Rekeying Vs. Replacing A Lock: Everything you need to know

Since our safety and that of our loved ones is our top priority, giving quality attention to the locks on our doors is very important. So whether you’ve lived in your current apartment for many years or you’ve just moved into a new home, replacing your locks is always a great idea. But what about rekeying them? What’s the difference anyway?

Replacing a lock is simply changing an existing lock with a new one by using a new lockset on the same door. It may be due to reasons such as: Having old, faulty locks; losing your keys; moving into a new home, etc.

This is the most popular choice among homeowners, business owners, etc. In fact, many people don’t know that there are other options available regarding lock problems.

Rekeying of locks, on the other hand, is quite different. Firstly, locks contain ‘tumblers’ or ‘key pins’ inside them that correspond with a certain key.

When rekeying a lock, a locksmith opens up the existing lock and replaces the key pins inside with new ones, such that the current key can no longer work on that lock.

The lock stays in place but a new set of keys will be used to open it.

Most people are not aware of this option, hence, the reason why the lock replacement option is often patronized.

The best time to replace a lock is when:

The best time to rekey a lock is when:

In order to arrive at a decision on whether or not to replace or rekey your locks, you have to know the benefit of each option.

Lock replacement is best recommended when the existing locks are malfunctioning or worn out. In this situation, rekeying your lock might not do the job of ensuring your safety.

There’s also that confidence that comes with having newly installed locks. You’re almost sure about your safety because they are brand new.

You get to change your locks to look a certain way that appeals to your taste and matches your style. 

Rekeying your lock is a much easier and more affordable way to secure your home. Your existing lock set is used and you only end up losing a key, which makes it cheaper.

But this solution depends on the situation involved. It will be unnecessary to replace a malfunctioning lock. Rekeying should be done in the case of lost or stolen keys etc.

Also, in the process of rekeying a lock, the locksmith can inspect the lock’s condition, confirm if it was properly installed, and correct an issue if any is found. This serves as a form of maintenance which is only a benefit of lock rekeying. 

Lock replacement usually results in a much higher cost compared to lock rekeying. This is because it requires getting a new lockset or hardware, depending on the nature of the lock.

So, if you only lost your keys or they got stolen, why spend more when you can have your locks rekeyed? 

Yes — if you’re a professional locksmith.

Locks serve as our first line of defense against burglars. They should be treated with additional care and attention. As a home or business owner, you would care a lot about the safety of your family or customers.

It is best to allow your lock replacements or rekeying to be done by professionals in order to ensure an excellent job. You might be saving yourself some money by doing it yourself but a poorly done job could easily jeopardize your safety and put you at risk of burglary attacks or unwanted visitors.

There are many reasons why you should opt for a professional locksmith. Some of them are:

At Brothers Locksmith, our locksmiths are master locksmiths with many years of experience. We understand that different customers have different needs; that is why we are up-to-date with the latest kinds of locks available to suit them.

Our team of professionals also offer advice on whether you need to simply rekey your locks or replace them. Expert key cutting services are available too.

In addition, we offer repair and maintenance services for when the locks develop faults or start wearing out.