At a glance
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Hardware on display
See finishes and try levers and handlesets in our store.
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Taymor, Emtek, Alfred
Taymor is the residential brand we carry; Emtek and Alfred too.
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Installed to latch
Strikes aligned and doors adjusted so locks work without a shove.
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Repairs, not just sales
Hinges, closers and worn hardware fixed as well as replaced.
The lock on your front door gets used thousands of times a year. When it’s right, you never think about it. When it isn’t, the key sticks, the bolt has to be forced, or the door won’t latch without a shoulder. We sell and install deadbolts and residential door hardware, and our deadbolt installation work includes the part that is easy to skip: making the door and strike line up so the lock works smoothly.
Deadbolts
A deadbolt is the main security lock on most exterior doors. Unlike the spring latch in a knob or lever, the bolt can’t be pushed back with a card or a shim.
- Single cylinder: a key outside and a thumbturn inside. The usual choice for homes, because anyone inside can get out quickly.
- Double cylinder: a key on both sides, sometimes chosen for doors with glass next to the lock. The trade-off is that you need a key to get out, which can be dangerous in a fire, so think carefully and keep the key accessible.
- High-security deadbolts: for pick and drill resistance and keys that can’t be copied freely. See Mul-T-Lock high-security locks.
- Keypad deadbolts: no key needed day to day. See keypad and smart locks.
What a good installation looks like
Most of a deadbolt’s strength comes from how it’s fitted. The bolt should throw fully into the strike without catching. The strike plate should be fixed with long screws that reach the wall framing, not just the soft door jamb, because a kicked door usually fails at the jamb. Where needed, we adjust the strike, deepen the bolt hole, or tighten hinges so the door sits where it should. New deadbolts usually fit an existing hole, as long as the backset, the distance from the door edge to the centre of the hole, matches.
Handlesets, gripsets, knobs and levers
A handleset or gripset pairs a decorative exterior grip with a deadbolt above it, and is a common choice for front doors. On other doors, knobs and levers do the everyday latching. Levers are easier for anyone with arthritis, limited grip or full hands, which is why many people now choose them throughout the house. We help match function to each door: passage (no lock) for hallways, privacy for bathrooms and bedrooms, and keyed entry for exterior doors.
Brands
Taymor is the residential brand we carry, with a range of styles and finishes. We also offer Emtek and Alfred locks. If you want every door in the house to look the same and run on one key, we can coordinate the finish and key the exterior locks alike. Seeing the hardware in person is the best way to choose, and it’s on display in our store at 300 Manitou Drive.
Finishes
Finish is a bigger decision than it looks. Black, satin nickel, chrome, brass and bronze tones all suit different houses, and exterior hardware takes sun, salt and frost that interior hardware never sees. Choose one finish for the whole house, or at least for each floor, so the hardware looks deliberate. Seeing samples side by side in the store makes the choice much easier than a screen.
Hinges and sagging doors
When a door rubs the frame or the latch misses the strike, the lock is often blamed for a hinge problem. Worn hinges, stripped screw holes or short screws let the door drop. Hinge replacement, longer screws into the framing, or a small adjustment often brings the door back into line and makes the lock work again.
Door closers for homes
Closers aren’t only for commercial buildings. Homeowners add them to doors that should never be left open, such as the door from an attached garage or a gate to a pool area, and to doors that slam in the wind. A properly adjusted closer shuts the door gently and fully every time.
Repairs and operators
We repair door hardware as well as replacing it. And where someone in the household needs help getting through a door, we install residential automatic door operators.
Thinking about new hardware after a move? You may only need rekeying. To book an installation, call 519-894-7055 or request a quote.
Questions people ask
Should I get a single or double cylinder deadbolt?
Most homes use single cylinder deadbolts, with a thumbturn inside, so people can get out quickly in an emergency. A double cylinder needs a key on both sides, which can slow an exit in a fire.
Will a new deadbolt fit the hole in my door?
Usually. Most deadbolts fit a standard bore, and many adjust for the two common backsets. We check before installing and adjust the door or strike if needed.
Can my new locks use the same key as my other doors?
Yes. We can key new locks alike with each other, or to your existing key when the keyway matches.
Lever or knob?
Levers are easier to use with limited grip, wet hands or full arms, which is why many people choose them. Knobs suit some traditional styles. Both come in passage, privacy and keyed versions.
My door won’t latch unless I push it. Is the lock broken?
Often not. The door may have sagged on worn hinges, or the strike may be out of line. Adjusting the door or replacing hinges usually fixes it.
Can I buy hardware in your store and install it myself?
Yes. Our store sells door hardware, and we’re happy to help you pick the right lock and function for each door.