Rekey vs. Lock Change: Which Do You Need?

What rekeying does

Rekeying keeps your existing lock hardware and changes the inner pins so that old keys no longer work and a new key takes over. The lock stays, the key changes.

What a lock change does

A lock change removes the old hardware entirely and installs a new lock. You get new hardware, a new key, and often a new look or higher grade of security.

When to rekey

• Your locks are in good shape but a key was lost or loaned out
• You just moved in and want old keys to stop working
• You want several doors keyed to a single key
• A rental needs fresh keys between guests

When to change the lock

• The hardware is worn, corroded, or sticking
• You want a different style, finish, or higher security grade
• The lock was damaged in a break-in attempt
• You are upgrading an older door

The coastal factor

On Tybee Island, salt air is hard on hardware. If a lock is already corroding, a change to a coastal-rated lock may serve you better than rekeying tired hardware.