Strathfield sits beyond Homebush, to the east of Lidcombe, a short drive from our workshop at 15 Vaughan St. It is best known for its large heritage homes on wide, tree-lined streets, but that is only part of the picture. Strathfield also has many older walk-up unit blocks, newer apartment buildings close to the station, and a busy shopping and dining area around The Boulevarde and Churchill Avenue.
The lock work here ranges from careful servicing of original hardware on period homes to rekeying rental flats and fitting deadbolts on unit doors that have only ever had a latch. This guide looks at each type of property, the issues we commonly find, and practical ways to keep them secure. For our service page, see locksmith Strathfield.
Large heritage homes
Strathfield's large Federation and interwar homes are a defining feature of the suburb. Many have solid timber front doors with leadlight panels, original mortice locks, and a surprising number of external doors.
Many doors, many keys
A large home might have a front door, side entries, a back door, French doors to a verandah, a door to a garage or outbuilding, and gates. Over the decades each may have been given a different lock. Owners often carry a heavy key ring and are not sure which key fits which door.
Keying the external doors alike, where the locks are compatible, is one of the most useful jobs in a large home. Where they are not compatible, replacing some cylinders can bring them onto one key. See lock rekeying.
Original mortice locks
Many front doors still have original mortice locks. Some work beautifully after cleaning and adjustment. Others are worn, or are simple lever locks that offer limited resistance. We inspect them and tell you honestly whether to keep, service or replace. Our heritage door locks article explains the options, including fitting a modern mechanism in the existing pocket or adding a discreet deadbolt in a matching finish.
French doors and verandah doors
Pairs of French doors are common on older homes. They are attractive but can be a weak point if the inactive leaf is only held by small bolts that can be reached or forced. Stronger top and bottom bolts, and a good lock on the active leaf, improve them a great deal.
Heritage listing
Some homes are heritage listed or in conservation areas. Check with council before changing visible hardware on the street frontage.
Older walk-up unit blocks
Strathfield has many walk-up unit blocks, typically two or three storeys, built in the decades after the war.
Unit doors with only a latch
A common finding in these blocks is a unit entry door with only a spring latch or key-in-lever set, and no deadbolt. These can be slipped or forced more easily than a deadbolt. If the building allows it and the door is suitable, adding a deadbolt is a strong upgrade. See door lock installation.
Rentals
Many walk-up units are rented. Rekeying between tenancies is good practice for landlords and agents. Check the NSW rules first; see our NSW landlord and tenant lock rules guide.
Strata responsibilities
Building entries and common areas are the owners corporation's responsibility, and unit doors may be common property depending on the plan. Our guide to strata lock rules in NSW explains how to find out.
Newer apartment buildings
Closer to the station, newer apartment buildings bring modern entrance sets, fire-rated entry doors and balcony sliders. Common jobs are rekeying, lockouts and securing reachable balconies. See apartment security and our lockout service.
Shops around The Boulevarde
The shopping and dining strip around The Boulevarde and the station includes restaurants, cafés, grocers and services, many open into the evening. Their locks see heavy use. Typical work includes:
- narrow-stile shopfront locks that have started to stick;
- door closers that slam or stop short;
- roller door keyswitches and padlocks;
- rekeying after staff changes.
Because we are open until midnight, work can often be done after close. See commercial locksmith and our commercial locksmith guide.
Local conditions that affect locks in Strathfield
Mature trees and damp
Strathfield's large trees are part of its charm, but shaded, damp entries mean timber doors swell more and metal hardware can corrode faster. A lock that binds only in wet weather usually points to the door rather than the lock. See lock repair.
Age and wear
Original hardware on older homes has often been in use for many decades. Internal wear is common even when a lock still turns. Worn locks break keys; our broken key guide explains why.
Large properties
Bigger homes have more entry points, and some are set well back from the street, out of view. A thorough check of every door, gate and window is worthwhile. Our security locksmith walk-through gives you a priced list.
Typical jobs we see in Strathfield
- A heritage home where an original mortice lock is serviced and the strike reset.
- A large home where six external doors are brought onto one key.
- French doors fitted with stronger bolts on the inactive leaf.
- A walk-up unit where a deadbolt is added to a door that only had a latch.
- A rental flat rekeyed between tenancies.
- A restaurant on The Boulevarde where the shopfront latch is replaced after closing time.
Tips for Strathfield homeowners
- Make a key map. Label which key fits which door, then consider keying them alike.
- Get spares made for old locks while the original key is in good condition.
- Check French door bolts.
- Keep timber doors sealed to limit swelling.
- Rekey after buying. Large old homes can have many keys in circulation.
Tips for Strathfield unit owners and tenants
- Check whether your door has a deadbolt. If not, ask about adding one.
- Know whether your door is a fire door before changing hardware.
- Rekey when you move in, with the right approvals.
Talk to us
If you are in Strathfield and need a lock repaired, replaced, rekeyed or opened, call 02 4503 6922. We are open 7 days, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and every job is quoted before we start. You can also request a quote or read our locksmith Strathfield page.
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- suburb guide
- heritage homes
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