Non-destructive entry

Non-destructive entry is the kind of opening that leaves the door, the lock and the cylinder exactly as they were: the door is opened and you carry on using it with the same key. It is the first thing a professional locksmith tries, because nothing has to be replaced afterwards and you are not left with a half-repaired door.

Whether it is possible depends mainly on how the door was shut. A door that has slammed shut, held only by the latch, can almost always be opened without damage. If it has also been locked with the key, with a security cylinder and several locking points, things are different and another approach may be needed.

Before we start, we tell you which approach looks most likely and, if once we are working on the door it turns out there is no way to open it without breaking something, we let you know before going any further. There is more detail on our door opening page.