I totally get the pull of those old brass locks—they’ve got character you just can’t fake. But after seeing way too many folks get locked out during renos, I’m with you on modern mortise for day-to-day use. If you really want that vintage vibe, there are some solid repro options that look the part but work like new. Honestly, unless you’re super handy or love tinkering, the peace of mind is worth it.
I hear you on the peace of mind—modern mortise locks are just less hassle, especially mid-reno when doors are coming off and on. I’ve tried retrofitting old brass hardware before, and honestly, unless you’re really into fiddling with tiny springs and mismatched parts, it’s a headache. The repro stuff is a nice compromise if you want that look but don’t want to be stuck outside with a crowbar.
Locked Out Drama—What Would You Do?
I’ve been there—middle of a reno, juggling contractors, and suddenly the door hardware doesn’t line up anymore. One time, I tried to salvage a gorgeous old mortise lock on a brownstone flip, thinking I’d save some cash and keep the charm. Two hours later, I was on YouTube, covered in grease, and still couldn’t get the lock to latch right. Ended up calling a locksmith anyway.
Honestly, I get the appeal of original hardware, but after a few too many “locked out with groceries” moments, I started defaulting to modern locks with vintage plates for the look. Less drama, and it keeps the tenants happy. Repro stuff isn’t perfect, but at least you’re not hunting for century-old screws on eBay.
If you’re mid-reno and the doors are coming off, I’d say bite the bullet and go modern for now. You can always swap in fancy hardware later if you really miss the old-school vibe. Peace of mind’s worth more than a pretty keyhole, at least during demo days.
Peace of mind’s worth more than a pretty keyhole, at least during demo days.
Couldn’t agree more with this—been there, done that, got the bruised knuckles to prove it. I used to be all about keeping every bit of original hardware, but after wrestling with a 1920s latch that refused to cooperate (and locking myself out in my socks), I’ve started doing a quick “reno lock swap” routine:
1. Yank the old lock and label it for later (trust me, you’ll forget which door it came from).
2. Pop in a basic, sturdy deadbolt—doesn’t have to be pretty, just reliable.
3. Keep a spare key somewhere sneaky (fake rock, neighbor, whatever).
4. Once the dust settles and you’re not tripping over toolboxes, circle back and decide if you really want to wrestle with the vintage stuff again.
Honestly, nothing kills renovation momentum like getting locked out mid-demo. I love a fancy antique knob as much as anyone, but I’ll take not standing in the rain with takeout over “authenticity” any day.
Honestly, I’ve swapped out so many locks mid-flip I’ve lost count. I get the appeal of keeping the old stuff, but after one too many “locked out with a coffee in hand” moments, I’m all about function first. Ever tried those combo lockboxes for keys? They’ve saved me more than once when contractors forget to put the key back. Curious—do you ever just leave one door hardware-free during demo, or is that asking for trouble?
