Key-free confidence: Rediscovering the value of mechanical locks in the digital age
Though digital products are today commonplace, John Frazer, Country Manager at Codelocks Canada reflects on the benefits of mechanical coded locks for a range of applications of growing importance to the Canadian market.
We’re living in an era dominated by digital technology, so it might seem counterintuitive to champion non-digital products. Yet, across Canada, we’re seeing a wealth of applications – from remote industrial sites to bustling ski resorts – in which the features of mechanical coded locks make them ideal for balancing operational demands with convenience and control.
Valuing mechanical locks isn’t about rejecting innovation. Digital locks have their place in the access control market. They are particularly suited to applications like co-working spaces or offices that need centrally managed access control integrated into a building management system (BMS), for example.
Instead, championing mechanical locks is about recognizing that they represent reliability, simplicity and durability. And for many Canadian businesses, maintenance teams and property managers, it’s these dependable and convenient solutions that work best.
Tackling industrial applications with ease
Canada’s industrial sector operates in some of the world’s harshest conditions, from remote utilities in the prairies to mining in British Columbia. Yet sites like these can result in problems for the teams that have to work on them.
At some sites, multiple contractors and maintenance crews need regular access to monitor and repair critical assets. Others that are incredibly remote may need visiting less frequently. In both scenarios, harsh weather conditions – ranging well above and below zero – demand highly tolerant hardware.
In scenarios like this, having reliable access control that works regardless of the weather, power, or network availability – and without cumbersome keys – is paramount. Teams can’t afford to turn up at a location to find they can’t access a substation, for example, because the keyed door lock or electronic lock hasn’t stood up to the weather. And neither can contractors afford the delays caused by swapping keys between teams, increasing the time and cost of maintenance works. This is why, in industrial applications, facilities managers still depend on weather-resistant coded mechanical locks that can withstand the conditions, and give multiple users effortless, keyless, reliable access.
Locks built for leisure
Canada’s industrial sector is big business – so it’s clear why having the right access control for critical infrastructure can prevent expensive errors in lots of ways. But so too is the nation’s leisure sector, in particular skiing and water sports.
There are almost 300 ski resorts in Canada, and its ski seasons see over 20 million individual trips a year. Each of those visits involves someone spending upwards of $75 for a ski pass, and guests expect to have access to changing rooms and storage facilities for their skis, snowboards, and more. Ski instructors and other staff need storage for their equipment, as do teams renting out gear. Meanwhile, cabins and chalets need simple sharable access to cope with vast numbers of guests.
Mechanical coded locks help ski resort management teams meet the needs of guests and staff alike. There’s no Wi-Fi or power infrastructure needed, so they can operate anywhere across a resort without costly upgrades, and their hard-wearing construction makes them ideal for the cold environment. Shareable codes can give entire teams or guests access to certain spaces, saving the need to share keys, and eliminating the risk of losing them.
Of course, skiing isn’t Canada’s only outdoors activity. Water sports are also popular across the nation’s lakes, shores, and 900-plus marinas. Millions of canoeing, kayaking and boating excursions are booked each year. On top of the need to store equipment and belongings, marinas need to control access to gangways to ensure safety near the water and manage who has access to private moorings.
Marinas benefit from mechanical coded locks in much the same way as ski resorts. However, because they face constant exposure to moisture – and sometimes salt spray – the right locking solutions need enhancements to withstand both. Some mechanical coded locks, like Codelocks’ Marine by Codelocks range, have sealed mechanisms and specialized coating to resist corrosion.
Convenience and control in booming short-term rentals
Canada’s short-term rental market has exploded in recent years, with major destinations like Toronto, Vancouver, and Whistler leading growth. Together, these three hubs alone generated around $850 million in revenue between 2024-25.
Managing short-term rentals can be difficult, especially in successful properties with high occupancy rates. Guests, and staff such as cleaning teams, need regular and easy access, and landlords can’t always be on standby to drop off and pick up keys.
Eliminating keys gets rid of the problem of key handoffs, saving landlords and property managers a lot of time. It also cuts out the need to manage lockboxes outside the property, which can sometimes bring unwanted attention.
Self-check-in improves the guest experience dramatically and eliminates scheduling conflicts and wait times. Guests do not have to worry about losing a key, and the system works reliably regardless of weather conditions that might impact outdoor lockboxes.
In addition to guest entry, mechanical coded locks can also be used to secure cleaning supply cupboards, ensuring that staff have easy but controlled access while keeping these spaces off-limits to guests. Similarly, access control solutions for gated pools, gardens, or shared amenities can improve both security and convenience, preventing unauthorized use while allowing seamless entry for registered guests.
For landlords or property managers with growing portfolios, all these small differences add up to significant time and money savings. Mechanical access control solutions offer greater oversight and reduce risks without adding friction to the guest experience.
Convenience and control in booming short-term rentals
Canada’s short-term rental market has exploded in recent years, with major destinations like Toronto, Vancouver, and Whistler leading growth. Together, these three hubs alone generated around $850 million in revenue between 2024-25.
Managing short-term rentals can be difficult, especially in successful properties with high occupancy rates. Guests, and staff such as cleaning teams, need regular and easy access, and landlords can’t always be on standby to drop off and pick up keys.
Eliminating keys gets rid of the problem of key handoffs, saving landlords and property managers a lot of time. It also cuts out the need to manage lockboxes outside the property, which can sometimes bring unwanted attention.
Self-check-in improves the guest experience dramatically and eliminates scheduling conflicts and wait times. Guests do not have to worry about losing a key, and the system works reliably regardless of weather conditions that might impact outdoor lockboxes.
In addition to guest entry, mechanical coded locks can also be used to secure cleaning supply cupboards, ensuring that staff have easy but controlled access while keeping these spaces off-limits to guests. Similarly, access control solutions for gated pools, gardens, or shared amenities can improve both security and convenience, preventing unauthorized use while allowing seamless entry for registered guests.
For landlords or property managers with growing portfolios, all these small differences add up to significant time and money savings. Mechanical access control solutions offer greater oversight and reduce risks without adding friction to the guest experience.