Lock Replacement in Chicago, IL

Replacing worn hardware in an older city

Census estimates put 39.0 percent of Chicago homes in buildings from 1939 or earlier, against 20.0 percent for Illinois and 11.5 percent nationally. That makes original hardware a real possibility on any older door. Before replacing a lock in an older building, see whether repair or rekeying would do the job. Replacement makes sense when a cylinder is worn through, a latch no longer holds, or the hardware does not meet the standard you need.

Bungalow doors in Rogers Park Manor, Brainerd and South Shore

These neighborhoods are among the city's National Register bungalow districts. A Chicago bungalow is brick, a story and a half over a full basement, built from about 1910 to the mid-1930s, with porch steps up from the street and sometimes a side entrance. When you ask about a replacement, say whether the porch door and the side door should both change, whether they should share a key, and whether the door itself is original.

Unit-door hardware in Chicago's code

The city's Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings cover buildings that hold dwelling or sleeping units, and a unit occupied by its owner is exempt (14X-4-403.1). Under 14X-4-403.3.1.1 through 403.3.1.4, a unit door other than a sliding glass door needs:

• a deadbolt with at least a 1-inch saw-resistant bolt, or an equivalent rim or vertical drop deadbolt, that opens from inside without a key;
• a guard on any projecting cylinder;
• non-removable or jam pins on hinges reachable from outside;
• a viewing device such as a 160-degree peephole.

Whether an existing door has all four is worth checking before you choose new hardware. This is general information, not legal advice.

Describing the door

Name the door: porch, side, unit or shared street door. Say whether the building is a house, a small flat building or a larger one, whether the lock is original, and whether you own or rent. In a rental, check the lease before changing any lock. A photo of the door edge and the current lock helps. The lock replacement page explains the service; local housing notes are on the Chicago page.