Keying options within locks
When you purchase locks they come with 2 keys as standard. Unless stated otherwise, generally when you purchase a lock it will come in the standard ‘keyed to differ’ form. When you have several locks on your property it can be a pain having to sort through your keys to find the right one for the right lock.
There is the option to have your locks on one key providing they are the same make and type, this is called ‘Keying Alike’ or a ‘Keyed Alike’ lock.
Why is this useful?
This can be useful for a number of reasons;
1) You can have 1 key to open every lock that you have.
2) You can also have multiple locks in the same door and not have to worry about finding the right key for the right lock.
3) It will save you money on spare keys!
The only bad thing about this is if you lose one key you will have to change all your locks, and this can be costly depending on the type of locks you have fitted. Basically this means that one key can open any of the locks. This is the opposite of ‘keyed to differ’ locks, which would all open with separate keys.
Keyed Alike to Key Supplied
Padlocks are mostly keyed alike to certain key numbers. This also means that you can add additional padlocks to your suite at any point in the future as long as you order the same key number as previously ordered. (Not available on cheaper padlocks)
What is ‘Master Keying’?
Master key systems offer control over the movement of people within a building or buildings to provide security and accessibility to the customer for their key holders, tenants or occupiers. Designs can be either on an open section key or on a restricted security key, registered to stop unauthorized duplication of keys.
Master key systems can be fitted to domestic premises, multi tenanted buildings and flats, schools, colleges, universities, health authorities, council and local authorities, retail and offices or any business with multiple sites.
We can create any size of master key suite to suit your budget and your security requirements. We can supply padlocks and euro cylinders master keyed so you can have all your locks on a master key suite if you wish. We will always allow for future locks to be added to your suite or existing locks to be re-keyed providing they are not to worn out.
Some Master key systems are patented for several years before the patent and the key restriction runs out thus allowing the system to be legally copied. The longer the patent on a key or lock design the better, as you maintain control over your keys and security
