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Locks & Keys
Filed measures for Locks & Keys.
Locks & Keys
Deadbolt Throw Depth and Why Half an Inch Matters
ThreatOpportunistic forced entry at the primary door: kick-ins, shoulder strikes, and pry attacks that exploit a short bolt throw or poor strike-plate engagement.
CostParts typically $20–$80 for a quality deadbolt and reinforced strike; professional installation or door/strike reinforcement commonly $100–$300 depending on door condition and local labor rates.
InstallModerate for a like-for-like deadbolt swap with basic tools; high for new bore holes, strike reinforcement, or door-frame repair. A licensed carpenter or locksmith is recommended for structural changes, and a licensed electrician for any wired or smart-lock power.
DetersDeters and resists forced-entry attempts by increasing the distance the bolt must be defeated and the strength of the strike; it does not record activity, identify visitors, or alert anyone remotely.
A deadbolt exists to solve a specific physical problem: a door that can be pushed open.
Locks & Keys
Rekeying Versus Replacing the Locks You Already Own
ThreatOpportunistic intruders using lost, stolen, or borrowed keys; former tenants, roommates, or service workers retaining copies; and basic forced-entry attempts against residential-grade cylinders.
CostRekeying: $15–$40 per cylinder for parts (new pins, springs, plug) plus $20–$60 per lock for labor if hired; DIY kits $10–$25. Replacing: $25–$150 per lock for the hardware, plus $50–$150 per lock for professional installation if needed.
InstallRekeying an existing cylinder is a moderate DIY task requiring basic hand tools and a pinning kit; replacing a lock is similar but may require enlarging or patching the door prep. No electrical work is involved. If the door is metal, fire-rated, or part of a multifamily egress system, hire a licensed locksmith or door professional.
DetersDeters key-holding intruders by invalidating old keys and deters casual forced-entry attempts if the new or rekeyed cylinder is a quality pick- and bump-resistant model. Does not deter determined attackers with tools, nor does it record anything.
Every keyed lock is a promise that only the people holding the right key can open it.
Locks & Keys
Bump Keys and the Pins That Resist Them
ThreatOpportunistic and semi-skilled forced entry via lock manipulation: bumping, picking, raking, and improvised bypass of a standard pin-tumbler cylinder, plus the related risk of key duplication and unauthorized key use.
CostParts: roughly $30–$150 per cylinder or lock for bump-resistant and pick-resistant models; high-security cylinders can run $100–$300 or more. Labor: about $40–$120 per lock for a locksmith to rekey or retrofit, with full cylinder replacement often $75–$200 per opening including hardware.
InstallModerate for a direct cylinder swap or rekey; a competent DIYer can replace a cylinder in 15–30 minutes with basic tools. High-security or restricted-keyway systems, mortise lock conversions, multipoint hardware, and any door with unusual backset or trim usually require a licensed locksmith. Structural changes and electrical work should be left to licensed professionals.
DetersDeters covert and low-noise manipulation of the lock cylinder, casual key duplication, and quick bump-and-enter attempts. It does not deter forced entry through the door, frame, glass, or wall; it does not record events; it does not stop an attacker who already has a working key or who uses destructive methods.
A bump key is a specially cut key that, when inserted into a pin-tumbler lock and struck or tapped while turned slightly, causes the pins inside the cylinder to jump and separate momentarily.
Locks & Keys
Picking Resistance and Why Cylinder Quality Matters
ThreatOpportunistic forced entry via lock picking, bumping, or drilling; also defeats low-skill bypass methods like credit-card shimming and improvised turning tools.
CostDIY pin kit and plug follower: $30–$80. Replacement high-security cylinder: $40–$150. Locksmith re-pin or cylinder swap: $75–$200 per lock, plus service call.
InstallModerate for a direct cylinder swap; re-pinning an existing cylinder requires a pin kit, follower, and patience. No structural or electrical work. A licensed locksmith is recommended if you are unsure about measuring or matching the cylinder to the existing hardware.
DetersDeters covert entry through the lock cylinder—picking, bumping, drilling, and impressioning. Does not deter forced entry through the door, frame, or glass, and does not record anything.
A lock cylinder is the small, keyed plug that translates the turn of a key into the movement of a deadbolt or latch.