Smart Lock Installation in Nashville, TN

Will your door take a smart lock?

Census estimates put 25.9 percent of Nashville's housing in buildings from 2010 or later, and exterior doors from that era usually come bored for the standard deadbolt that most smart deadbolts are built to replace. The main checks are door thickness, backset and whether the bolt lines up with the strike.

Older doors are less predictable. One with a mortise lock needs a smart lock made for mortise hardware, or a different plan. Metro's historic preservation overlays, including Edgefield and Germantown, review repairs and alterations to existing buildings. If fitting a lock means cutting the door or changing visible trim, check with the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission first. This is general information, not legal advice.

Approvals in condos, townhomes and apartments

The unit door often answers to someone else.

• Condos and HOAs. Association rules may cover what can be mounted on a unit door, and the lobby, garage and elevator systems belong to the building. Get approval in writing.
• Renters. The lease governs lock changes. Ask the landlord in writing, and settle whether they need a code or a key.

Rain, humidity and power

NOAA describes abundant precipitation in Tennessee. A keypad on an uncovered porch takes rain and direct sun, so choose a model made for outdoor use, and keep the batteries in mind.

• Replace batteries when the first warning appears, not the last.
• Learn how your model takes emergency power if the batteries die.
• Keep a working mechanical key, stored outside the house with someone you trust. Test it once a season.

What to include in a request

Photos of the door face and edge with the current lock, the lock brand, whether the building or landlord has approved the change, and whether the other exterior doors should match on one key through lock rekeying. The housing figures used above are listed on the Nashville page.