Keypad garage entry, thoughts?

[BackTracker]

My buddy got one of those keypad entry system to open his garage when he locks himself out of the house. Given that I locked myself out of the house yesterday..again, I'm looking at various keypad locks. Has anyone had any issues with those or know them to be a security risk? It looks like it would be pretty easy to break the thing off and "hotwire" for a lack of a better term the garage. Thoughts?

 

[Tech Guy]

Are you talking about a digital keypad mounted on a man door or one to operate the garage door opener ?

 

[BackTracker]

Both actually, but more the one to operate the garage door opener from the outside.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B0WKV0/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Also this,

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NJJ1MQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Tech Guy]

Liftmaster ones are good for the garage door opener and you cannot hot wire them if you rip them off the wall. If you want a digital keypad for the man door, go with the Schlage digital deadbolt. Well built, strong with a full 1" throw on the deadbolt and batteries will last you about 3-4 years of everyday use. Here is the link for Schlage:

http://consumer.schlage.com/Products/Pages/category-landing.aspx?category=Electronic+Keypad+Locks

 

[Kevin54]

You can't hotwire them. Most are wireless. I picked mine up at Lowes. Took all of 10 minutes to mount it and program it to the opener.

 

[DeuceDude]

I have a Kwikset smart code electronic deadbolt on the man door. Locks all by itself and code to get in. (key backup)
No worries about someone forgetting to lock a door!
This thing is the next best thing to sliced bread!
Wouldn't buy any other deadbolt!
A tiny bit expensive BUT worth every penney.
Cheers!

 

[harvero]

I used to have one. Took down after I learned that the neighbour's kid had learned the entry code by watching us. It was a genie pad for one of the garage doors.

 

[truckin23]

I have the genie on garage have had it for 10 years with no problems have it mounted on side of garage away from prying eyes.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

We've got a key pad. It's convenient, especially for when I go running. I don't take keys. Pop the code and I'm in and out. We still keep a house key outside somewhere just in case and on our key ring like normal.

As the for code, treat it like any other password. Change it to keep it more secure. Lock the interior door. Keep a garage door remote in the vehicle (take it with you when you go out and bring it in at when you get home).

The keypad is useful. Once you get one they're nice to have.

 

[pattenp]

I have key-less entry on my garage door and like it. But no need to worry about security. If someone is determined to break in to your house/garage it's going to happen, keyed or key-less.

 

[NUTTSGT]

We have a keypad for the garage doo opener like most people at home.

At the FD, we had the keypad door knobs on the front and back doors. We keep the station secured at all time. They work pretty good but I believe they all have a default code.

 

[lowcountrygamecock]

I just put the wireless keypad on my shop garage door and love it. I like being able to go out the door of the house and get into the shop to get to the lawnmower without having to lug keys around while I'm working in the yard. My next step is to put one on my garage doors to the house garage. Wasn't sure if i would like it before but since having it out in the shop I want it on the house too.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I thought that having a wireless keypad was pretty standard. I actually have a fingerprint reader for the door opener. No codes. It was made by Liftmaster. I use it with my Liftmaster 3800. My wife hates it b/c swipes too fast or forgets which finger she programmed. I will replace it eventually with a keypad so she quits complaining.

 

[R6 Racer]

We have used a wireless keypad for years. The one we have accepts 2 different codes so the one keypad can open either door. As GirlnAgarage suggested we change the code every 6 weeks or so. I wouldn't be without it.

Steve

 

[Macgyver_ga]

I have one that came with my chamberlain opener but I never installed it. With thousands of dollars of tools and equipment in my garage, I don't feel safe installing it. Even though I live in a quiet neighborhood and have accidentally left my door open overnight on many occassions and nothing was stolen, I just have this weird paranoia of having one of those installed.

 

[Tech Guy]

I have the Schlage digital keypads on all my doors of the house and garage. Havent needed a key in over four years. The one on the front door sits in the beating sun all day and is sometimes hot to the touch but has never failed. Just replaced the four year old battery last week and this is a heavily used door.

