Rekeying changes the key that operates a cylinder, while a lock change replaces the cylinder or other lock hardware.
The first question is not always which new lock to choose. It is whether the current hardware works as intended. A turning key, a sticking latch, and a loose handle point to different parts of the door assembly.
What a rekey changes
In a compatible pin cylinder, the pins are reset for a different key. The old key no longer turns that cylinder. The handle, door preparation, and much of the existing hardware can remain in place, depending on the lock.
This distinction matters after a move or a change in who uses a space. Changing the key arrangement is different from correcting a latch that rubs against the frame.
When replacement enters the discussion
A worn cylinder, broken lock body, or change in hardware type can make replacement part of the job. Door thickness, existing holes, and the distance from the door edge to the cylinder help determine what fits.
- Count each cylinder you want included.
- Separate working keys from keys whose purpose is uncertain.
- Note any door that needs lifting or pulling before it locks.
- Decide whether different users need different access.
Several doors may be able to share a key when their cylinders are compatible. Mixed hardware needs a closer look before choosing that arrangement.
Common questions
Will rekeying change the handle?
Usually the work concerns the cylinder rather than the handle, but the construction of the existing lock determines the details.
Can one key operate several locks?
That depends on compatible keyways and cylinders. A group of unrelated locks does not automatically accept one shared key.
Does a rekey fix a dragging door?
No. Door alignment involves hinges, the frame, and the strike. That mechanical issue needs its own assessment.