Rekey when the hardware is sound and you only need old keys to stop working, such as a move-in, a lost key, or a departed tenant or contractor. Replace when locks are worn or damaged, when you want a higher security grade, or when you are moving to smart or keyless entry.
If you have moved in, lost a key, or had a tenant or employee leave, you need the old keys to stop working. There are two ways to do that: rekey the lock you have, or replace it. Most of the time rekeying is enough. Here is how to tell.
Inside a pin-tumbler lock is a set of small pins that line up only when the right key is inserted. Rekeying swaps those pins for a new set that matches a new key. The lock body, the handle and the deadbolt stay where they are. Old keys simply stop turning.
Rekeying can put the front door, back door and garage entry on the same key. The catch is that the locks need to share a keyway. A Kwikset key won't fit a Schlage cylinder, for example. If your locks are mixed brands, swapping one or two cylinders lets the whole house share a key.
Residential locks are tested to ANSI/BHMA standards and given a grade. Grade 3 is the basic level found on many builder-installed locks. Grade 2 is a solid residential standard. Grade 1 is commercial strength. If you are replacing a lock anyway, a Grade 2 or Grade 1 deadbolt is a reasonable upgrade on exterior doors.
High-security cylinders resist picking and drilling, and their keys can't be copied at a hardware store without authorization. They make sense for businesses, rental properties with frequent turnover, and anyone who needs to know exactly how many keys exist.
A master key system goes further: each person carries one key that opens only the doors they need, and a manager's key opens all of them. It is the standard setup for offices, apartment buildings and multi-unit properties.
Lock works fine and you just need old keys dead: rekey. Lock is worn, damaged, or you want better security or a keypad: replace.
We rekey and replace residential and commercial locks, and design master key systems. Call to set up a visit.
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A locksmith removes the cylinder and swaps its internal pins to match a new key. The lock body, finish, and door hardware stay exactly as they are, and every old key stops working. It is the standard answer when the hardware is in good shape and you only need key control back.
Rekeying is usually the less expensive route because you keep the existing hardware and pay mainly for labor. Replacing makes more sense when locks are already failing, when you want a stronger grade of hardware, or when you are upgrading several doors and want them keyed alike.
Often yes. If the locks share a compatible keyway, a locksmith can key them alike so a single key opens every exterior door. Mismatched brands may need one or two cylinders replaced to make it work, which is worth doing during a move-in rekey rather than later.
It is the standard recommendation. You have no way to know how many copies of the previous owner's keys exist or who holds them, including agents, contractors, cleaners, and former tenants. A rekey on the day you take possession resets key control without replacing any hardware.
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