Lock Rekeying Melbourne

Inside a pin tumbler cylinder sits a set of small pins at heights corresponding to the cuts on your key. Rekeying replaces those pins with a different combination, so the cylinder now matches a new key and no longer matches the old one.

The lock body, the handle, the finish and the door preparation are all untouched. From the outside nothing changes; only the key that operates it does.

Rekeying suits situations where the hardware is fine and the uncertainty is about keys.

Rekeying keeps sound hardware and changes the key. Replacement changes the hardware itself. If your locks operate smoothly and suit the door, rekeying is normally better value and quicker to complete.

Replacement becomes the better option when hardware is worn, damaged or unsuitable, or when the lock type cannot be rekeyed. In practice a property sometimes needs both — rekey the good locks, replace the tired ones, and key the whole result to one key.

Keying alike means several compatible locks are rekeyed to the same combination, so one key opens all of them. In a house that usually means front door, rear door and perhaps a garage or gate. It is one of the most immediately satisfying changes you can make to a property.

It does require compatible hardware. Where locks come from different systems, some may need replacing before a single key becomes practical — that will be identified before any work is agreed.

Some keys cannot be freely rekeyed or duplicated. Restricted and patented key profiles are controlled by the system holder, and apartment building keys are usually managed by the owners corporation or building manager.

Where a restricted system or common-property door is involved, authorisation from the system holder or building manager is required first. That process protects every occupant of the building, and it is the correct route to take.