Lock Changes & Replacement

Lock Change and Replacement Services in Longwood, FL

Replacing a lock is not always the right answer, and a good locksmith will tell you when it is not. If your locks are in good shape and you only want old keys to stop working, rekeying does that for less. A full lock change makes sense when the hardware is worn, damaged, outdated, or simply not strong enough for the door it protects. Lion Locksmith & Security handles lock change and lock replacement work for homes and businesses in Longwood and throughout Seminole County, and it is the job we do more than any other.

Signs Your Door Lock Needs Replacing

Locks wear out slowly, so the warning signs are easy to ignore. Most people adjust to a stubborn lock without noticing how bad it has become. A lock that needs replacing usually shows one or more of these problems.

• The key sticks, catches, or has to be jiggled to turn
• The latch or bolt no longer extends fully into the door frame
• The lock was damaged in a break-in or an attempted one
• The finish is corroded or the handle has come loose
• The old lock is a low-grade model on an exterior door
• You want a keypad or smart lock in its place

One sticky lock does not always mean the whole house needs new hardware. We look at each door and tell you which locks are worth keeping.

Different Types of Door Locks We Replace

Homes and businesses use different hardware, and we replace both kinds. On houses, that usually means deadbolts, entry knobs, lever handles, and handle sets, along with locks on sliding and patio doors. Our deadbolt and lock installation service covers doors that need a new lock where none existed. On commercial buildings, we replace lever locks, storefront door locks, heavy-duty mortise locks, and the keyed cylinders inside them as part of our commercial door hardware work. We change smaller locks on mailboxes, desks, and file cabinets as well.

Choosing a New Lock by Its Security Grade

Independent labs test quality door locks and sort them into three grades. Grade 1 is the strongest and is built for commercial use and heavy traffic. Grade 2 is a solid choice for most house locks on exterior doors, and Grade 3 is light-duty hardware better suited to interior doors. We install quality lock brands, and we will match the grade to the door instead of selling you more lock than you need.

Fitting New Hardware to Your Door and Frame

A new door lock has to fit the holes already cut in your door. The key measurement is the backset, which is the distance from the door's edge to the center of the lock. Door thickness and the size of the existing openings matter too, and getting them wrong leaves gaps or a lock that binds. Measuring before you buy avoids most of these problems.

The frame deserves as much attention as the lock. A strong lock in a weak door frame will not hold against a hard kick. The strike plate, which is the metal plate the bolt locks into, holds far better when long screws anchor it to the wall framing behind the trim.

Picking Finishes That Hold Up in Florida Weather

Heat, humidity, and rain are hard on exterior hardware in Central Florida. Cheaper finishes can pit and discolor, and moisture can make a mechanism feel stiff over time. Choosing a lock with a durable, corrosion-resistant finish helps it last longer and work more smoothly. We point out which options stand up better on doors that take direct sun or rain.

What Happens During a Lock Change Visit

We remove the old lock, fit and align the new hardware, and adjust the strike so the bolt throws cleanly. We can set several new locks to the same key, so you carry one key for the whole house. We hand you the new keys and recommend that you throw away the old ones. If only the keys are the concern, we may suggest lock rekeying as the more affordable route.

Our owner is a second-generation locksmith, and the business is family-owned, bonded, insured, and background-checked. New locks we install carry our standard one-year parts and labor warranty. Pricing is flat and quoted up front, and we offer a discount for military members and seniors.

Schedule Your Lock Change

We change locks in Longwood, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary, and Sanford, and same-day service is often available. Before you get in touch, count the doors that need work and note the brand of your current locks if you can see it. Contact us for a free estimate in English or Spanish.