Destructive entry

Destructive entry is the kind of opening that breaks a part, nearly always the lock cylinder and sometimes the lock itself, to get the door open. It is used when there is no other reasonable way: jammed or forced locks, cylinders broken inside, high security doors locked with the key, or a piece of key that simply cannot be removed.

Done properly, only what is necessary gets broken. What is sacrificed is the cylinder, which is replaced on the spot, while the door leaf and the frame stay intact. What you want to avoid is the opposite: levering, hammering and cutting that end up wrecking the frame or the door skin.

Before breaking anything we tell you and give you a fixed quote that includes the new part, so you are not left with a door that will not lock. If a cylinder has to be fitted afterwards, see cylinder replacement.