Rekey or Replace Your Locks? Which Is Better?
When to rekey and when to replace your locks. A Chapel Hill, NC locksmith breaks down the differences in security and timing.
Should I rekey or replace my locks?
Rekey when your existing locks are in good condition and you simply want old keys to stop working — for example after buying a Chapel Hill, NC home, losing a key, or a roommate moving out. It takes a fraction of the time of a full replacement and usually under an hour on-site.
Replace when the hardware is worn, mismatched, the finish is failing, or you want to upgrade to higher security or a smart lock. Replacement is also a good idea if your current locks are builder-grade Grade 3 — stepping up to Grade 1 or 2 commercial-grade gives meaningfully better kick-in resistance.
A professional locksmith will tell you when rekeying is enough and won't push a full replacement just to inflate the invoice.