Is it Cheaper to Buy New Locks or Rekey Them?
When it comes to security, your locks are a crucial part of protecting your home or business. If they aren’t working correctly or you have lost a key, getting them rekeyed is an option to consider.
It is often cheaper to have a locksmith rekey your locks than to replace them. This is because rekeying involves removing the old lock cylinder and replacing the tumblers with new ones.
Cost
It can be difficult to decide whether it is cheaper to buy new locks or rekey your existing ones. This is because it can depend on several factors, including the security level of your property and what you want to achieve with your locks.
If you have lost a key, it is essential to have your lock rekeyed to ensure that no one else can access your property. This is particularly important if you have moved into a new house or have someone living in your house that has been given an old set of keys.
Rekeying is a relatively inexpensive process that requires a locksmith to change the pins or tumblers within your lock to a different combination. This process does not affect the security of the lock in any way, so it is an ideal option for people who want to make their property more secure without spending a lot of money.
A rekey is also an ideal solution for businesses that are concerned about the security of their premises and their employees. If someone who used to work at your company has lost their key, it is essential to rekey the locks as soon as possible to ensure that no one else can gain access to your business.
Changing your locks can be an expensive task, especially if you have a large number of locks to replace. This is because you must remove each lock’s hardware (cylinder, bolt, and doorknob) before installing the new ones.
The cost of changing your locks can vary depending on the type of lock that you need and whether you are getting it done by a professional or if you are doing it yourself. Generally, you should expect to pay at least PS50 for a professional to rekey your locks and PS75 if you want to replace them.
The cost of buying new locks depends on the brand and design you want to buy. Typically, you will pay around $50 for an interior door knob and around $80 to $300 for a lock-and-handle combo plus smart technology features such as remote controls or keypads.
Time
There are many ways to keep your home safe, but one of the most important is by having good locks on your doors. This can include installing a high-security lock, changing the locks to rekey them, or replacing them entirely.
If you want to replace your locks, it’s best to find out what the cost is beforehand so you can make an informed decision. The price to install new locks will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of lock (higher security types are usually more expensive) and whether you’re changing the style of the lock or just replacing it with a new model.
The most common way to change your locks is to rekey them. Rekeying is a much less expensive option than buying new locks, and it’s often an affordable choice for new homeowners. Rekeying can also be a useful technique for business owners who need to secure multiple locations with one master key.
Rekeying a lock is a simple process that involves taking the lock apart and replacing some of its parts. The parts that are replaced in a rekeyed lock include the tumblers and pins that make up the internal structure of the lock. Each set of these pins corresponds to a specific key, and when you replace them with different keys, you create a new combination that will operate the lock.
Once you have the old pins replaced with the new ones, you’ll need to reassemble the lock and verify that it functions properly. This can take 10 to 15 minutes per lock.
For larger jobs with more doors and cylinders to be changed, it’s a better idea to call a locksmith for help. This will save you time and money, as a professional can handle all of the work for you.
Another option is to buy a rekey kit that allows you to rekey the lock yourself. These kits are relatively inexpensive, and they come with a set of new keys that match the originals. They typically also come with pins that are numbered or color-coded so you can easily identify which pins go where in the plug.
Security
When deciding whether or not to buy new locks for your home, there are some important factors to consider. This includes cost, time, and security measures taken.
The most affordable option is to rekey your lock. This process is less expensive than replacing your lock and can be done by a professional locksmith. It’s also a good way to avoid the risk of someone else having access to your home without permission.
A door lock works by firing pins that are held back by a spring, into the keyhole. When a person opens the lock with a key, these pins are forced out and can be seen. Rekeying your lock will allow you to replace the pins in the lock with new ones, which means that any old keys won’t work anymore and the existing key will not function.
Rekeying a lock is usually cheaper than replacing it, as the pins that are inside your lock are much more inexpensive than the parts required to replace them. It’s also a quick and easy process that can be done at your own pace and in your own time.
In the process of rekeying, the lock cylinder is disassembled and the tumblers are replaced with new ones. This allows new keys to be cut and can be done quickly and efficiently by a professional locksmith.
You can rekey your locks with an inexpensive rekeying kit that contains several keys that are all cut identically. Each key is matched to the specific series of pins that are in your lock’s cylinder plug, and they are all numbered or color-coded for ease of identification.
Typically, a rekeying kit will come with a tube that can be used to remove the cylinder plug and make rekeying easier. When you’re finished, your lock is rekeyed to use these new keys, making it impossible for anyone else to open the lock.
If you have multiple locks in your home, it’s often a good idea to change them all at once to maximize the benefits of this service. This is especially true if you have multiple locks with different keys or if they are of different brands.
Ease of Use
Whether you have a lot of keys for your home or work, or simply have one or two that aren’t in a convenient location, it can be hard to keep track of the right key for each lock. Fortunately, rekeying your locks can make it easier to find the right key for any door in your home or business.
It’s also a good idea to get smart locks that are compatible with a variety of platforms, like Google and Alexa. These will make it easy to give everyone in your home their own unique codes, so you don’t have to worry about locking someone out of the house.
When you’re rekeying your locks, you should use a key gauge to check the pin heights and make sure that they’re correct. If the pins are flush with the plug–like the ones in the illustration below–they’re the correct size. If the pins extrude from the plug chamber, they’re too long and can cause the lock to fail.
Before you can start rekeying your locks, you will need to remove the cylinder. This is usually pretty simple on deadbolts, but it’s a little more difficult with knobs and levers. Typically, you’ll need to use a rekey kit with a small wire tool that can poke into the hole for the cylinder. Once the cylinder is out, you’ll be able to easily replace it with the new pins included in your rekey kit.
Rekeying your locks is a great way to save time and money by eliminating the need for a new lock every time you lose a key. It’s also a great option for businesses that need to keep their premises safe and secure, as it will prevent people from getting inside without proper credentials.
A rekeying kit can be bought online or in a store, and it should include all the tools you need to complete the task. It also includes instructions for how to rekey the locks.
In addition, you should choose the type of door you have before deciding to rekey or replace it. The type of door will have an impact on the security level of the locks you install, and it’s important to make sure that your doors are strong enough to keep thieves at bay.