We recently received a call from a homeowner in the Central Gardens area of Midtown, Memphis, TN 38104. The client was in the process of transforming their residence into a hybrid home office space. They had purchased three new commercial-grade doors, but these doors came with residential hardware pre-installed—a common occurrence to make the initial purchase more affordable. Knowing they needed higher-grade locks to handle increased use and to boost security, they contacted us to replace the residential door knobs with commercial-grade hardware.

When the client first called, they asked, “Do locksmiths change door knobs?” We responded, “Yes, locksmiths can change door knobs. Whether your knob is broken, or you’re upgrading the brand, style, or keyway, we can absolutely help.” They also asked, “Do new door knobs increase home value?” to which we explained, “To give you an example, Your front door is one of the first things prospective buyers see. If you upgrade to commercial-grade hardware, especially in a hybrid residential-commercial property, it adds value and security.”

The client also inquired about installing a Master Key system, which is a popular option for both residential and commercial spaces where multiple locks and access points need to be managed. Their home office was going to see various colleagues coming in and out, and they wanted the convenience of having a single key (the master key) that could unlock every door while still keeping individual keys for each separate office space. This system offers the flexibility to give different access levels to different people—something essential for their growing business.

With a Master Key system, the client could have a master key that would grant them access to all three office spaces, while each colleague or employee would have a key that only opens their designated office. This system minimizes the number of keys a business owner needs to carry, increases security by controlling access, and allows for easy rekeying in case of employee turnover. This was especially useful in their case, as the building would still be used as a residence, so they needed a clear distinction between who could access specific areas like the bedrooms or storage spaces.

Understanding their needs for security, convenience, and functionality, we recommended upgrading to Schlage locks, and the brand was LSDA, Grade 2, which are higher in quality and provide better security compared to the Kwikset locks they originally had. Schlage locks offer a tougher keyway, making them harder to pick and more difficult to replicate at a local hardware store—an important factor when dealing with multiple people entering a business space.

Once the decision was made, we scheduled their service for the same day. Upon arrival, we quickly removed the old residential locks and installed commercial-grade silver door knobs with privacy function locks. This ensured that each room could be locked individually, but the master key would still provide access to all rooms. Privacy function locks allow the inside lever to always be operable for emergency exit, while the outside can be unlocked with a key—perfect for a hybrid residential-commercial setup.

The client was incredibly satisfied with the transformation and the peace of mind that came with knowing their home office was secure, functional, and ready for business.

Additionally, if you’re in Midtown Memphis, including zip codes 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38112, or 38114, and need door knob installations, rekeying, or are considering a Master Key system, we’re here to help. Contact us today for expert locksmith services. We are your #1 Emergency Locksmith in the Memphis and surrounding areas!

📸 Check out the images and video below to see the transformation and installation.

Some of the tools we used included:

• Phillips screwdriver for lock installations and adjustments.
• Rekeying pinning kit to rekey the locks for separate and master keying.
• Master key pinning kit for creating a functional master key system.
• Cylinder removal tools to swap out the old locks efficiently.
• 3 Schlage Door Knobs for durable, commercial-grade security.
• 3 key-in-knob cylinders to match the new Schlage hardware with the master key system.