How To Identify Old Door Locks

Bring a magnet with you when looking for padlocks.

How to identify old door locks.

Place the front door key for. These can be rekeyed using kwikset keys and factory tumblers as key cylinder dimensions are usually identical. Meet the mortise lock and door knobs. Smart locks these are the newest types of locks with the most features.

This mortise lock set is installed in a 1930 colonial in the boston area. The keypad can be programmed to accept a numerical digit code that can easily be reset to a. Iron is silvery gray. And steel is brownish gray.

Genuine kwikset deadbolts have the name kwikset embossed in bolt s face plate on the edge of the door older ones say kwikset right on the faceplate of the lock. Many of today s locks feature a keypad with a code instead of an old fashioned key to unlock the door. Morticed or on sits on the outside rim what locking mechanisms are on the lock. Is the lock on the chiselled into the door.

Metals can be identified by their color. Look at the edge of your door on the latch for a name. The country and city where the doorknob was installed. Brass is yellow or reddish.

Check for a manufactures stamp on the lock face plate. Notice the set screw on the base of the knob on the right. Doing so will ensure that even if you cannot remember exactly where the key is you know that it is nearby. Other clues and data regarding building age and history of modifications additions renovations.

Place and keep each key next to or near its matching door. Knockoffs are blank faced like this one. This screw should hold the knob securely to the spindle when you turn the knob. The age of the building where the door knob was installed.

If you re having trouble identifying your door lock type follow these simple steps. 3 ways to identify your hour keys and locks. An old mortice lock may display problems and issues that are difficult to diagnose so you will most likely have to resort to the help of a specialist in the event of an issue. 4 key head shape.

Many locks from the past 200 years are steel brass or a combination but there are other metals out there such as iron.