When Rekey Beats Replace
When considering whether to rekey or replace a lock, rekeying often proves more efficient and cost-effective in certain situations.
- Recent Cylinder: If the cylinder is under 5 years old and meets BS3621 or 3-Star standards, a pin tumbler refresh is quicker and cheaper than a full swap.
- Landlord Needs: For landlords managing multiple flats, rekeying each cylinder with different keys after tenant turnover is practical.
This approach is ideal for 4-8 flats per visit, common in areas like Kilburn and Wembley Park.
- Office Security: After a senior staff exit, rekeying restricted-key cylinders to a new master profile is effective for maintaining security.
However, rekeying isn't viable if the cylinder is older than 8 years, not anti-snap, or if there's a failing multipoint gearbox.
In these cases, a full replacement is recommended.



