There’s nothing wrong with deciding to replace your locks entirely, but it’s important you know it’s not the only available option.
The information in this article is meant to help you gain a better understanding of a less-known alternative to changing your locks, namely rekeying. We’ve also included a few tips on how to figure out which option is more suitable for different situations you may experience.
So let’s get started.
What’s the Difference?
There’s no need to go into detail when it comes to what it implies to change your entire door lock, as the process is quite self-explanatory.
Rekeying, on the other hand, is a procedure homeowners tend to be less familiar with. In a nutshell, to rekey means to utilize the existing lock body, but readjust its internal functioning so it works with a new key.
Simply put, you keep the same lock, but the old key will no longer operate it. It’s important to mention the vast majority of locks have a built-in option to be rekeyed.
Pros:
- Cost-effective. Compared to replacing a lock entirely, rekeying is generally more inexpensive because it uses the existing lock body. You mainly pay for labour, not parts.
Cons:
- Rekeying doesn’t upgrade the security of your locks. For instance, if you have a mortice lock installed and you rekey it, you will still have a mortice lock. In this regard, rekeying is far more limited than changing your locks (in which case, you have full freedom to choose the level of upgrade you want).
When to Rekey and when to Replace Your Locks
If you’re satisfied with the overall performance and brand of your current locks, but you want to make sure old keys will no longer work to operate it, rekeying is an excellent, cost-effective option.
There are a few cases when you’d want that, such as:
- You’ve recently misplaced or lost a set of keys to your home and you want to eliminate any potential risk of someone using them to break in.
- You’ve moved and want to ensure you have full control and knowledge of who has access to your new home or apartment.
- You want to deny access to your home of someone who already has a key to it.
On the other hand, changing your locks may be the way to go in case:
- You’ve decided to take advantage of new technological advancements by making the transition to a keyless system and have smart locks installed.
- You’re not pleased with the design, brand or condition of the locks. This usually happens in the case of new homeowners who have recently purchased a property and notice the locks don’t meet their needs.
Need a Locksmith?
Whether you decide to rekey or replace your locks, we recommend relying on the services of a professional locksmith who has the necessary expertise and equipment to handle the process from start to finish.
Our trained locksmiths are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week and can supply, fit, change or repair a broad variety of locks, including Anti-Snap Locks, Mortice Locks, Euro Cylinders and Combination Locks.
Don’t hesitate to contact us at 0800 0612 677 or 07801 733 788.