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License number: 08802
New lock installation
Installing a New Lock Is Different From Replacing One
If a lock already exists and is being changed for another one, that is usually a lock replacement.
Lock installation is different. It may involve fitting a lock to a new door, adding an additional lock, fitting security hardware where there was previously no lock, changing the arrangement because the way the door is used has changed, or choosing a suitable lock for a door that was never properly secured in the first place.
The important question is therefore not simply: “Which lock is strongest?”
When Might You Need a New Lock Installed?
01
A new door has been fitted
A new timber door may require a completely new locking arrangement. Lock type, position, backset, thickness and the relationship with the frame all matter. A good lock can still perform badly if the bolt does not enter the keep properly.
02
You want an additional lock
An additional lock can improve an arrangement, but simply adding more locks does not automatically make a door more secure. It must be suitable, sensibly positioned and fitted without unnecessarily weakening the door.
03
The existing arrangement is inadequate
Some older doors have very basic hardware, or a latch without proper deadlocking. Improving the locking arrangement can make more sense than fitting another version of the same hardware.
04
The use of the property has changed
A home, rental, office, storeroom or shared-access door may need a different solution. Consider who needs access, exit from inside and whether the door and frame are suitable.
Which Lock Is Right for Your Door?
There is no single “best lock” for every door. What suits one door may be wrong for another, depending on:
Door material
Timber, UPVC, composite, metal or another construction.
Door thickness & construction
The chosen lock has to fit correctly without unnecessarily weakening the door.
How the door closes
The frame, keeps and alignment all affect how the lock operates.
Existing hardware
Handles, cylinders, night latches and multipoint mechanisms can affect the available options.
How the door is used
Front entrance, rear entrance, internal secure room and commercial access may require different solutions.
Required level of security
Different locks and cylinders are designed for different applications and levels of security.
Different lock systems are designed for different applications.
Timber doors
Lock Installation on Timber Doors
Timber doors offer more flexibility because mortice locks, rim locks and other hardware can often be fitted directly into or onto the door. But that also means installation quality matters enormously. Common problems with poor installations include:
- too much material removed from the door
- insufficient timber surrounding a mortice lock
- poor lock or keep positioning
- difficult bolt operation
- a lock that works badly because the door itself is misaligned
Mortice Locks
Mortice locks are installed into a pocket cut into the edge of a suitable door. Depending on the design, the lock may contain a deadbolt, a latch, or both.
Mortice deadlock
Primarily provides a key-operated locking bolt.
Mortice sashlock
Combines a latch for normal closing with a separate locking bolt and is commonly used with handles.
Accurate morticing, correct size and backset, suitable door thickness, handle position, keep positioning and clean bolt engagement all matter.
Because the lock sits inside the door, poor fitting can affect both lock operation and the strength of the surrounding door material.
Rim Locks and Night Latches
A rim lock or night latch is mounted mainly on the inside surface of the door rather than being deeply morticed into it. This can make it suitable where another type of installation is impractical.
But the cylinder, latch, keep and door alignment must all work together.
A functioning night latch can still operate badly if the latch and keep do not meet correctly.
What About UPVC and Composite Doors?
UPVC and many composite doors normally use an integrated multipoint locking system rather than a separate traditional mortice lock. The door profile, gearbox, mechanism, cylinder, handles, hooks or bolts and keeps are designed to work as a system.
For those systems, see UPVC Door Lock Repair Dublin.
Security is not just a number
More Locks Do Not Automatically Mean More Security
It is tempting to think one lock means secure and two locks means twice as secure. But security does not work that neatly. An additional lock may provide little benefit if it is fitted to a weak part of the door, does not engage securely with the frame, is too close to another cut-out, is poorly aligned, inappropriate or interferes with safe exit.
Before adding hardware, ask: “What problem are we actually trying to solve?”
