Rekey or Replace Your Locks? A Denver Homeowner's Guide

One of the most common residential questions we get in Denver: "Should I rekey or replace the whole lock?" The answer depends on the age and condition of the hardware, how many doors you have, and whether you want a security or convenience upgrade.

What "rekey" means

Rekeying changes the internal pins of your existing lock cylinder so old keys stop working and a new key works instead. The lock body, deadbolt, knob, and finish stay the same.

When rekeying is a reasonable choice

• You just moved into a home or rental and want to control who has a key.
• A roommate, tenant, or partner moved out.
• You lost a key but the lock still works smoothly.
• You want multiple exterior doors on one key.

See our lock rekey page for more.

When replacing is the better call

• The lock is old or feels gritty even after cleaning.
• You've had a break-in or attempted break-in.
• You want to upgrade to higher-security hardware.
• You want to move to a smart lock.
• The finish is corroded or badly mismatched after a renovation.

See our lock change page.

Smart locks

Smart locks can be a nice fit for keyless entry, guest codes, or remote lock/unlock. A few things to think through: battery replacement, how the lock integrates with your network, and pairing the electronic side with a quality cylinder underneath.

Bottom line

If your hardware is in good shape and you mainly want to control who has a key, rekeying often makes sense. If your hardware is aging, damaged, or you want a security or convenience upgrade, replacement usually makes more sense. When in doubt, get in touch.