Best locksmiths near New Windsor, MD

Rekeying a lock changes the internal mechanism so that a new key works, while replacing a lock involves swapping out the entire hardware. Rekeying is a good, cost-effective option when you want to ensure old keys no longer work, such as after moving into a new home or losing a key. It's also ideal if you want to keep your existing lock hardware. You should opt to replace the locks entirely if you want to upgrade to a more secure or different style of lock, if the current lock is old or damaged, after a break-in, or if too many copies of the old key exist.

You might assume that having two locks on one door will offer more protection than only one lock, but there may not be an advantage. While there’s nothing wrong with having two locks if you feel it’s best for your living situation, rest assured having one high-quality deadbolt installed correctly will offer a high level of protection.

Many local hardware stores have the equipment to copy basic keys at a low cost. Some locations may have freestanding machines where you can pick out a blank and insert it and your original key into the duplicating machine.

If you don’t have your original key, the easiest way to obtain a copy is to call a locksmith. For house keys, your locksmith has several options for configuring a new key: 

• They can input a lock’s identification code into a database to obtain key-cutting instructions.

• They could analyze the lock cylinder to determine how to cut a new key.

• They can create an impression of the lock cylinder from which to cut a new key.