Outdoor Smart Garden Gate Lock

If you’ve been searching for a smart lock designed specifically for outdoor gates, you’ve likely discovered that options are very scarce. While smart locks for house doors are abundant, finding one suitable for a garden or side gate is difficult. This article explores why this is the case and offers practical alternatives to secure your gate effectively.

Why Aren’t There Smart Locks for Outdoor Gates

Most smart locks are engineered for residential doors, where only the exterior side faces the elements. The interior components are typically housed indoors, protected from weather conditions. Applying these locks to gates exposes both sides to rain, humidity and temperature fluctuations.

Additionally, gates often have structural differences compared to standard doors. They may feature wider gaps, varying thicknesses, and materials like metal or wood that expand and contract with weather changes. These factors complicate the installation and reliable operation of smart locks on gates.

Why Standard Smart Locks Fall Short on Gates

1. Weather Vulnerability: The internal ‘smart’ components of smart locks aren’t weatherproof.
2. Connectivity Issues: Gates situated at a distance may fall outside the effective range of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals, leading to unreliable remote access. However there are long range smart wireless technologies (e.g. LoRa) that could overcome this issue
3. Fitting: Garden gates do not have standard sizes, which makes it difficult to design a lock that is compatible with a wide range of gates.

Practical Alternatives for Securing Your Gate

While dedicated smart locks for gates don’t exist, several solutions can enhance security and convenience:

Mechanical Keyless Locks

Mechanical combination locks provide keyless entry without relying on electronics. These locks are designed to handle the structural nuances of gates and are less susceptible to weather-related issues……but they aren’t smart

Smart Padlocks

Smart outdoor padlocks offer a portable solution with features like Bluetooth connectivity and fingerprint recognition. Smart padlocks are water-resistant and can be controlled via a smartphone app. They might not be an ideal solution if you require unlocking from both sides of the gate.

Protective Covers for Existing Smart Locks

If you prefer to use a standard smart lock, consider installing a weatherproof cover to shield the interior components from the elements. There are videos on YouTube showing how this can be achieved

Conclusion

While the market lacks smart locks specifically designed for outdoor gates, several viable alternatives can be used.