IC Core Rekeying & Installation
Expert IC Core Rekeying & Installation in Jackson, MO
At Seabaughs Locksmith LLC, we help Jackson businesses, schools, and property managers maintain secure and efficient key control with professional IC core rekeying and installation. Interchangeable core (IC core) lock systems allow you to swap out the lock’s core in minutes using a control key. This makes them ideal for facilities with frequent personnel changes or multiple access levels.
Since 2014, we’ve installed, rekeyed, and replaced small-format (SFIC) and large-format (LFIC) cores for commercial properties across Southeast Missouri, ensuring security stays strong whenever access requirements change.
How IC Core Rekeying Works
Schlage Primus IC core locks (top) are an excellent choice for commercial properties. Depending on your needs, our techs can rekey multiple IC cores to work with the same or different keys (bottom).
Rekeying an IC core means removing the existing core from the lock with a control key and replacing it with one set to a different key. This immediately makes all previous keys in circulation unusable, restoring security without replacing the lock housing.
Many Jackson businesses use this service when:
- An employee leaves without returning keys
- Keys are lost or stolen
- Certain areas require updated access without rekeying the entire building
In each of these cases, rekeying provides an immediate and cost-effective way to regain control over access. We complete most IC core rekeying during business hours in a single visit, ensuring your property is secure while keeping operational interruptions to a minimum.
Small Format vs. Large Format Cores
We work with both SFIC and LFIC designs:
- SFIC (Small Format Interchangeable Core): Compact, figure-eight-shaped core common in commercial and government facilities, compatible with many brands.
- LFIC (Large Format Interchangeable Core): A larger core body, often brand-specific, used in heavy-duty or specialized hardware.
Identifying your core type is important for selecting the right parts and ensuring a perfect fit. If you’re unsure which type your building uses, our locksmiths can inspect your locks, determine the format, and supply the correct keys and blanks for your system.
Installing an IC Core System
Installing an IC core system provides long-term convenience and security. Once in place, future lock rekeying only requires swapping out the core with the control key, so replacing the entire lockset is unnecessary.
We install IC cores in commercial entry doors, office doors, storage rooms, and restricted areas. Each installation is matched to your building’s needs, hardware type, and existing access control or master key system to ensure seamless operation.
Benefits for High-Traffic Businesses
For properties with multiple employees, tenants, or contractors, IC cores allow instant rekeying when access needs change. This makes them a practical solution for:
- Schools and universities
- Medical facilities
- Apartment complexes
- Warehouses and retail locations
Personnel changes are common in these environments, and rekeying can be required several times a year. IC core systems make that process quick and efficient, helping you maintain security without replacing entire lock assemblies.
Integration with Master Key Systems
IC cores work seamlessly with master key systems, allowing specific keys for individual areas while a master key opens all locks. This approach makes it easier to manage access levels across large facilities. We design and maintain master key systems for Jackson businesses, keeping accurate records of key distribution and ensuring consistent function across every door.
Maintenance for Long-Term Reliability
Dust, worn springs, and misalignment can cause IC cores to stick or become difficult to turn. Regular maintenance keeps them working properly and extends their lifespan.
Our service includes inspecting for wear, lubricating moving parts, and ensuring each core is seated correctly in the lock housing. These preventative steps help avoid sudden lock failures and maintain smooth operation for years.
Get Reliable IC Core Rekeying and Installation in Southeast Missouri
We provide IC core rekeying and installation for businesses in Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Perryville, Scott City, Dexter, and surrounding Southeast Missouri communities. Our mobile locksmiths carry both small-format (SFIC) and large-format (LFIC) cores, completing most services in a single visit.
Whether you need one lock rekeyed after a personnel change or an entire property equipped with an interchangeable core system, our team delivers secure, efficient service that works around your schedule. Contact us today to arrange your IC core rekeying or installation and keep your building’s access control current.
IC Core Rekeying & Installation FAQs
What does IC core stand for?
IC core stands for “interchangeable core.” It refers to the removable key-holding cylinder in a lock that can be replaced with a new one without removing the entire lock housing.
How much does IC core rekeying cost?
The price depends on the number of cores, the format (small format or large format), and the restricted keyway. We provide a clear quote before starting any IC core rekeying so you know the cost in advance.
Is rekeying an interchangeable core difficult?
No. With the correct control key and the skill of a locksmith, an IC core can be extracted and replaced in seconds. This makes an interchangeable core system much faster to update than traditional lock cylinders, especially after a personnel change.
How do I tell the difference between small format and large format IC cores?
Small-format interchangeable cores (SFIC) have a compact, uniform shape that fits many brands of compatible housings. Large-format interchangeable cores (LFIC) are bigger and often vary in shape by manufacturer. Our locksmiths can identify your core type during inspection.
Are IC cores interchangeable between brands?
SFIC cores are often interchangeable across brands that use the same standardized housing. Large format cores are usually brand-specific, so the correct manufacturer’s core must be installed.
What is the difference between LFIC and FSIC?
Both are large-format interchangeable cores, but FSIC refers to a specific full-size large-format design used by certain lock manufacturers. The format determines the cylinder shape and which housings it will fit.
Can you install IC cores in my existing locks?
Yes, if the lock housings are compatible with an interchangeable core system. If they are not, we can install new housings designed to accept SFIC or LFIC cores.
Can IC cores be part of a master key system?
Yes. IC cores work well with master key systems, allowing multiple access levels for different users while maintaining control with a single master key for security oversight.