How do I get all my locks to have the same key?

Author: Kyle Torp  |  Last update: Thursday, November 2, 2023

Pick the key you like the best (or have the most of) and have all the other knobs keyed to it. Remove the locks that need to be rekeyed and take them to a locksmith or a hardware store. Bring a key that works each of the locks and the key you want all the locks keyed to and give us five minutes a lock.

How do I get all my door locks to be keyed the same?

Re-keying kits are available for most lock brands but they're not interchangeable. You must buy a kit for each brand of lock in your home. (If you're lucky, they'll all be the same brand!) Each kit will re-key six locks, but you can order extra pins if you need to do more.

Can a locksmith make one key for all locks?

Locks May Not be Compatible – Not every lock can be rekeyed to share a key with another lock. So, if you are adamant about only using a single key, your locksmith will need to replace the locks so they are the same brand.

Can multiple locks be changed for one key?

on your house and you want them all to work on the same key, you will need to change some locks so that all your locks will be of the same brand (or have the same type of keyway), only then you can re-key them all to one key.

Is it better to rekey or change locks?

It is usually cheaper to rekey the existing door hardware than to completely replace it. A lock rekey is great if you already like your current door knob and want a cost effective safety solution. Rekeying your hardware is a simple way to keep your home and work place safe and secure.

Kwikset SMARTKEY Feature Door Lock (How to use the same key to unlock all your doors!)

Can Ace hardware rekey locks?

We rekey Kwikset and Schlage locks at a fraction of the price of having to replace your locksets. We can also create a 'master key' for superintendents or landlords that need access to multiple units without carrying a hundred keys. We also key Masterlock padlocks to an existing Masterlock key.

What are the easiest locks to rekey?

Although there are many different types of locks, today we're going to talk about rekeying a pin and tumbler lock. This is the most common and one of the easiest types of locks to rekey aside from old-school locks.

How long does it take to rekey a lock?

Rekeying a lock generally takes about 15 minutes, but this depends on the type of lock as well as the skills of the person working on it. The most time-consuming part of the process is removing the lock from the door – the actual rekeying is much simpler. If it's simple, should you rekey your lock yourself?

Should all locks be keyed the same?

Reasons Not to Have Locks Keyed Alike

Another reason why you might not want to have all of your locks keyed alike is that someone could lose a key. If that happened, you would need to have all of your locks rekeyed to prevent someone who found the key from entering your house.

Do all the same locks have the same key?

It varies by lock design, but there are a finite number of truly different keys for every mechanical lock. This can vary from only one “key” for something as simple as a pair of handcuffs, to millions of different possible valid keys for disk style locks.

How does one key open multiple locks?

Any key that can open two or more locks is considered a master key. Many master keys use pin and tumbler locks. For a master key to work, though, there must be something called master wafers inside the lock.

How many locks are made for the same key?

There is a specific pattern for each lock and key made in the world. A specific key can only open a specific lock which has the same pattern in which the key can fit. This thread here suggests that there are millions of locks with the same key. Yes, there are millions of locks with the same key.

How do keys work on multiple locks?

Master key system is a system that allows two or more keys to open one lock. Master keys will be able to open multiple locks. The greater the difference between the master key and the change key, the more master wafers will be needed. The more master wafers, the more possible keys can open the lock.

What is a rekey kit?

A lock rekey kit is exactly what you might imagine. It is a kit that can be used to change the locks in an organization, without having to call a locksmith. There are no tools required, no hardware removal, and you do not have to have the expertise of a locksmith to perform a rekey.

Can you rekey a lock without the key?

Yes, it is possible for you to rekey a lock without the original key. A locksmith can change your locks even if you have lost or misplaced the original key. In general, it is possible to pick or shim the lock and unlock the door. Then, the locksmith will have a much easier time removing the lock cylinder.

Can Kwikset locks be keyed alike?

Re-keying a new lock to match an existing Kwikset key is simple and easy. And all Kwikset pin & tumbler locks can be re-keyed to achieve convenient one-key operation across multiple locks. All you need is a Kwikset Re-keying Kit, a Kwikset key, and a pin & tumbler lock.

Do all master locks use the same key?

A: No. Without the key number, there is no way for Master Lock to know which key will open your lock. There is not a master key that will open all Master Lock products.

Should the deadbolt and doorknob be the same key?

It's Your Choice. Ultimately, whether you choose to have your deadbolt and door lock open with the same key is your choice. There isn't necessarily a one size fits all answer. If you want to have separate keys for a door that currently uses only one key, it is easy enough for a locksmith to set it up for you.

Are keyed alike locks safe?

You won't have to hold multiple keys in order to access all of the different locks that you install on your property. Instead, one key will do the trick and that key is known as your Master Key. Negatives: While convenient, keyed alike locks are less secure than their keyed different counterparts.

Can you change locks yourself?

Many may even consider it an extra hassle on top of the moving process. As it turns out, changing locks is an easy DIY project that can take less than a day to complete.

What are the benefits of rekeying your locks?

7 Benefits of Rekeying Locks
  • Different situations. There are a variety of reasons why you would want to update the locks on your home or company. ...
  • Fixes a security breach. ...
  • No need for new hardware. ...
  • Cost-effective. ...
  • Customized. ...
  • Master key. ...
  • You can change locks differently. ...
  • Wrapping up.

What lock keys Cannot be duplicated?

WHAT KEYS CANNOT BE COPIED?
  • Transponder Keys. Transponder keys were first introduced in 1995 and are becoming more and more common. ...
  • VATS Keys. ...
  • Abloy keys. ...
  • Tubular Keys. ...
  • Internal Cut Keys. ...
  • Four-Sided Keys. ...
  • Access cards. ...
  • Keypad/Pin code.

Can you rekey without changing lock?

Rekeying Your Locks

Some locksmiths may tell you that you should change your locks. But in many cases, you can just rekey them, which means changing the existing lock system so a new key operates it. A locksmith simply replaces the tumblers and pins to create a lock that can be opened by a brand-new key.

How much does it cost to rekey a deadbolt lock?

In general, prices average between $20 and $50 for a single lock and can cost up to $130 for a house. However, if you call a locksmith out on an emergency you can expect it to cost an extra $100 to $150. If you need to rekey your vehicle the price ranges from $75 to $180 for most locksmith companies.

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