A Good Lock Can Still Perform Poorly If It Is Fitted Badly
A lock is only one part of the door-security system. The bolt has to enter the keep properly, the keep has to be securely fixed, the door has to align with the frame, the surrounding material has to remain strong enough and the lock has to be appropriate for the door.
Product quality and installation quality are two different things — and you need both.
What About the Cylinder?
Where a locking system uses a euro-profile cylinder, the cylinder is a separate security component. A strong lock mechanism with a poor cylinder can leave a weak point, and a good cylinder can still be compromised by poor fitting.
Higher-security cylinder options, including APECS AP, may be suitable where the existing locking system uses a euro-profile cylinder.
Does the Lock Need to Meet a Particular Standard?
Different locks, multipoint systems and cylinders are covered by different product standards. Customers normally do not need to understand classification codes.
The useful takeaway: lock choice should be based on the actual door, intended use and required security — not simply a familiar brand name or the largest-looking lock.
Safe exit matters too
What About Final Exit Doors and Thumb-Turn Locks?
Lock choice is not only about resistance from outside. On some doors, safe and straightforward exit from inside is also important.
Irish guidance includes requirements relating to final exit doors in newly built dwellings, extensions and certain replacement situations. A thumb-turn or another suitable internal release arrangement may therefore be relevant depending on the door and circumstances.
New Lock or Lock Replacement?
Lock installation
More likely when:
- there was no lock in that position before
- a new door requires hardware
- an additional lock is being added
- the locking arrangement itself is being upgraded
- a different lock configuration is required
Lock replacement
More likely when:
- an existing lock is being removed
- another lock is being fitted in its place
- existing keys need to be invalidated
- the old lock is damaged
- the old lock is obsolete
Already have a lock that simply needs changing? See Lock Replacement Dublin
What Types of Locks Can We Install?
01
Mortice deadlocks
02
Mortice sashlocks
03
Rim locks
04
Night latches
05
Euro-cylinder-based locking systems where suitable
06
Compatible residential door hardware
07
Compatible commercial door hardware
08
Additional security locks where appropriate
For UPVC and composite multipoint systems, see UPVC Door Lock Repair Dublin. For offices, shops and managed properties, see Commercial Locksmith Dublin.
Clear advice, careful fitting
What Happens When DIALOCK Installs a New Lock?
01
We inspect the door
We look at the door construction, thickness, existing hardware, frame, alignment and intended use.
02
We discuss what you are trying to achieve
Is the goal a new lock on a new door, additional security, easier operation, different key control or replacing an inadequate locking arrangement?
03
We recommend an appropriate option
We explain which lock type makes sense and why. If there is a simpler or more appropriate solution, we explain that too.
04
We agree the price
The proposed work and price are agreed before installation begins. No call-out charge if the customer decides not to proceed.
05
We fit and test the lock
After fitting, we test key operation, latch or bolt movement, keep alignment, handles where relevant, door closing and final locking operation.
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What Our Customers Say
Emily Coleman
1 review
a month ago
Janis helped us late at night on a bank holiday weekend when we got locked out of our house. He came as quick as he could and unlocked it for us very quickly. Great service
Evan Doherty
Local Guide · 15 reviews · 64 photos
2 weeks ago
Locked myself out and Janis got me back in very quickly and efficiently without having to break anything. All done very clean and fast
Henrique Kerfah
5 reviews · 1 photo
3 weeks ago
Just had a tricky middle of the night service , and Janis came in 20min.. did all the job with excellence and swiftness.. amazing.. 5 stars completely
Robert O'Connor
4 reviews
a month ago
Within an hour of the initial call, Janis arrived as promised. He was polite and very professional. He sorted out the door problem very quickly and neatly. I would highly recommend the company to anyone.
Natasha Morrow
Local Guide · 5 reviews
a month ago
Super quick honest and helpful, would recommend - thank you Serge for sorting the issue out with the pvc door today.
