Window Lock Service in Washington DC

Restoring Security to DC Residential Windows

While front doors receive the most attention, windows are the secondary target for any residential break-in, especially first-floor and basement windows commonly found in DC row houses.

A window lock does two jobs: it keeps intruders out and pulls the sashes tight for weather insulation. A broken latch costs you both. If your window latches are spinning freely or snapped in half, DC Local Locksmith can repair or replace them.

Common Window Lock Failures We Fix

Window hardware is generally made of cheap, die-cast metal. Over years of forcefully twisting the locks to compress misaligned windows, that metal fatigues and breaks.

• Double-Hung Sash Locks: The standard sweeping cam lock that joins the top and bottom window. When the handle snaps off, the window cannot be secured. We drill out the old rivets or screws and install heavy-duty replacement sweep locks.
• Casement Window Locks: Windows that crank outward on a hinge utilize a multi-point locking lever. These internal gears strip easily. We can replace the locking lever mechanism and the hand cranks.
• Horizontal Sliders: Similar to sliding glass doors, horizontal windows use a fragile hook latch. We replace these with thicker, steel-reinforced latch kits.

Why You Can’t ‘Just Buy One at the Hardware Store’

Homeowners frequently try to replace broken window locks by guessing the size at a local big-box hardware store.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of proprietary lock profiles based on the specific window manufacturer (Pella, Andersen, Marvin, Alside, etc.). The screw-hole spacing, the cam reach, and the keeper height must match the original down to the millimeter, or the window will not lock.

Our technicians carry vast catalogs of exact OEM replacement parts and high-quality universal locking hardware. We measure the backset and offset of your broken locks to ensure the replacement fits your exact window extrusion.

Securing Basement Windows

If your row house or standalone home has basement hopper windows or egress wells, the native locks are rarely sufficient to stop a burglar with a crowbar. In addition to repairing the factory locks, we strongly suggest evaluating these ground-level vulnerabilities for secondary hardware upgrades.

Don’t wait until a broken window lock leads to a break-in. Contact DC Local Locksmith today to repair your residential window locks.