 

[upndown]

with any garage door opener keyless or not, always make sure you have access to a house key! if the battery dies, power goes out or your garage door opener takes a dump.. you aint getting in!! just sayn

 

[1991Syclone]

I have one and don't feel any less secure with it installed. I've seen enough videos on the net to realize that with a garage door opener installed it's a hell of a lot easier to get inside without a key than if you didn't have one.

 

[Bennie]

As far as the man doors go I had a keyless Kwikset deadbolt and now I have a keyless Schlage deadbolt and 2 keyless Schlage handles.

I LOVE them. The Schlage units are better (all metal) construction, 10 number keys instead of 5 (on Kwikset). I'm sure they are all solid enough though, that they are not the weak point if someone really wants to get in. My dad has my old (3 months) Kwikset on his garage now.

 

[Tech Guy]

As far as the man doors go I had a keyless Kwikset deadbolt and now I have a keyless Schlage deadbolt and 2 keyless Schlage handles.

I LOVE them. The Schlage units are better (all metal) construction, 10 number keys instead of 5 (on Kwikset). I'm sure they are all solid enough though, that they are not the weak point if someone really wants to get in. My dad has my old (3 months) Kwikset on his garage now.

As a licensed Master Locksmith for over 30 years, Kwikset is by far the worst product on the market IMO. Schlage seems to be the best for the digital keypads. As Bennie mentioned above, all metal and they use a mechanical action to throw or retract the bolt where many residential ones us a small motor and nylon gears for bolt operation. The Schlage also gives you a two week low battery warning and will still work during that time. I cant keep them in stock they move so fast and never a complaint.

 

[AndyL]

A lot of the newer openers have battery backup options y'know

As far as the keypads - just make sure you have clean fingers, and don't leave the cover up (over time, finger oils + uv can make it really obvious which 4 buttons you keep pressing) - and like anything protect your PIN... Changing it occasionally can help too...

 

[Nowater]

I just installed Schlage combination key-keypad locks on my house and garage, so I can't comment on endurance, but the wife loves them. Push the button and turn the handhold to lock the door. Heavy duty metal for the deadbolt to insert into for security with provisions for three inch screws into a stud or block wall to increase the strength. My garage is detached and I don't need a key to get in. The units take numerous codes, so if I want everyone can have their own (easy to remember for them) code.

I like them.

 

[malibu101]

As far as the keypads - just make sure you have clean fingers, and don't leave the cover up (over time, finger oils + uv can make it really obvious which 4 buttons you keep pressing) - and like anything protect your PIN... Changing it occasionally can help too...

I was goingto say this too. A year or so ago I was waiting by a buddies garage for him to come home. Standing around bored I opened the wireless box and saw 4 dirty buttons. A minute later his door was open.
He came home to see me sitting in his garage with the door open and he was like WTF how did you get in here.
He changed the code to something other than the 4 dirty buttons, but kept the 4 buttons dirty to throw off people.

 

[Tech Guy]

I just installed Schlage combination key-keypad locks on my house and garage, so I can't comment on endurance, but the wife loves them. Push the button and turn the handhold to lock the door. Heavy duty metal for the deadbolt to insert into for security with provisions for three inch screws into a stud or block wall to increase the strength. My garage is detached and I don't need a key to get in. The units take numerous codes, so if I want everyone can have their own (easy to remember for them) code.

I like them.

The Schlage's are excellent and the keys have a special coating on them so they dont get dirty or oily. After four years you still cant tell what code I use and the finsih is still bright brass after sitting in the sun all those years.

 

[PeterT]

I have the schlage on both my shop and garage man door and they are flawless - both have been up over 12 mths. No issues and no complaints other then I had both the schlage door handle keypad lock and schlage deadbolt keypad lock,, and they would not fit on my door holes together.

 

[onelochevy]

Just do what I do....just use a deadbolt on your front door. No lock on the knob. Impossible to lock yourself out.

