Rekey or replace? How to decide

These get used interchangeably and they are not the same thing. Picking the wrong one either wastes money or leaves you less secure than you think.

What each one actually does

Rekeying keeps your existing lock and changes the pins inside so a different key operates it. The hardware on your door does not change. Every old key stops working immediately.

Replacing removes the lock and fits new hardware. You get a new mechanism, and the chance to upgrade the grade of lock at the same time.

Rekey when

• A tenant moved out, or a relationship ended
• A key was lost and you cannot account for it
• A contractor, cleaner or agent had a copy
• You just bought the house — always do this, whatever the seller says about keys
• You want one key to run several doors

In all of these the hardware is fine. The problem is who holds a key, and rekeying solves exactly that for less money.

Replace when

• The lock is worn, sticking or you have to lift the door to turn it
• It was forced, drilled or damaged
• It is a low-grade knob lock on an exterior door
• You want a smart lock or keypad entry
• The finish is failing and you are redoing the door anyway

The thing most people miss

A new lock in a bad door is still a bad door. The weakest point on most homes is not the cylinder, it is the strike plate — two short screws into soft trim. Longer screws into the framing behind it costs almost nothing and does more against a kicked door than any cylinder upgrade.

So if the reason you are replacing a lock is that it “feels flimsy”, get the alignment and the strike looked at first. Sometimes the honest answer is that you do not need new hardware at all.

Where to go next

• Lock installation and changes
• House lockouts
• Commercial locksmith
• Locksmith in St. Louis

Need a locksmith in St. Louis? Call (314) 916-6766. Open daily 5:30am–11:30pm. Price agreed on site before any work starts.

Common questions