartphone etc.
Here are some factors that should be considered while choosing a locking device:
- Compatibility
- Usability
- Product quality
- Price range
It’s vital that users choose hardware which is compatible with their existing automation system(s).
Part 3 : Step by Step Guide for Installing Smart Locks on Interior Doors
Here’s a step-by-step guide for installing a smart lock on an interior door:
Step 1: Gather the tools and hardware
You will need:
– The smart lock device itself
– A screwdriver (usually Phillips or flat)
– Screws to fix the plates on both sides of your door.
– Batteries
It’s important that you check the installation instructions provided by your specific lock manufacturer beforehand as requirements may vary based on model.
Step 2: Selecting which side of the door to be mounted
After unboxing, you will need to decide where each component needs to go. Normally, they are located on both sides of an interior door — one is called “interior escutcheon” and another is known as “exterior escutcheon”.
Step 3: Remove existing deadbolt or doorknob if applicable.
If there is an existing deadbolt or traditional doorknob installed in this area—remove it. This might require unscrewing additional screws before you can access any mounting holes.
Step 4: Place exterior and interior escutcheons
Place two outer triangular-shaped pieces along with two inner circular-shaped backings inside them at either end within holes created by previous knob plate(s). Use screws from your screw packet to attach plates securely in place.
Step 5 : Install batteries
The very next step involves inserting batteries into the smart locking device ensuring that they fit exactly as per product description. In most cases , cover’s backside would come off completely after removing battery compartment lid available at bottom-most part .
Note: Few products like August have rechargeable batteries therefore users may not need to replace but charge occasionally.
Step 6 : Reconnect Front/Back Assembly
Line up both parts -the front half with keypad entry buttons,on outside part & conductive contacts visible inside-with back(or interior) assembly. Keep it in position, but remember not to tighten screws right away.
Step 7 : Test
Right after locking assembly has been assembled and battery inserted users can begin testing by ensuring all connections are secure (screws tightened down). If the smart lock device doesn’t function as intended or there is some kind of malfunction while testing, refer back to manual or seek professional help for troubleshooting tips/basic assistance.
It’s recommended that you test the new smart lock before completely finishing installation process – this ensures that if any issue was to arise ,it could be resolved in a timely fashion without compromising security of your home.
Part 4: Conclusion
Smart door locks have come a long way since their initial release and are becoming increasingly popular as part of most households. As we have discussed above, installing a smart lock on an interior door is different from an exterior one . However with proper guidance & steps anyone can follow successfully install these new era devices onto their doors .
By following this step-by-step guide for installing a smart lock on an interior door, homeowners can take advantage of the convenience and security benefits offered by these devices. Remember that selecting the right product based on compatibility/usability/price range etc will ensure year-round robust performance making them worth investment !
FAQs
Here are three popular FAQs related to installing smart door locks for interior doors along with their answers:
Q: Do I need any special tools or skills to install a smart lock on my interior door?
A: Most smart locks come with installation instructions that can be easily followed by anyone with basic DIY skills and tools such as a screwdriver, measuring tape, and drill. However, it’s important to note that some models may require additional wiring or modifications if they’re not battery operated. Make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before attempting the installation and don’t hesitate to hire a professional if you feel unsure.
Q: Can I install a smart lock on any type of interior door?
A: Smart locks are generally designed to fit standard-sized residential doors (usually 1-3/8″ to 2″ thick), so make sure your specific model is compatible with your door thickness and type (such as solid core or hollow core). Additionally, some smart locks may have specific compatibility requirements based on the type of locking mechanism already installed in the door.
Q: What should I do if my pre-existing deadbolt hole does not line up properly with the new smart lock I’m trying to install?
A: This problem is fairly common when installing new deadbolts especially thicker ones which may have different sizes than previous models. You will usually need one of two approaches – widening/deepening its original bore using appropriate drilling bits/saws OR adding “deadbolt shims” – thin metal plates that sit between your new bolt assembly plate/backplate (subassembly) & existing wooden holes , compensating differences between latch positions at top/bottom of an old one vs wider/smaller backplates respectively.
It is advisable you check manufacturer’s instructions firsts since this process might void warranty of some brands/models without correct preparation/error-correction steps taken into account