 

[OldracerJones]

I have one on all 3 of my doors to the shop, works very well and am thinking of putting one on the front door of the house.

 

[Roots]

As a licensed Master Locksmith for over 30 years, Kwikset is by far the worst product on the market IMO. Schlage seems to be the best for the digital keypads.

I had a Kwikset on my front door, when I first bought my house. I accidentally locked myself out one day, and was shocked at how quickly I was able to break the lock from the outside and actually disassemble it to get in my place. Literally, about 5 minutes. I have Schlage now, and it certainly seems more robust.

 

[Mstrfxit12]

I've had the keypad for my garage door for ages and love it. One of the things i love about it is if I have to have someone go by the house for something I can just give them the code. if its a service guy or something I just change the code when I get home.

Not to jump off topic but if your looking at a garage door opener at the same time try and get one that has a wireless deactivate feature. I shut my wireless off everyt night when I lock up the house. Doing this prevents some from using the opener in your car to just open up your house when your asleep. And it does happen, a friend had her garage emptied while they slept and that was exactly how the burglars got in.

 

[homeputter]

I doubt if the schlage digital deadbolts are made for a garage door if you don't have a regular door entrance, but you should lock the garage door tract with a lock or clamp - especially if your garage door has windows.
There has been a series of garage buglaries around here by thieves removing a garage door window and reaching in and pulling the garage door manual opener release handle. Then they just lift the door and remove your stuff
Twenty-five years ago, we bought my son one of those remote controled cars to play with. When he played with it out in the street, it opened our neighbors garage door. I am sure they have better technology now.

 

[Nowater]

Just to clarify, the locks I put in went on the man doors, not the vehicle door. That one is kept locked from the inside.

 

[HemiRambler]

I think AndyL makes a GREAT point - about the dirt. When using my keypad - AFTER I push the correct code I always push several other buttons to ensure I leave that "dirt trail" on ALL of the buttons!!!!

Also I don't think anyone is more paranoid than me - well OK maybe some of you are but not alot ;-)

So here's what I have done:
First off neither garage door opener works with the remote - I have one commericial roll up door - that I can operate with the pushbuttons - I set it up this way - you enter the code and that trips a relay - that relay enables the roll up door "open" switch - it doesn't automatically open the overhead door it just arms the switch to work. The "close" switch is always activated.
The relay is on a timer and only holds open for 20 seconds or so. That same relay activates the electronic door strike on the man door. I installed a commercial electronic door strike on my man door - if it's good enough for businesses with millions of dollars in inventory - it's probably OK for my little garage.
Next the other garage door is only functional when the lights are on. I don't trust the remotes - paranoid remember!? ;-)
So I have this all mounted in a weather tight box - It has the keypad and 3 switches. The "OPEN" switch only works the commercial rollup door. The 2nd switch (again only works when the relay is "ON") allows you to turn the lights ON or OFF - it activates a special relay in the light circuit. The 3rd switch closes the roll up door and again always works.
To open the front garage door - you need to turn those lights on and THEN use the remote OR a hardwired switch inside the garage.
I recently installed a commercial door closer on the man door just to ensure that it always closes and activates that door strike.

Also I set it up so that I can reach the buttons while seated in my car (drive up to it)- so while not exactly as convenient as a "normal" remote. I think it is much more secure. My buddy has had his garage door open when the weather changes - or someone else's code worked etc. Another buddy has told me he did some experiments with a RF generator and was amazed how many doors he could open - rolling code or not. So I feel my paranoia is partly justified.

Also I used mostly commercial pieces - you can piece part your system together from Ebay and have something far superior to what you will find at Lowe's or Home Depot.

YMMV

As far as the keypads - just make sure you have clean fingers, and don't leave the cover up (over time, finger oils + uv can make it really obvious which 4 buttons you keep pressing) .

 

[nehog]

We've had key-less entry on the house and garage for years. No need to say how nice it is to no have to worry about lost keys, not have to carry a bunch of keys, and know that the door is always going to be locked when it should be.

