Should I Rekey or Change My Locks?

Whether you are ready to simply change the locks in your home due to old age or you have recently moved into a new home, it is a good idea to know and understand the difference between rekeying a lock and completely changing a lock. No matter which option you choose, it is best to have a professional locksmith perform the service to ensure that it is not only done properly but in case something goes wrong, you are protected and covered.

Changing the Locks on Your Home

What does it actually mean to change the lock on your home? It is a process where the lock and all associated hardware is removed from the door and replaced with new hardware. When you change a lock, you will need to utilize a new key, so your old key will no longer work. It is important to note that changing a lock is more expensive than rekeying it, but there are situations where completely changing the lock is recommended.

We mentioned just above that changing a lock is more expensive, so you want it to make sense for you to change it. One example of a reason to change your lock would be because the lock itself is old or damaged. If a lock is too old or it has been damaged in the past, it cannot be rekeyed, so changing it would make the most sense. Also, you may want to change the lock if you decide that you want to upgrade to a smart home system or a new type of lock for your door.

Rekeying the Locks on Your Home

Rekeying a lock does not require that any hardware be removed and replaced. In fact, the process is simpler and involves making alterations to the mechanism inside of the lock responsible for locking the door. Once a lock is rekeyed, your current key will not work inside of it, even though it once did.

For most people, rekeying their lock makes the most sense because the lock itself is still in good condition. One of the most common reasons people have their locks rekeyed is because they have multiple doors in their home that have the same brand of locks, but each lock has a different key that opens it. This can be frustrating but with a rekey, you can have one single key open all of the doors. Sometimes, homeowners will rekey their locks when they lose their house key.

What Should You Do?

The decision is yours to make but whichever option you choose, you want to make sure that you hire a licensed, insured, and experienced locksmith. Your locksmith should know how to properly rekey a lock or replace it and have a good idea of which option is best for you. When you do call a locksmith, make sure that you explain the situation to them and listen to their professional recommendations. Often, you may think that your lock needs to be replaced but in reality, it only needs to be rekeyed and you can save some money.

So, what is the key difference besides cost? When your lock is rekeyed, the hardware is not replaced, and the locking mechanism is simply altered. When your lock is changed, the entire hardware components are changed.

Want to have your home’s locks rekeyed or replaced? Call a local locksmith today!