How do you safely change the locks on your doors?

Our guide will teach you everything you need to know.

There are different reasons you may be interested in learning how to change door locks. Perhaps you have a broken door from a burglary? Or, maybe you recently moved into a new home and want to change the locks for safety reasons?

Regardless, the method used to replace your locks will depend on the lock in question. 

Typically, most properties will have one - or a combination - of these three locks:

• Mortice lock
• Euro cylinder lock
• Rim cylinder lock

All three of these can be removed and replaced by yourself, so let us show you how:

Changing a mortice lock

Start by measuring from the front edge of the door to the centre of the keyhole. You will be presented with one of two measurements:

• 45mm
• 57mm

If you have a 45mm distance, you will need to buy a 65mm mortice lock replacement, while a 75mm mortice lock is needed for the other. Now, you can begin changing the lock by removing the screws from the faceplate of the lock. Turn the key so the bolt is poking out, and you can then remove it using some pliers. Put your new lock in place, screwing the faceplate back over it. Then, you have to remove the keep from the doorframe and screw in your new one.

Changing a euro cylinder lock

Start by unscrewing the lock fixing screw on the inside of the door. Put your key in the door and turn it to the left or right so the cam tongue inside lines up perfectly. As you do this, pull your key out and the lock should slowly slide all the way out.

Place your new lock into the hole and then move the key again to get the cam tongue in place. Screw your lock back, and the job is complete.

Changing a rim cylinder lock

Rim cylinder locks have a night latch on the interior part of the door, and this can be removed by unscrewing it and taking the casing off. You should now see the cylinder aspect of the lock, which has some more screws for you to remove. Pull the cylinder out, and you can fit your new one. 

Ensure your new lock is the right size because screwing it in place and reattaching the night latch. 

Of course, be sure you test the locks after you have changed them, regardless of the type. Sometimes, you may discover that there’s a screw missing or you replaced something incorrectly, meaning your doors won’t lock properly!

Don’t Want To Change Your Locks Yourself? Hire A Professional Instead!

If you don’t have the time or DIY skills to do any of this, you can hire a professional to do it instead. At Nightsafe Glass, we are emergency glaziers offering 24-hour emergency boarding to our clients. Alongside this, we also provide replacement lock services for doors and windows. 

Feel free to get in touch with us today and we can change any locks for you.

Emergency Freephone: 0800 371 742