AOIFE LYNCH
3 reviews
2 months ago
Lovely company to deal with over the phone. Serge came out very promptly on a Saturday morning. I didn’t get charged as the lock ended up being ok .Great service and would definitely use again.
James O'Higgins Norman
Local Guide · 3 reviews · 37 photos
2 months ago
Having been broken into, Janis came as fast as possible and changed our lock in minutes. He was very helpful and reassuring.
James O'Higgins Norman
Local Guide · 3 reviews · 37 photos
2 months ago
Having been broken into, Janis came as fast as possible and changed our lock in minutes. He was very helpful and reassuring.
No hidden fees, no surprises
How Much Does Lock Installation Cost in Dublin?
The final cost can depend on the lock type, door material, whether a new opening needs to be cut, additional hardware, the condition of the frame, installation complexity and parts required.
Lock installation from €124 + parts
✓ Fixed Price Before Work Starts
✓ No Call-out Charge if you decide not to proceed
Get in touch
Need a New Lock Installed?
Tell us about the door and where the property is. We’ll explain the suitable options and the price before any work starts.
Useful questions to ask
Before Having a New Lock Installed
01
What are we trying to improve?
Security, key control, convenience or a new door with no existing hardware?
02
Is this lock suitable for the door?
A lock suitable for a timber front door may not be appropriate for a modern UPVC multipoint door.
03
Will fitting it weaken the door?
With mortice installations, the amount and position of material removed from the door matters.
04
How will the lock affect normal exit and use?
Security from outside should not be considered in isolation from how the door needs to operate from inside.
Use a PSA Licensed Locksmith
Locksmith activity in Ireland includes installing locking devices.
DIALOCK — PSA Licence 08802
Answers, clearly explained
Lock Installation — Common Questions
-
How much does it cost to install a new lock in Dublin?
Lock installation starts from €124 plus parts. The final cost depends on the lock type, door material, whether a new opening is needed and the complexity of fitting.
-
Can you fit a lock to a door that does not currently have one?
Yes, where the door and frame are suitable. We inspect the construction, intended use and available locking options before recommending a fitting.
-
Can I add a second lock to my front door?
Sometimes. An additional lock should be positioned sensibly, work with the frame and not unnecessarily weaken the door.
-
Is an extra lock always more secure?
No. A lock fitted to a weak area, poorly aligned with its keep or inappropriate for the door may offer little benefit.
-
What is the difference between lock installation and lock replacement?
Installation creates a new lock position or locking arrangement. Replacement changes a lock that is already in place. See our Lock Replacement Dublin service for existing locks that need changing.
-
Can you install a mortice lock?
Mortice deadlocks and sashlocks can often be fitted to suitable timber doors, with the correct lock size, backset, keep and door construction considered.
-
What is the difference between a mortice deadlock and sashlock?
A deadlock mainly provides a key-operated bolt. A sashlock combines a normal latch with a separate locking bolt and is commonly used with handles.
-
Can you install a night latch?
Yes, where suitable. The cylinder, latch, keep and door alignment all need to work together.
-
Can you install an additional lock on a UPVC door?
Modern UPVC and composite doors normally use integrated multipoint systems, so they should not be treated like timber doors. See UPVC Door Lock Repair Dublin for those systems.
-
Can I choose a high-security euro cylinder?
Where the locking system uses a euro-profile cylinder, higher-security options including APECS AP may be suitable. Security Upgrades Dublin.
-
Do I need a thumb-turn on my front door?
A suitable internal release can matter on final exit doors depending on the door and circumstances. We can explain the relevant options.
-
Will you tell me the price before installation?
Yes. The proposed work and price are agreed before installation begins.
-
Do I pay if I decide not to proceed?
No. If you choose not to proceed after inspection and quotation, there is no call-out charge.
Dublin locksmith services
Need a New Lock Fitted?
We'll recommend the right type for your door, explain your options and agree the price before work begins.
- PSA Licence 08802
- 12-month warranty
- Dublin & surrounding areas
