A cord guide system for extending the life of cords in a covering for an architectural opening provides long wear surfaces made of metal or ceramic which can be retrofitted into existing cord lock systems or molded into the system. The invention provides such long wear surfaces that can be used with different cord drive systems each of which permit an operator of a covering to manipulate the covering between extended and retracted positions while locking the covering in any position between fully extended and fully retracted. Cord guide surfaces are preferably made of metal or ceramic which are harder than conventional base materials used in cord lock systems and further have higher melting temperatures than either the base material for the cord lock system or the polyester cords conventionally used in coverings for architectural openings. In this manner, wear of the cord lock itself is minimized which in turn minimizes the wear of the lift cords and extends the life thereof.