Lock cylinders

The small part your door security hangs on

Q: "How long does a cylinder replacement take?"

"The replacement itself is a matter of minutes, because only one screw has to come out. The time goes into measuring and into the advice, so that length and specification really suit your door."

Q: "Does anything on the door have to be altered?"

"No. The cylinder comes out and a new one goes in. Nothing is drilled or chiselled, and the door, the furniture and the lock all stay as they are."

Q: "I rent my home. Am I allowed to change the cylinder?"

"Yes, and that is yours to decide. You are only obliged to restore the original state when you move out. That is why we keep your old cylinder and hand it back to you labelled, ready to go back in when you leave."

Q: "What does a lock cylinder cost?"

"That depends on the length and above all on the specification, because there is a considerable difference between a basic and a well protected cylinder. We show you two or three sensible options with the price for each and you decide. The price is fixed before the work begins."

Q: "Can I not just order a cylinder online?"

"You can, and many people do. Two things often go wrong: the length is not right, because it is measured separately inwards and outwards. And the specification does not match the plan, for instance because the emergency function is missing or a thumbturn would be needed. If you have already bought one, we are happy to fit it, provided it suits."

Q: "Can I get a single key for several doors?"

"Yes, that is called keyed alike. The front door, cellar, garage and garden gate get cylinders that all take the same key. With several parties or staff, the rights can be graded on top of that, so a master key opens everything and individual keys only open their own doors."

The lock cylinder is the piece your key goes into. It can be changed in a few minutes without altering anything about the door. And it decides more about the security of your door than anything else you can fit to it.

Request advice 03683 653 90 40

Measuring and recommendation on site
Fixed price before any work starts
Also as a keyed alike set

Why the cylinder of all things

A good door does little with a weak cylinder

Anyone trying to get past a door usually starts exactly where the key goes in. A heavy door with a solid locking mechanism helps little if the cylinder gives way. The other way round, a good cylinder achieves a lot, because it holds at the very place that gets attacked first.

The cylinder can be replaced independently of the rest of the door
There are big differences between a basic and a protected cylinder
A cylinder belongs together with door furniture that covers and protects it
An electronic lock changes none of this, it only turns the key

The most common mistake when buying online

The length has to be right on both sides

A cylinder is not measured as one length but as two: from the centre inwards and from the centre outwards. The two are rarely the same. That is why a cylinder bought online often does not fit, even though the overall length is correct.

If the cylinder protrudes too far on the outside, it offers something to grip and attack
If it is too short, in the worst case the door no longer closes properly
Electronic locks add their own requirements for how far it has to stand out on the inside
We measure on site, so it fits first time

What your cylinder should be able to do

Unlock from outside even with a key in the inside

In German this is called the emergency function. It sounds technical, but in everyday life it is exactly what counts: if there is a key or a thumbturn on the inside, you can still get in from outside. Without it you are locked out the moment someone leaves a key in.

Emergency function: unlock from outside even with a key left in on the inside
Thumbturn cylinder: a knob instead of a key inside, handy for children and older people and a requirement for many electronic locks
Keyed alike: one key for the front door, cellar, garage and garden gate
Security card: replacement keys only against the card, not on request

When replacing the cylinder makes sense

Not every reason is an emergency, but each of these is a good reason to give it some thought.

A key has gone missing
As soon as it is unclear where it is, someone could have picked it up. With a replacement you get new keys and the old one opens nothing.
The most common and most important reason.
You have just moved in
How many keys are in circulation and who holds them is usually impossible to say: trades, previous tenants, neighbours. A new cylinder gives you a clean start.
As a tenant you are allowed to do this, see below.
The cylinder is old or unprotected
Many doors still carry the cylinder they were built with. There are worlds between a basic and a well protected cylinder, and replacing it is one of the few real improvements that are quick to make.
It belongs together with door furniture that covers it.
You are planning an electronic lock
Many electronic solutions require a particular cylinder, with a thumbturn inside and the emergency function. Then both get done in one appointment.
Saves a second visit.

The measuring is our job and we do it on site. We bring the common lengths with us and match the choice to your door.

What suits whom

House and flat

A protected cylinder on the front door, and if you like a key that opens the cellar and garage as well.

Landlords and management

When tenants change, the cylinder is swapped quickly. With a proper system you keep track of master and individual keys.

Business and practice

Graded locking rights, so each person gets exactly where they are allowed to go and no further.

After an attempted break-in

Even if nothing happened: a cylinder that has been attacked should be replaced, and we look at the door furniture at the same time.

Common questions about lock cylinders

How long does a cylinder replacement take?

The replacement itself is a matter of minutes, because only one screw has to come out. The time goes into measuring and into the advice, so that length and specification really suit your door.

Does anything on the door have to be altered?

No. The cylinder comes out and a new one goes in. Nothing is drilled or chiselled, and the door, the furniture and the lock all stay as they are.

I rent my home. Am I allowed to change the cylinder?

Yes, and that is yours to decide. You are only obliged to restore the original state when you move out. That is why we keep your old cylinder and hand it back to you labelled, ready to go back in when you leave.

What does a lock cylinder cost?

That depends on the length and above all on the specification, because there is a considerable difference between a basic and a well protected cylinder. We show you two or three sensible options with the price for each and you decide. The price is fixed before the work begins.

Can I not just order a cylinder online?

You can, and many people do. Two things often go wrong: the length is not right, because it is measured separately inwards and outwards. And the specification does not match the plan, for instance because the emergency function is missing or a thumbturn would be needed. If you have already bought one, we are happy to fit it, provided it suits.

Can I get a single key for several doors?

Yes, that is called keyed alike. The front door, cellar, garage and garden gate get cylinders that all take the same key. With several parties or staff, the rights can be graded on top of that, so a master key opens everything and individual keys only open their own doors.

Not sure what is fitted to your door?

We will look, measure up and tell you whether a replacement makes sense. And we say so just as clearly when your current cylinder is good enough.

03683 653 90 40

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