Door locks on a South African house usually work in layers: a lever or cylinder lock set in the door itself, often with a deadbolt or a security gate in front of it. Each door needs something different, and the lock set you choose decides how many keys you carry and what your insurer will accept. This page explains the main door lock types, how the lock mechanism works, what suits each door and what a lock set costs. Send one free, no-obligation request and suppliers and locksmiths near you quote you directly.
The main types of door locks
Most door locks have a latch, the sloped tongue the handle pulls back, and a bolt, the square tongue a key throws into the frame. Behind them sits a lever or pin tumbler mechanism.
- Lever lock sets: a mortice lock in the door with a handle each side, sold as 2, 3 and 5 lever.
- Cylinder locks: a pin tumbler cylinder, usually 5 or 6 pin, in a lock case or a rim lock.
- Deadbolts: a bolt with no latch, fitted above the handle as a second lock.
- Sliding and aluminium door locks: slim hook bolt locks for narrow frames.
- Smart and keypad locks: open with an app or a code.
Choosing a door lock set for each door
Start with the door, not the lock. A solid timber front door takes a 5 lever mortice lock or a good cylinder lock, and many owners add a deadbolt as a second lock. Inside doors only need a 2 lever set, or a privacy set with a thumb turn for bathrooms. Measure the old lock's backset (door edge to the centre of the keyhole) and handle to keyhole distance, so a new door lock set covers the same holes. Pick a finish to match the house. Near the sea, brass or stainless steel lasts far longer than plated steel.
Fitting, keys and common mistakes
A like-for-like swap is a job for a careful DIYer. Cutting in a new mortice lock is not: a badly cut pocket weakens the door. A locksmith registered with PSIRA does it neatly and can key several locks alike. Common mistakes:
- Buying a lock with the wrong backset, so the handle misses the old holes.
- Keeping a 2 lever lock on an outside door.
- Not changing the keys after moving in, when rekeying is quick.
- A key-only lock inside an escape door with no key kept nearby.
What door locks cost and what to ask
Hardware stores list plain 2 and 3 lever lock sets from about R100 to R450 each. Five lever locks, anti-snap cylinders and designer handles cost more. The total depends on the number of doors, the grade, the finish and whether doors must be cut. Ask whether the price includes fitting and call-out, how many keys come with each lock and whether locks can be keyed alike.
What to include in your request
- Count the outside and inside doors
- Say what locks are on the doors now
- Measure the backset of the old lock
- Say if you want one key for outside doors
- Ask for supply and fitting priced separately
Door Locks for different clients
- Homeowners: lever lock sets on the front and back doors, a deadbolt and simple inside locks
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: matching unit door locks that suit the body corporate rules and the estate's key system
- Offices, shops and practices: office and storeroom door locks keyed so staff carry only the keys they need
- Landlords and letting agents: sturdy outside door locks that can be rekeyed cheaply each time a tenant leaves
- Factories, warehouses and workshops: heavy lock sets on workshop, store and office doors that take daily knocks
- Farms and smallholdings: solid locks on the farmhouse, stores and outbuildings, often keyed alike to save keys
- Schools, clinics, churches and hostels: lock sets on classrooms, wards and offices that fit into a master key plan
- Builders, shopfitters and contractors: builders and property managers ordering matched lock sets for a batch of doors
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of door locks for a house?
How much does a door lock set cost?
Can I change a door lock myself?
Who will quote me for new door locks?
Door Locks by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg