Controlled destructive entry

Controlled destructive entry is a way of opening a door in which the locksmith sacrifices only the essential part, almost always the cylinder, to open the door without damaging the leaf, the frame or the lock. A new cylinder is then fitted there and then.

It is used when opening without breaking anything is not possible or not reasonable: high security cylinders, jammed locks, keys broken inside or mechanisms seized up by salt air.

The word “controlled” is what matters: only what is necessary is broken, cleanly, and the door is left working with its new cylinder. It has nothing to do with brute force.

Before we start, we explain what is going to be broken and give you a fixed quote that includes the replacement cylinder. If the job changes once we see it on site, we let you know before carrying on. More under door opening and security cylinders.