 

[rlitman]

I think AndyL makes a GREAT point - about the dirt. When using my keypad - AFTER I push the correct code I always push several other buttons to ensure I leave that "dirt trail" on ALL of the buttons!!!!

So I'm not the only one to do this. I only have a keypad on the roll up door, occasionally but when I've got particularly grungy fingers and I'm near the keypad, I'll give all the buttons a touch.

At my in-laws, dirt wasn't the issue, but the silk-screened lettering was wearing off certain buttons more than others. That was easily fixed by scraping the surface of the other buttons with a knife, until all were worn evenly,

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have the Schlage digital keypads on all my doors of the house and garage. Havent needed a key in over four years. The one on the front door sits in the beating sun all day and is sometimes hot to the touch but has never failed. Just replaced the four year old battery last week and this is a heavily used door.

I installed this lock in January two years ago. I used to keep the key to the shop in a magnetic key box behind the electric meter. It got old digging out the key and putting it up, so I bought this right after the price came down. I liked it so much I later bought the brass version for the back door on the house.

I do change the 9v batteries in them once a year, same time I change the ones in the smoke detectors, usually at Christmas time.

The numbers are not printed on top, their is a clear coating on top, and after two years, they look as clean as when new. I programmed in about ten different combinations. A couple for myself, others for neighbors and friends that I have need to be able to access the house or shop sometimes. No one is close by so I'm not worried about anyone seeing the combination.

I never have built an awning for the man door, so I installed the flap to keep the weather off the lock. I installed the hot dipped galvanize pull handle because the new lock was difficult to get to fully lock in the door jam. Took a lot of pulling and I was afraid of damaging the $$$ lock mechanism, so I added the handle. No more than I installed it, than the door began latching easily and fully

Charles

Here is THE THREAD where I first posted about these locks and a "security sign" I have in the driveway.

 

[DeuceDude]

My reasoning on Schlage vs Kwikset keypad deadbolts and why I chose Kwikset...
While I fully agree that Schlage makes the higher quality unit, It doesn't lock automatically. If they want to get in they will, with either lock. The Kwikset eliminates the possibility of entry through a door that was inadvertently left unlocked.
Did I remember to lock the door??? Don't have to...
Motorized deadbolts are the answer my friends, now we just need one built like a Mack Truck!
And a Mack Truck to run over the dirtball that climbs through the window would be nice!
P.S. I built my garage without windows, I'm slowly wising up

 

[nehog]

I installed this lock in January two years ago. ...

My reasoning on Schlage vs Kwikset keypad deadbolts and why I chose Kwikset...
While I fully agree that Schlage makes the higher quality unit, It doesn't lock automatically. ...

The entryset in the first quote is what I have on my shop. And, yes, it locks automatically so there is no risk that the door will be left unlocked.

Just for the record, that entryset is a great piece of work, can be programmed with multiple codes (so you can create a code for all doors, and another code for only some doors, which allows someone to get into the garage but not the house, for example) and it is secure.

 

[DeuceDude]

The entryset in the first quote is what I have on my shop. And, yes, it locks automatically so there is no risk that the door will be left unlocked.

Just for the record, that entryset is a great piece of work, can be programmed with multiple codes (so you can create a code for all doors, and another code for only some doors, which allows someone to get into the garage but not the house, for example) and it is secure.

The Deadbolt lock from Schlage, unlike yours, will not lock itself, you have to manually do it.
If I'm not mistaken, my Kwikset will do multiple codes and warn of low battery just like yours.
Battery's last a long time BTW.
Yours is a very nice piece BTW.

 

[what have i done]

We Love ours. Wireless quick easy to install and Program. We use the same code as our parents a 100 miles away. when they come to town if we arent home from work yet, they can let themselves in or vice/versa

I hate dealing with Keys

 

[mpire]

I have the genie keypad on my garage door.

My code is also 15 characters long, so it would take the kid next door a while to learn the code.