Moving into a new place, losing a key, or parting ways with a roommate all lead to the same question: do the locks need to be replaced, or just rekeyed? They sound similar, but they solve different problems and cost very different amounts.
What rekeying actually does
A pin-tumbler lock has small spring-loaded pins inside the cylinder. Each pin has to line up at exactly the right height for the cylinder to turn, and the cuts on your key are what lift them into place.
Rekeying means taking the cylinder apart and swapping those pins for a new set that matches a new key. The lock body, the handle and the deadbolt all stay on the door. Afterward, every old key stops working, and one new key fits.
What replacing does
Replacing swaps out the whole lock: cylinder, bolt or latch, and usually the trim. You're starting over with new hardware.
When rekeying is the right call
- You just moved in. You don't know how many copies of the old key are out there. Rekeying cuts them all off.
- A key was lost or stolen, but the lock itself works fine.
- Someone moved out or an employee left without returning a key.
- You want one key for every door. If your locks are the same brand and keyway, they can often all be rekeyed to a single key.
Rekeying keeps hardware you already like and is usually the less expensive option.
When replacing makes more sense
- The lock is worn out or damaged. If it sticks, the bolt drags, or it was damaged in a break-in, new pins won't fix it.
- You want better security. A basic builder-grade deadbolt can be swapped for a sturdier one, ideally paired with a reinforced strike plate and longer screws that reach the door frame.
- You're changing style or features, like moving to a keypad or smart lock.
- The locks are mismatched brands and you want a single key; sometimes replacing one or two is simpler than rekeying across keyways.
A quick rule of thumb
If the lock works well and you just need to control who has a key, rekey it. If the lock itself is the problem, or you want an upgrade, replace it.
Either way, it's worth checking the strike plate while you're at it. Many forced entries defeat the door frame, not the lock, and 3-inch screws into the stud make a real difference.
Posted by Choice City Locksmith, a mobile locksmith in Fort Collins, Colorado. More on lock rekeying on our site.