Handleset Door Lock Arlington, VA

When this family in Arlington, VA, lost a set of their front door keys, they worried someone might use it to enter their house. Their handleset lock was still new, so they decided the best solution was to rekey it. They picked MacArthur Locks & Doors for the job after finding us online. We rekeyed the handleset and cut copies of the new key for them. The client was grateful for the quick door lock service.

Did you move into a new place and want to change the locks? Or maybe you lost your house keys and are worried about security? Rekeying is a fast and more economical alternative to replacing your locks. It is a very efficient way to secure your home because it can save you much money. 

How Does Rekeying a Lock Work?

Rekeying lets you keep your existing locks and simply change the inner workings to match a new key. In other words, you can keep the lock, but the old key cannot open it.

If you want a new key for a lock, you must change some of its internal parts called "tumblers" or "key pins." Each series of key pins in your lock corresponds to a specific key. By changing those pins, you can create a new key that will open the lock. Although this may sound complicated, it is an easy procedure that should not take more than a few minutes, given the right tools.

What Rekeying Has to Offer

Rekeying is cost-effective.

The cost of key pins in locks is very low, so rekeying is almost always less expensive than changing locks. That is because rekeying only involves the cost of labor, whereas changing locks include both labor and parts.

Rekeying provides convenience.

Rekeying can come in handy in different situations. One is when you want to retire an old key or match more than one lock to the same key. For example, it can be quite inconvenient to have several locks in your home, each with a different key. In this case, you may want to rekey the locks, so they all match the same key. However, remember that for two or more locks to match one key, they must be of the same brand or share the same types of keyholes. So, if your key fits into one lock but not the other, their keyholes (or "keyways") are different and cannot be matched.

Things to Consider About Rekeying

Rekeying without the original key is more expensive.

A locksmith can rekey a lock without its original key. However, they must pick the lock before starting the rekeying process. While lock picking is not a problem for a skilled locksmith, it will incur additional charges. That is why rekeying without the original key is more expensive.

Rekeying does not improve the lock's security.

There is no advantage to rekeying a lock in terms of security. In fact, it may even make the lock less secure. That is because a picked lock is no longer secured. Furthermore, rekeying will not improve the security of worn or damaged locks.

Can you do rekeying on your own?

You will only need a Phillips screwdriver to change a standard residential lock. However, rekeying a lock is a more complex process that requires training. Furthermore, you will need a professional pinning kit to rekey most locks, costing around $250. Finally, remember that attempting to change a lock yourself may not result in any damage, but unsuccessfully trying to rekey a lock could ruin it completely. However, if you are bent on taking the DIY path, read our guide on DIY lock rekeying.

Locksmith Near Me

We know that you need nothing but the best when it comes to security. So at MacArthur Locks & Doors, we offer a full range of locksmith services to help secure your door against theft and burglary. Our team specializes in installing entry door handlesets and front door handle sets. We service residents and business owners in the greater DMV area, including Silver Spring and Rockville, MD. So whether you need help with lock rekey or key duplication, we are here to help. Call us for free estimates.