Doors – Re-key or just replace deadbolts

doorslock

Our house has Schlage "bright brass" deadbolts on the front and back doors, which use different keys. Our separate garage had a no-name unit. We never had keys for the rear door or garage. I just replaced the garage deadbolt so I would have keys. It only took a few minutes, and that got me thinking…

What is the easiest/simplest/cheapest way to get the front and back doors to share keys?

  1. re-pin the rear door, which Home Depot will do but I didn't get a price
  2. get new cylinders for both, but HD doesn't sell them
  3. replace both deadbolts outright

HD has Schlage brass deadbolts for $58. Ouch. Weiser is $40, Defiant is $19 (although not quite the same color). Is there any real difference between these?

Best Answer

It massively depends on the quality of the locks. I buy Home Depot cheapies, and I just replace locksets using the package codes on the lock-sets to get multiples of the same key. (If you have 3 sets that all say "Key Code 12589”, they will all have the same key).

However I am transitioning to using Schlage Primus, a dual-keyway patented system which precludes unauthorized duplication, and warrants top-shelf hardware.

Go find the kind of locksmith who has a bricks-and-mortar presence with a showroom (and isn't all outbound). Bring in a lock you want re-keyed, with the key that works in it, and the key you want to work in it. Come up to their counter. They will tell you whether it's worth re-keying.

By that I mean there are 3 kinds of locksmiths:

  • Virtual locksmiths, who only exist on Google, and harvest the identities of people who need locksmiths, so they can "generate leads" (sell you as a sales lead to a locksmith), or engage in criminal behavior toward you, such as casing your home whilst getting a copy of your key.
  • Truck locksmiths, whose business is a van, and who mainly do emergency work. They only do outbound work, always charge a hefty service call fee, and have gotcha pricing on everything else.
  • Showroom locksmiths, who do outbound but also have a retail premises you can visit with a halfway respectable showroom. They will do amazing stuff for you very cheaply.
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