How to Choose a Replacement Door Lock

Door locks are your home's most crucial security component. If they get worn out or become compromised it's the right time to replace them.

Changing locks can also be a good way to freshen up your home decor or give you an additional sense of security after divorce or blended family. Learn the basics of installing a replacement door lock.

Replacement vs. Rekeying

Changing your locks can improve the security of a property. There are pros and cons of replacing versus rekeying a lock but it's important to consider your alternatives carefully.

Rekeying is generally the better option for those not looking to change out their entire lockset. It's a speedier and cheaper option than replacing the entire lockset as you only have to change the pins inside the cylinder. Rekeying locks could make them operate with different keys. This will eliminate the old keys and make it harder for anyone else to gain entry into your home or office.

This is a popular option for homeowners who want to ensure that previous owners or anyone with a duplicate key cannot access the home without being spotted. It's also useful for those who are worried about a rogue employee at the office, since it can be used to block them from accessing sensitive information or areas of the building.

Rekeying offers limited security benefits. It's not much to stop people from physically attempting to get into the premises and it doesn't do much to stop them if they do succeed in forcing their way into your home in any way. If you are concerned about this, think about upgrading your locks to a deadbolt, rather than simply changing the keys.

Rekeying locks may be necessary if your locks have been stolen. This is a frequent event for businesses, and it's important to act quickly when this happens. By rekeying your locks, you'll be able to stop the thieves from accessing sensitive areas within the company, and it will also allow you to have an easier time filing a police report in case there is a problem.

The best reason to replace locks is when they're damaged or broken beyond repair. This can be as simple as a bolt stuck that won't move or a broken handle that won't open. It is possible to replace your locks if you have low-quality hardware that can easily be tampered with. For Repair My Windows And Doors Links to an external site. , a doorknob or lever that has spring-loaded latches could be re-enforced with a credit card.

Measure Your Door

First, you must know the dimensions of your door before you choose the lock. You can measure these dimensions using a tape and a pencil or pen. Utilizing your fingers or an arm's length measurement is inaccurate and will give you the incorrect measurements. First, determine the width of the door from the bottom middle to the top. Make sure that you do not include the frame. You can also determine the height from floor to threshold (for doors with interior doors) or the top of the interior part of the frame.

If your door has been drilled for a mortise lock, you'll need to take some additional measurements. The backset is the distance that runs from the edge of the door to the center of the hole that was pre-drilled. The most commonly used backsets (or 44mm and 55mm) are 1" & 2". After you've chosen the location you'd like your deadbolt to be, you'll need to know the depth of the hole inside the door that is measured from the top of the door to the centerline of the latch's opening for actuation in new installations or from the bottom of the door to the top of the strike in existing openings.

Then, you'll have to determine if the door you want to install is going to be in-swing or out-swing. This is crucial because certain locks require a particular installation procedure that is based on the direction of the swing.

It's time to go shopping for a new lock now that you have all of your measurements! Keep all your measurements in a safe place and bring them along when you're looking for a lock. This will allow you to find the perfect fit for your door and ensure that it looks fantastic. Good luck shopping and happy shopping! Contact us for any questions! We're always here to assist you! We're open from Monday to Saturday from 10AM to 6PM. You can also reach us on Facebook or Twitter. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Find the Lock that's right for you

You'll want to pick the appropriate lock for your home. The best locks are top-quality and will deter thieves. Grade 1 locks are considered the most durable and are recommended for front door.

The best starting point is to visit the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers will provide full installation instructions as well as a customer support hotline. They'll also give you suggestions on how to install their products on your specific door. This will aid you in deciding whether this is something you can do yourself or if a professional will be required.

If you're installing the lock for the first time it is crucial that you have the right size keyhole. If the keyhole isn't big enough it will have to be increased or you might want to think about a different lock style. You will also need to consider the thickness of your doors as not all deadbolts will work with all doors. They are usually classified as 2 3/8 inches or 2 3/4 inches, however, you'll need to find a deadbolt that fits your door.

Another thing to keep in mind is the materials used in the lock. You don't need to buy an inexpensive lock since it's possible for a burglar to gain entry into your Burlington home. Find a lock that has the highest rating from BHMA.

If you have a newer door, you might want to look at the security ratings on your door knob and lever to ensure they meet your requirements. This is especially important when you have children living in the home or the previous owners might still have keys to your home.

Replacing locks is an easy DIY project. With the appropriate tools and a little amount of experience, you can replace your locks in under an hour. This is a great way to improve the look of your home without costing you a fortune. You'll also be able to be sure that your family and belongings are protected.

Install the Lock

Your Burlington, MA home is where you keep your most precious belongings. If it's your family, pets or possessions, you want to be sure that they are secure. If your lock isn't working, it's probably time to replace it.

It is more expensive to replace your lock than to change the key however, you have the added benefit of locking your door into the frame. A deadbolt is impossible to pull or pick and the length of the bolt makes it harder for thieves to gain entry using a wrench. Contact a locksmith if you aren't sure what type of lock is best for your door.

Before installing your new lock, you'll need to remove the lock you have already installed from the door. The first step is to remove the screws on the inside that hold the handle section to the lock sections on the outside. Next utilize a screwdriver to pull the two lock halves away. Then, you can remove the knob and latch from the door.


When installing your new door lock ensure that you put it in correctly. The latch should sit in the opening of the latch plate and have a tapered end that fits in the hole that will be used for the turning lock. The screw holes should be aligned on the inside of your door to match the deadbolt and latch with the receiving rods. This will allow the screws to be threaded into place properly and prevent them from loosing over time.

If you are using the same lock you can leave the latch and strike plate in place. Hold them up to the new lock and then compare to see if they meet, buy replacements that will fit properly.

Once you have the new hardware installed, it's time to install the lock. Begin by placing the deadbolt cylinder into its proper place. Pay special attention to the "up-mark" on the deadbolt. This will assist you in locating it on the right side of the door. Then make use of the long screws included in the lock to join the interior and exterior plates.