How to Choose a Replacement Door Lock The door lock is the most crucial part of your home's security. If they get worn out or are damaged it's the right time to replace them. It can also be an excellent method to refresh your home decor, or to provide a sense of security following divorce or the birth of a blended family. Learn the fundamentals of installing a replacement door lock. Replacement vs. Rekeying Changing your locks can improve the security of your property. It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of replacing versus rekeying locks. Generally speaking, rekeying is the preferred option for those not looking to replace their entire lockset. It is a faster and less expensive option than replacing your entire lockset, because you only need to change the pins inside the cylinder. Rekeying locks can allow them to work with different keys. This will eliminate the old keys and make it difficult for anyone else to gain entry to your office or home. This is a popular choice for homeowners who want to ensure that previous owners or anyone with a duplicate key are unable to access the home without being caught. It's also helpful for those who are worried about a suspicious employee in the office, since it can be used to stop them from accessing sensitive information or areas of the building. Rekeying can only provide limited security benefits. Rekeying isn't enough to stop people from physically attempting to enter an apartment, and it doesn't stop them from trying to force their entry regardless. If you're worried about this, consider changing to a deadbolt instead of rekeying your locks. Another scenario where you might consider changing your locks is if you've had them stolen. This is a common occurrence for businesses, and it's imperative to act swiftly when this happens. By rekeying your locks you'll be able to prevent the thieves from gaining access to sensitive areas of the company, and it will also give you an easier time submitting police reports in the event that something goes wrong. The best reason to change locks is when they are damaged or broken beyond repair. This could be as easy as a stuck bolt that isn't moving or a damaged handle that won't open. It may also be an ideal idea to swap your locks if they're constructed of low quality hardware that's easily altered for example, a lever or door knob with spring-loaded latches which can be easily bypassed with a credit card. Measure Your Door Before you can choose a lock, you'll need to know the dimensions you're working with. You can measure these dimensions with a tape and a pencil or pen. Utilizing your fingers or an arm's length is extremely inaccurate and will give you incorrect measurements. Take measurements of the opening from the top, middle and bottom. 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 is drilled for mortise locking, you will need to measure it further. The backset is measured from the edge of the door to the center hole. The most commonly used backsets (or 44mm & 57mm) are 1" & 2". Once you've decided the location you'd like your deadbolt to be it is important to know the depth of the hole in the door that is measured from the edge of the door to the centerline of the latch's the actuating hole for new installations or from the bottom of the door to the top of the strike in existing openings. Then, you'll have to decide whether your new door is going to be in-swing or out-swing. This is important because certain locks require specific installation methods dependent on the direction of the swing. Now that you've got all of your measurements you're ready to shop for a new lock! Be sure to keep all of your measurements in one place and bring them along when you visit the store to choose the lock. This will help you find the perfect fit for your door and make sure that it looks great. Best of luck and have fun shopping! If you have any questions, please feel at ease to reach us! We're always here to assist you! We're open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 6PM. We can also be reached via Facebook or Twitter. We look forward hearing from you! Find the Right Lock You'll want to choose the best lock for your home. The top locks are of high-quality and are a good protection against thieves who might be looking to steal your home. Grade 1 locks are the strongest and recommended for front doors. The best place to start is the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers will provide complete installation instructions and also have customer support hotlines available. They'll also give you suggestions on how to put the product in your door. This will help you decide whether this is something you can do on your own or if a contractor will be required. If you're installing an entirely new lock, it is important that you choose the right size keyhole. If the keyhole isn't big enough, it will need to be increased or you may need to think about the design of your lock. You'll also have to consider the size of your door since not all deadbolts fit all doors. They are usually with ratings of 2 3/8 inches or 2 3/4 inches, however should your door be thicker or smaller, you'll need to find one that will fit properly. The materials used in a lock are also important to take into consideration. It is not necessary to purchase a cheap lock because it is possible for burglars to gain entry into your Burlington home. Find https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/macclesfield-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ that has the highest rating from the BHMA. It is possible to verify the security rating of the knob and lever on your door when you have a recent door to ensure that they meet your requirements. This is especially important if there are children living in the house or the previous owners still have keys. The replacement of locks is an simple DIY project. With the proper tools and a amount of experience, you can replace your locks in just an hour. This is a fantastic method to improve the look of your home without costing you a fortune. You'll also be able to rest assured that your belongings and family are secure. Install the Lock Your Burlington, MA home is the place where you store your most valuable possessions. You want to safeguard your family, pets, or items. If your lock isn't working properly, it's probably time to replace it. Replacing your lock is more expensive than simply rekeying it but it offers the added benefit of locking your door to the frame. A deadbolt is difficult to pick or pull and the length of the bolt makes it harder for a thief to gain entry using an axe. If you're not certain which type of lock will best fit your door, think about asking an expert locksmith for advice. Remove the old lock from the door before installing the new one. First, loosen the screws that secure the handle section to exterior lock sections. Then with a screwdriver pry apart the two lock halves. Then, you can remove the knob and latch from the door. When installing your new door lock, ensure that you install it correctly. The latch should be positioned on the latch plate, and it should have an edge that is tapered and is able to fit into the hole for the locking mechanism. The screw holes should be aligned on the inside of your door for the deadbolt and latch with the rods that receive them. This will allow the screws to be threaded into place properly and prevent them from loosening over time. If you're using the same lock as the previous one, you may be able to leave the strike plate and latch plate in place. Hold them up to the new lock, and compare, and if they don't match, purchase replacements that fit properly. Install the lock once you've installed the new hardware. Start by putting the deadbolt in its correct place. When you do this be sure to pay attention to the "up" mark on the deadbolt. This will help you remember that you're inserting it on the right side of the door. Then, you can screw the interior and exterior plates together with the long screws that come with the new lock.