Win Kwikset SmartKey Products Through the National “LiveSmart” Sweepstakes

Enter to win Kwikset SmartKey products and other great prizes!

According to BuildingOnline.com, Kwikset, the maker of the SmartKey, a re-key technology that lets homeowners re-key their own locks anytime without removing the door, recently launched the “LiveSmart” Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes will run through November 1, 2010 and aims to show parents and homeowners how easy “smart” home security is to manage and what it can do to protect your home.

Entrants have the chance to win one of six home giveaway packages ranging from Kwikset SmartKey products as well as other products for your home, to a iPad, to the grand prize of a Smart Car coupe.

According to the article on BuildingOnline.com, the most recent Unified Crime Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicates that there were over 2.2 million robberies reported in 2008, a 2% increase from 2007, 3.6% increase from 2004 and 5.8% increase from 1999. Last years inaugural American Security Study showed that 47% of homeowners did not change the locks on their home when the first moved in. One-third of homeowners have never changed or re-keyed their locks since moving in, which is startling since about half of homeowners reported that they routinely loan house keys to non-residents and previous owners frequently continue to carry old house keys.

These statistics played a part in motivating Kwikset to launch the “LiveSmart” Sweepstakes to raise awareness to homeowners the importance of home security in a fun way. The Kwikset SmartKey products have been very popular since they were introduced and Kwikset wants everyone to understand just how easy and affordable the products are to use to satisify their every day home security needs.

Enter the “LiveSmart” Sweepstakes here, and receive a chance to win one of these 6 fabulous prize packages.

Installing Your Own Home High Security Door Lock System

Installing high security door locks yourself is easier than ever.

According to a recent article in the New York Times, installing your own home security door locks system has been easier than ever before. In the past we used to rely on professional to come in and install our high security residential door lock systems, but now it’s a thing of the past, which is cutting our security costs and making high security devices accessible to the every day average Joe.

Some new high security door locks even allow users to monitor their home from afar using a laptop or smartphone, as long as there is an Internet connection. There are many choices when shopping for an easy-to-install security system, but the easiest measure to take when you want to step up your home security is to upgrade your door locks. These two high security door locks mentioned in the NY Times article are perfect for protecting your pad.

Schlage LiNk: The Schlage LiNk offers a series of push-button locks that are able to communiate through a wireless connection with a base station that is placed inside your home. This allows you to lock and unlock the door remotely from a computer or smartphone with an Internet connection. The LiNk also lets you connect to camera and lighting controls in your home from a far. So you can turn off the lights while you aren’t home as well as view what’s going on in your home in real-time. You can also use the camera to see who is at the door and unlock it remotely. Something that would definitely come in handy to let the kids in from school while you’re at work or when you’re on vacation and you want to let a neighbor in to feed the cat. The Schlage LiNk starter kit is only about $300, and it’s easy enough to install yourself so there won’t be installation fees attached.

Kwikset is coming out with a similar kit that will be available in late July that will cost about $350, according to the NY Times. This system will include a keychain with remote controls so you can unlock your door from a few feet away. Also you can connect to the lock online like the Schlage LiNk. If someone unlocks your door, the Kwikset lock will let you know by email, text or phone and there’s also video surveillance available.

Both locks will be able to make temporary codes. Since the models have keypads, you can make codes for guests or service people then when they leave you can delete the code. It would definitely come in handy to a landlord who has tenants coming and going often, like in a college atmosphere.

These high security door locks will definitely upgrade your home and make you feel much safer. You won’t have to be paranoid at work worrying that you forgot to lock the door because you’ll be able to double check it no matter where you are. For more information on new security systems, read the full NY Times article.

8 Steps to How to Install Bifold Door Hardware in Your Home

Installing your bifold doors with the right hardware is easy. Photo compliments of eBuild.com.

Homeowners can not always rely on a professional to install everything they want or need in their home, especially in this economy. Bifold doors are stylish and practical, especially when you are looking for a free flowing access from room to room. No matter which room you choose to put your bifold doors in, this guide from EHow.com will help you install them quickly and easily using the hardware you purchase from the store.

Step 1: Measure the width and height of the door opening, then purchase bifold doors that have a combinded width of one inch less than the width of the door opening and 1-2 inches shorter than the height of the doors.

Step 2: Install the top metal rack that came with the bifold door hardware. Make sure to screw the track to the top of the door frame. Install the side of the track with the adjustable plate closest to the sidewall. This will be the hinged-side of the door.

Step 3: Mouth the L-shaped floor brackets from the bifold door hardware kit in a place where the sidewall and floor come together. Put part of the brackets with the cut out on the floor of the door opening and attach the other side of the brackets to the sidewalls.

Step 4: Put dowels into the predrilled holes on each bifold door. Put the dowel with the screw assembly into the hole at the bottom of the door on the side closest to the sidewall. Then put the dowel with the spring assembly in the hole at the top of the door on the side closest to the sidewall. The dowel with no assembly should go into the hole at the top of the door on the side furthest from the sidewall. Tap the dowels into place with a hammer.

Step 5: It’s finally time to install the bifold doors. Put the dowls on the top of the door into the track first then push the door upward and guide the bottom dowel into the L-shaped bracket on the floor. To adjust the height of the bifold doors, turn the screw of the bottom dowel to raise or lower them until you get them where you want.

Step 6: Install the bifold door handles. Find the center point of the door panel and mark with a pencil. Drill a hole and screw the knob into place.

Congratulations, you just installed bifold doors! The only thing left to do is clean up your hardware and test the doors by opening and closing and make adjustments as needed. Enjoy the stylish new edition to your home. For more information, read the full EHow.com directions.