Schlage Encode Review

As promised when I installed the new door last autumn, I'm moving ahead with a review of our smart deadbolt: Schlage Encode.  This product was not sponsored in anyway, and all experiences are fully my own.  

So far, it's been a great addition to our front entry.  For the first time since moving in, we actually have a deadbolt that works!  And with our precocious three-year-olds... this one is definitely keeping them in while giving the big kids a little more flexibility as they get older.  We mostly use the basic function with a programmable code to get into the house, and a simple tap on the lock button to secure the door when we leave.  With the antique doorknob and some aggressive winter winds, we also relied on the deadbolt to keep the door tightly closed this winter.

While I didn't choose this for its smart functions, I can definitely see these coming in handy with many different circumstances.  If we needed to offer access to our electricians when we rewired -and weren't staying at home- or to give temporary access for the kids' friends or a dog-sitter, it's good to know that this can be an addition to a smart home package that still has secure access through our WiFi system.  But there are really some big reasons why I went with this smart lock versus other options on the market and those made by Schlage.  

The first, is Schlage.  I'm always a fan of companies that back their products.  It's really important to me that what I put into my home is supported by the companies that developed the technology.  This helps to ensure that the innovations involved in development are really to my benefit.  Schlage's limited warranty on finish and mechanical lock lasts a lifetime, and the technological components are warrantied for three years.  

The mechanical lock was a huge benefit for me.  I wanted to be sure that if there was ever an empty battery or a problem with the technology locking up (especially with the severity of our winters) that the lock would still function. To clarify, the technology worked just fine even at our Minnesota bottom temperatures, but I'm always thinking about the "what if".  I even had the key pinned to match our current locks, making it even easier for us to use throughout the house. 

The last big reason why we went specifically with their Encode model is style.  Finding a modern lock that has the technology our family needs and still fits with the style of our historic architecture was very important.  The square profile and bronze finish match the original hardware very well, and the slim interior control box doesn't overpower the interior knob.  The whole deadbolt fits tightly to the door, and doesn't wiggle or move at all.