New locks for Fort Lauderdale and Broward doors

Fitting new locks in hurricane country

Broward is hard on locks. Near the ocean and along the Intracoastal, salt air works into cylinders and springs. Afternoon storms and humidity add to it. And because the county sits in the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, many entry doors are impact-rated units whose hardware can't just be swapped for whatever the hardware store has in stock.

Replacing hardware on an approved impact door

Impact doors in Broward usually carry a product approval, commonly a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, and that approval generally covers the door, frame and hardware as a tested assembly. Before replacing a lockset, deadbolt or multipoint lock, look for the approval label on the door edge or frame, or find the paperwork, and pick hardware the approval allows. When in doubt, ask the door's manufacturer. A locksmith can match the existing hardware or rekey it if the lock still works.

Salt air and corroded cylinders

A lock that turns gritty, a key that sticks halfway, green or white crust on a handle — near the beach, these are signs of corrosion. Sometimes cleaning and lubrication are enough. Often the better fix is replacement with hardware that has a finish and internals made for coastal exposure. Ask the locksmith what they recommend for a door that faces the ocean.

Sliders on balconies and patios

Glass sliders are everywhere in Broward, from high-rise balconies to pool patios in Plantation and Davie. Their factory latches wear out, and a bent track can stop them from catching at all. A locksmith can replace the latch or add a secondary lock. On an impact slider, the same caution about approved hardware applies.

Dock boxes, cabin doors and trailer hitches

Canal-front homes and marinas mean a second set of locks most inland homeowners never think about. Marine-grade padlocks for dock boxes, keyed-alike sets so one key covers the box, the gear locker and the trailer hitch, and replacement cabin or hatch locks are all worth asking about. Stainless and brass hardware generally holds up better around salt water than plain steel.

Need something else in Broward County?

See everything on the Broward County locksmith page, or browse Florida locksmiths.

Want the background first? Read our guide: Lock Installation & Replacement.