How to change the lock of your armored door easily

Have you lost your house keys and are worried that someone might gain access to your home? The simplest solution to maintain peace of mind in this regard is to change the lock on your armored door, thus ensuring that only those who have the corresponding key will be able to enter. Otherwise, what would be the point of having an armored door?

Surely you have heard on more than one occasion of the exorbitant prices of locksmith work, even more so when it is an emergency. Learning how to change the lock of your armored door with your own hands will help you to avoid this expense and, above all, to increase the security of your home against any intrusion.

When to change the lock of an armored door

One of the most common doubts about changing the lock of an armored door is when it is convenient to do it. To begin with, when the mechanism starts to fail, it is a good moment to renew it, before it can generate an unpleasant situation.

Also, keep in mind that this is the most important security mechanism in most homes, so it is recommended to take this step whenever there is a change of residence or a loss of keys, especially when there is a possibility of identifying the address associated with them.

What do you need to change the lock of an armored door?

Probably, changing the lock of an armored door is one of the DIY tasks in which you will use less materials and tools. However, they are all essential and irreplaceable elements when carrying out this work, so take note: you will need the new cylinder – making sure that it matches in size and shape with the previous one – with its set of keys and a screwdriver.

How to change the lock of your armored door step-by-step

The steps you must follow to change the lock of your armored door are very simple. Prepare the materials and tools mentioned above and follow each of the following steps in the order we indicate, to first remove the old cylinder and then install the new one properly:

1. Remove all the screws surrounding the lock, both the ones on the edge and the ones holding the handle.
2. Extract the entire mechanism by inserting the key in the cylinder and making the closing gesture to extract it.
3. Note the position in which the cylinder was installed and insert the new one, making it coincide with the hole in the lock.
4. Re-tighten each of the screws that were removed in the first step of the process.
5. Check that the new lock on your armored door works properly by opening and closing it a couple of times.

Recommendations for changing the lock on an armored door

Although we have mentioned it before, it is important to emphasize the importance of choosing a cylinder that has the same size and shape as the one you are going to remove, this is something you should take into account even if you decide to also change the door hardware, as it must fit the internal mechanism. On the other hand, although it is not necessary, sometimes it is more convenient to disassemble it to work, so you can consider this option.

How much does it cost to change the lock on an armored door?

The work of changing the lock of an armored door varies in price depending on several factors. On the one hand, it will depend on whether you want to change only the cylinder or the entire mechanism, while, on the other hand, the complexity of the elements can also make the labor more or less expensive.

In addition, other factors such as the time of the service or the area in which it is requested also play a role. In general, it can range from 50 to 250 euros, taking into account all of the above.

Change the lock on an armored door or install a deadbolt?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether it is better to change the lock of your armored door or to add a deadbolt. To answer this question, it is best to analyze each of these mechanisms, their security and the possibilities they offer.

Armored door with lock

The differential factor in the lock of an armored door is that its mechanism is internal, which means that its manipulation without a key is much more complex. On the other hand, this element can offer a longer locking travel -although this is not always the case-, which significantly increases security.

Armored door with lock

In the case of the deadbolt, we are faced with a mechanism that is easier to manipulate with some techniques, such as bumping. However, there are alternatives on the market anti-bumping and double deadbolt options that, despite not reaching the level of the lock, are positioned as a security mechanism.

What is the best option for an armored door?

In any of the cases in which we have recommended to carry out this work, the most advisable thing is to change the lock of an armored door. And it is that, as much by breakdown as by security, it is the most practical option. Mainly, because the lock is more secure than the bolt, so the latter can be an extra, but never the main security mechanism.

Why it is important to change the lock on an armored door

There are several reasons to change the lock of an armored door, but they all revolve around the security of the house. You may have lost the keys, you may have left them inside the house – with the consequent need to damage the cylinder – or simply to ensure that no one can enter. This also happens when we move house or do not want someone with the old keys to gain access.

In any of these cases, as we say, we are talking about an increase in security. For this reason, there are experts who recommend changing the lock of an armored door from time to time. Keep in mind that it is an element designed specifically for the protection of your home, so it never hurts to improve it through a gesture as simple as this.