The buildings and the hardware
The local building stock affects the hardware we use and the problems we see. Older houses bring wood doors and mortise locks or vintage entry sets that may need parts, adjustment, or conversion to a modern deadbolt. Many split-levels and post-war homes have metal storm doors and narrow door stiles that demand compact bolts and reinforced strike plates. Small apartment buildings tend to use cylinder-based locks and occasionally master-key systems, which changes how we rekey and order matching cores. Storefronts usually have commercial cylindrical or rim locks and sometimes panic hardware, which requires different tools and supply choices.