How we help
Repair or replace storefront cylinders, door locks and gate hardware. We look at the door alignment and locking mechanism together to keep daily opening and closing straightforward.
Common situations
- Glass storefront door will not lock at closing
- Worn deadlatch on an aluminum door
- Former staff still holding cylinder keys
- Door hardware damaged in an overnight break-in
What the service includes
- 01The door hardware (deadlock, deadlatch, cylinder length, cam type) and the gate locking points are identified.
- 02The failed lock is opened or removed, cutting a seized padlock only when it cannot be picked.
- 03The new cylinder, lock body or padlocks are installed, matching the cam and cylinder length to the narrow-stile door.
- 04The storefront cylinder and gate locks are keyed alike if you want one key to open the business.
- 05The hook bolt, the gate slide bolts and the keys are tested several times, including with the gate fully down.
Typical time: 15-45 minutes for most jobs
Options
- Cylinder replacement
- A new mortise cylinder in the existing Adams Rite lock; often fixes a worn cam.
- New deadlock or deadlatch body
- When the hook bolt or latch mechanism itself has failed.
- Shrouded padlocks
- Weather- and cut-resistant padlocks for gate slide bolts.
- Keyed-alike or restricted system
- One key for door and gate, on a restricted keyway if many staff carry keys.
Storefront and gate hardware
Compatibility and limits
- Gate motors, springs and slats are gate-company work, not lock work.
- A dropped door on worn pivots must be adjusted or the new lock will still miss the strike.
- Replacing a whole roll-down gate in Minneapolis may trigger visibility requirements for the new gate.
Can one key open my store door and my gate?
Read the answer
Usually yes. Many padlock lines accept interchangeable cylinders, and storefront mortise cylinders can be keyed to match, so one key can open the gate padlocks, the door and even the back door.
Keying alike makes opening faster for staff, but it also means a lost key exposes everything. For businesses with several employees, use a restricted keyway so copies cannot be made at a hardware store.
If different people should open the gate and the office, a small master key system gives each person the right key while the owner carries one key for all.
Common questions
My gate padlock is frozen. What should I do?
Do not force the key, because snapping it inside makes the job harder. A lock de-icer or gentle warmth can free it. If it still will not open, a locksmith can pick or cut it and fit a weather-resistant padlock.
Can my gate be opened if I lost the key?
Yes, with proof that you own or manage the business. The padlocks are picked or cut and replaced so you can close up again.
Do locksmiths repair roll-down gate motors and springs?
Generally no. Motors, springs and slats are handled by roll-down gate companies. Locksmiths handle the padlocks, center locks and storefront door locks.
What is the best padlock for a roll-down gate?
A shrouded padlock with a hardened boron or steel shackle and a weather cover resists cutting and the elements. A high-security cylinder adds key control.
Why will my storefront door not lock?
Often the hook bolt is missing the strike because the door has dropped on its pivots, or the cylinder cam is worn. Adjusting or replacing the failed part usually fixes it.