Window Lock Buyer's Guide for NSW Homes

Sash, restrictor and keyed window locks — which one suits your timber, aluminium or sliding windows.

This is a working Sydney locksmith's perspective. We see hundreds of jobs a month across every Sydney suburb — from broken Lockwood deadlocks in heritage terraces to smart-lock failures on brand-new Hills District homes. Here's what we've learned.

The short answer

If you take only one thing away: never force the door. A 30-second pick costs you a callout. A smashed door costs you a callout, a new door, repainting, and a difficult conversation with your insurer.

What the standards say

Lockwood and Whitco both publish to AS 4145. That's the Australian Standard for locksets and door hardware — and it's what your home insurance assumes you have on every external door. If you're unsure what's on your doors right now, send us a photo.

When to call a locksmith

• The key turns but the bolt won't throw fully
• The cylinder is loose or sun-perished
• You've moved in and don't know who else has a key
• A window restrictor is missing on a unit above ground floor
• You've lost your only car key

Any of those, give us a bell on 02 8203 0928 — we'll talk through it before booking a van.