Re-keying is a process that provides an affordable security improvement for locks. It gives you security knowing you are the only one who has access to the set of keys that opens your doors but doesn’t require an entirely new locks change.

How Does Re-keying Work?

For a key to work, the tumblers inside need to match the cut ridges of the key. When locks are re-keyed, the tumblers are swapped out for new tumblers set that only fit a new key. Re-keying uses existing locks and changes out the inner core, which is the part that recognizes the key to allow the lock to open or become secured. The outside hardware is left intact, but a new key will be required to open a re-keyed lock. All of the old keys will no longer work to open and gain entry through the lock.

The inside cylinder, often referred to as the keyhole, is removed leaving the lock structure and hardware in place. The plug of the cylinder is what receives the key cut for that specific lock and holds the tumbler inside. Once the tumblers and new key are aligned, the locksmith will reassemble the existing lock.