Even Doors and Windows Can Now Be Smart
The next boom in smart technology products is aimed at builders and new construction. It was only a matter of time, but smart doors and windows are now a reality. Windows and doors used to be a challenge in a smart home. Sure, you could have a smart lock and window and door sensors, but actually opening and closing was left to smart garage doors. But recently, Marvin , a longtime manufacturer of traditional doors and windows, announced that it is expanding its line of smart products. They join Masonite , another traditional door manufacturer, which has had the only smart door on the market until now.
Smart entrance doors are here
Last year, Masonite released the M-PWR smart entry door, which can be ordered from Home Depot. It plugs into the home’s electrical system, so it’s likely part of a new build, and it already comes with a Ring doorbell and Yale smart lock. Since it’s connected to a power source, you’ll never run out of battery in any part, and according to Masonite, you can simply plug it into a light source or plug nearby. The doors are made from fiberglass and come with other smart features such as motion-activated lighting. Prices start at $3,500 and go up to over $6,500 depending on your configuration. One more problem? You will have to deal with multiple apps to control the door. One application opens and closes it, another unlocks it, and a third launches the video intercom. When I asked in November about using Matter to create a better experience, Masonite said they had no current plans, but hoped to better integrate the experience in the future. While this is an incredibly exciting concept, it’s a lot of money for what appears to be a very early stage product. I’m also concerned about the aging technology of the lock and doorbell: how difficult will it be to replace these parts?
Smart Windows and Patio Doors Are Coming
Marvin is primarily a window company, so its focus is on a variety of window options. While your standard double or single glazed windows aren’t represented, casement and casement windows are, which makes sense if you think about how they stack. Also interesting is the roof light, which seems to be the most useful product. Imagine a skylight that closes when it starts to rain or opens when the humidity in the house reaches a threshold so that the house can be ventilated. But the centerpiece is the giant automated folding glass door. Pricing and availability details have not been revealed, but you have to imagine this is a premium product.
We usually talk about smart home technology in terms of convenience and coolness, but this conversation overlooks a very important feature of smart technology: affordability. While it’s certainly easier to have doors that open and close for you when you’re storing food, and windows that can respond to temperature changes or danger, what these advances actually offer is the ability for people to live independently – if they can afford the costs of such products. In a world that will support an increasingly aging population, being able to control major parts of your home using just your voice or phone makes a big difference.
The problem with this premise is that these products are likely to add to the already skyrocketing costs of new construction, meaning that the people who might benefit most from them are the least likely to purchase them.