A double cylinder takes a key on both sides of the door, which is why it guards glass-paneled entries, sidelight doors and storefront back doors. We repair, rekey, replace and install them. King Locksmith and Doors Inc. has serviced these locks for 25 years, licensed, insured and bonded. If you’d like a price first, estimates are free.
A double cylinder pairs two keyed plugs back to back, joined by one tailpiece that throws the deadbolt. Each side carries its own bible and pin chambers, and the assembly mounts through a standard 2-1/8 inch cross bore at a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset. The format drives deadbolts, double cylinder jimmy-proof deadlocks and storefront auxiliary bolts.
Most residential units run SC1 or KW1 keyways with five or six pin chambers per side, and better models add spool pins against picking plus hardened inserts against drilling. Our customers meet this format on District of Columbia rowhome doors with glass beside the latch, where a thumb turn invites break-and-reach entry.
Three failures fill our double cylinder tickets. A key that will not seat fully points to a worn key or a deformed bottom pin binding its chamber. A lockout cuts both ways on this format: without the interior key, the door stays shut from inside too. And on exterior doors, corrosion seizes the plug until the key will not turn.
We pull the cylinder, inspect each chamber, and repin from the kits on our trucks. Fresh pinning beats replacement on a sound cylinder; a seized or drilled one does not. Locked out? Our mobile units respond 24/7. Call (240) 345-1455 in Maryland or (202) 800-2622 in Washington DC and NOVA.
We recommend replacement after attack damage, a seized plug, or a discontinued keyway, and we match backset, tailpiece length, keyway and finish so the new lock drops into your existing bore with no fresh drilling. Rekeying pins both sides to one key, builds keyed-alike sets, or folds the lock into a master system. Where fire egress rules restrict a double cylinder, we say so and fit a compliant alternative.
Installation starts with compatibility checks: backset measurement, bore diameter, tailpiece engagement and door prep. Our own certified technicians handle every job: measure, match, install, then test operation and security before we leave. Our in-house door expert corrects frame and alignment issues in the same visit.
We measure your backset, 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch, and verify tailpiece engagement on both cylinders before ordering, so your new double cylinder throws the bolt.
Our locksmiths pin both sides of a double cylinder to one key on site, reading wear in each chamber and matching SC1 or KW1 keyways.
Every truck stocks pinning kits, followers, spool pins and tailpiece assortments for double cylinders, so most repairs and rekeys we quote finish the same visit.
A double cylinder can slow escape during a fire. We flag every egress concern, and where code restricts one, we recommend a compliant alternative instead.
A failing double cylinder can lock you in as easily as out. Call (240) 345-1455 or request cylinder service online. We answer day and night.
Double cylinders are one of many cylinder formats we service daily. Browse the other cylinder types our technicians repair, rekey, replace and install across Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia.
Straight answers from King Locksmith Technicans to on Double Cylinder questions customers ask us most.
(240) 345-1455
A gritty or binding cylinder usually needs cleaning and fresh pinning, which we do on site. A drilled, snapped or corrosion-seized cylinder is safer to replace.
We give free on-site estimates with no hidden fees. Price depends on keyway, finish and security features. Call (240) 345-1455.
Yes. Our mobile units rekey both sides to one key, with same-day availability. Call (202) 800-2622.
Usually, when the keyways match. We check your existing keyway, SC1 or KW1 in most homes, and pin the double cylinder to the same key.
