Author: Robert Vallelunga
-
What is Door Handing?
Door handing refers to the direction the door swings when it opens and from which side, left or right, that the door is hinged. You can determine your door’s handing by determining which hand you would use to open the door. If you naturally want to use your left hand, the door handing is left…
-
How to Lock a File Cabinet: A Locksmith’s Guide
To lock a file cabinet, you have four options. If a lock is installed, but you don’t have the key, get a replacement key cut from the code stamped on the lock or replace the file cabinet lock if it is missing or broken. If no lock exists on the file cabinet, add a locking…
-
Best Ways to Lock Cabinet Doors
Cam Locks | Double Door Locks | Electronic Cabinet Locks | Magnetic Cabinet Locks | Plunger Locks | Showcase Locks In our article “How to Lock Drawers” we discussed several types of locks that also lend themselves well to locking cabinet doors. The nice part about cabinet door locks is that there is always a…
-
The 5 Lockset Functions: Passage, Privacy, Entry, Storeroom, Classroom
The five common lockset functions are passage, privacy, entry, storeroom, and classroom. Passage never locks, privacy locks from inside with no key, entry locks from either side, storeroom stays locked outside and needs a key, and classroom is keyed from the outside only. Pick by how the room is used: closets get passage, bedrooms and…
-
ANSI Lock Grades Explained: Grade 1 vs 2 vs 3 (Full Specs)
ANSI lock grades rank a lock’s strength and durability from Grade 1 (best) to Grade 3 (basic). The grade comes from how many open-close cycles the lock survives, how many door strikes (hammer blows) it takes, and a weight test. Grade 1 is commercial-strength, Grade 2 is solid for homes, and Grade 3 is the…
-
Arizona Pool Fence Code Requirements
Arizona pool fence code (A.R.S. 36-1681) requires a barrier around the entire pool that is at least 5 feet tall, with every gate or door to the pool self-closing and self-latching. The latch release must sit at least 54 inches high to keep small children out, unless the gate is secured with a keyed or…
-
How Much Does It Cost to Rekey House Locks in 2026?
Rekeying a house costs about $250 to $350 for three doors in Phoenix for a basic rekey when a locksmith comes to you. This includes the service call, removing, rekeying, lubricating, and reinstalling the locks. In-shop rekeying is cheaper, around $20 per cylinder, and a DIY rekey kit runs about $10 to $30. Rekeying is…
-
Car Key Replacement Cost in 2026: What It Costs to Replace a Car Key
Car key replacement cost, when all keys have been lost, runs $50 to $180 for a basic metal key, $220 to $350 for a transponder (chip) key, and $250 to $800+ for a smart fob, when every key is lost and a locksmith cuts and programs the new key on site. That is the lost…
-
How to Secure French Doors From Break-Ins
The biggest French door weakness is the passive (inactive) door, held only by flush bolts a screwdriver can pop. To secure French doors: drive a long screw through the flush bolt channel so the passive door cannot be forced, add a high-security deadbolt with a 3-inch-screw strike, apply security film to the glass, and reinforce…
-
Yale Assure Connect by August Smart Lock Review
Product Highlights | Detailed Review | Upgradable to WIFI | Keyless Version | Lock Control & Monitoring | What’s in the Box | Comparison to Other Locks | Video Review Overview of the Yale Assure Connect by August (CBA) lock The Yale Assure Smart lock is ACME Locksmith’s favorite smart lock. It is a BHMA…