Many homeowners and businesses who are in search of a locksmith to replace their locks aren’t familiar with the correct terminology between rekeying a lock and replacing one. With this article, we hope to do our best to clear up any confusion on the matter. Before we can compare the pros and cons of each, lets first take a look at the definitions behind each term.

What Is Lock Rekeying?

Lock rekeying is, in essence, changing the keys that work with a specific lock to work with different keys, but all the while maintaining the same lock. Lock rekeying is often the ideal solution for homeowners and businesses who need to change their locks to work with different keys. While there is a multitude of different reasons one might need to consider having their locks rekeyed, generally it comes down security concerns or usability issues. A homeowner or business might be interested in having their locks rekeyed if their locks still function fine, but a copy of their key has ended up in the hands of people in which they do not trust.

Lock rekeying is typically the “better” option for homeowners or businesses who still have perfectly working hardware, have a working key, and need to have their locks work with a different set of operational keys. Rekeying a lock is cheaper than replacing a lock entirely as the hardware stays the same, in comparison to a lock replacement when the locking hardware is changed with “new locks”.

The process of rekeying a lock is typically straightforward, especially if the locksmith in question is an experienced professional. When a lock is rekeyed, it is “deconstructed”, or taken apart if you will, by professional locksmith tools in order to access the inner workings. Once inside the lock, the locksmith can interact with the pins, or tumblers, and change them to match a different set of operational keys. Many homeowners have their locks rekeyed because they have multiple sets of keys for different doors and want to consolidate all of their door locks into one singular key.

While rekeying a lock might seem like it’s too good to be true, that’s because sometimes it can be. If a lock is no longer working correctly or malfunctioning in the process of locking or unlocking, it might be time to replace the lock entirely. Rekeying a lock will not fix it, rekeying implies that the lock is already functioning correctly and simply needs to be switched over to different keys. Read more on our other blog posts Differences Between a Lock Change and a Rekey.

What Is Lock Replacement?

Lock replacement is different from lock rekeying because instead of just replacing the internal pins or tumblers inside to work with different keys, the entire lock is replaced. This means that all of the metal is swapped out with new pieces. Many homeowners and businesses will need to replace their locks if the locks in question are beyond repair, or if it’s unable to be rekeyed for whatever extraneous circumstances may exist.

Generally lock rekeying is the more affordable option for those who are on a tight budget, but the trade-off for those with older locks can sometimes be worth it. Many times individuals or businesses will call a professional locksmith service to assist with a lock rekey, only to find that the small increase in price for a replacement is worth the investment, especially if the locksmith is already on site. Professional locksmiths will have a stock of spare locks that can be used for brand new lock replacements. It’s impossible to provide an exact estimate for the lifetime of the average American deadbolt or doorknob lock, but if we had to guess, we would estimate the average American lock has a lifespan of 7 - 15 years.

Many times businesses and homeowners will opt to have their locks changed so their property conforms to the same standard of look, which can certainly provide a nice aesthetic touch to those who are looking. For example, someone with a gold deadbolt and a black doorknob might be interested in changing one or both of their locks to new ones in order to achieve a matching color scheme or style.

Performing a lock changing service is optimal for those who have multiple locks from different manufacturers, or lock brands. For example, if a homeowner wants to have their backdoor and front door be on the same key, but both doors have different brands of locks, it might be impossible to do so without a lock change. To put it in layman’s terms: sometimes a key won’t fit in a lock because the key and lock are different brands. This is because many lock brands use proprietary key-ways. A good and common example is the popular brands Kwikset and Schlage.

Often times customers will be required to change certain locks to match the majority brand of their home locks, in order to achieve one working key for all locks. Please note that rekeying and lock changing is different than lock installation, which is the act of drilling new holes into a door and “installing” new locks.

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Pros and Cons

There are certainly a few different pros and cons when it comes to comparing lock rekeying with lock replacing services, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.

• Cost - Typically rekeying an existing lock will be the more affordable option over replacing a lock. Rekeying keeps the same lock, while replacing is comparable to buying a new lock.

• Speed - Both services, when performed by a professional locksmith, should be extremely quick and easy. A professional locksmith will be able to rekey or replace a standard home or business mortise lock in 10-15 minutes, sometimes less, from the time they get started. More locks add more time obviously, but an experienced locksmith will be able to accomplish both tasks with speed and alacrity.

• Improving Security - Rekeying a lock won’t do anything to enhance security, except to lock someone out if they already have the working key. When a lock is replaced, it’s possible to choose a higher security lock to be installed, versus rekeying a lock which retains the same lock hardware and security, but only changes the keys that operate it. Many people are now choosing to install electronic deadbolts over mechanical ones. If opting for an electronic deadbolt, we recommend selecting one that has a keyhole for emergencies in the event of battery failure. Many individuals find themselves locked out of their electronic locks after their batteries have died.

• Customization - Many homeowners enjoy customizing their home to the full extent of their abilities, and that includes the small things such as how locks look. While they might not seem important to many, chances are the typical person interacts with a doorknob or deadbolt at least once per day. When it comes to functionality and high living standards, investing in the right locks can often make a huge impact.

What’s The Best Choice?

There’s certainly no answer to this question as it all boils down to the circumstances, personal preference and individual opinion. Depending on the circumstances, one might opt to have their locks rekeyed while another would have them replaced. If a lock is functioning properly and new keys are needed to lock someone out or to have multiple locks on the same key, a lock rekeying service is probably the best bet. On the other hand, if a lock is no longer working as it should, there are multiple different brands, or new color is wanted, a lock changing service is probably the ideal option.

About Us - Locksmith Services Longmont provides high quality and affordable locksmith services in the greater Longmont, Colorado area of Boulder County. We have a wide service range to cover the Northern Colorado vicinity. Our experienced mobile locksmiths have been background checked, are highly trained, and they all have years of experience handling a wide variety of different situations. If you’re in Longmont, Colorado or areas of Northern Colorado such as Denver, Greeley, Fort Collins, or Boulder, consider giving us a call. All of our mobile locksmiths can arrive typically in 30 minutes or less from the time we receive your call.