The buildings and the hardware
The built environment affects the hardware choices you see. In areas with older wood doors and traditional frames, mortise locks and rim cylinders still show up; you’ll also find legacy knob locks and multi-point bolts. Apartment buildings and small multi-unit houses tend to use master-keyed cylinder systems and mailroom-style locks, which changes how we approach rekeying and replacements. Storefronts favor heavier commercial hardware, push bars and rim exit devices, which need different parts and mounting than a residential deadbolt. Understanding the door and frame is half the job: mismatched hardware and thin frames require reinforcing or different fasteners.