Start with the deadbolt grade
Deadbolts are graded by ANSI/BHMA. Grade 1 is the highest residential and commercial rating — it means the lock survived serious force and torque testing. Grade 2 is solid for most homes. Grade 3 is the minimum and what you'll find on budget hardware at the big-box store.
A Grade 1 deadbolt, properly installed into a door and frame reinforced with a strike plate and 3-inch screws, is a genuinely strong physical barrier. No smart lock replaces that foundation.
Where smart locks shine
Smart locks win on convenience: keyless entry, temporary codes for guests or contractors, activity logs, and remote locking from your phone. For a family where everyone forgets keys, that's a real quality-of-life upgrade.
Many smart locks are actually a deadbolt with a motorized and electronic layer on top — so the physical security of the bolt itself still matters.
Where smart locks fall short
Batteries die. If the lock loses power and there's no key override, you can lock yourself out of your own smart home. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth outages can break remote features at the worst moment.
Cheaper smart locks sometimes use lower-grade bolt assemblies. A $300 connected lock with a Grade 3 bolt is not stronger than a $40 Grade 1 deadbolt — it just has a screen.
Our recommendation
If security is your priority, install a Grade 1 deadbolt first. If convenience matters too, choose a smart lock that uses a Grade 1 or Grade 2 bolt and keeps a physical key backup.
We install and configure August, Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, and Kwikset Halo systems across Florissant. Give us a call and we'll match the lock to your door, your budget, and how you actually live.
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