While there is seemingly scope for every door lock in the world to require a unique key, reality is that a limited number of different key and door lock combinations exist. This is simply because key and door lock manufacturers don't need to go through the hassle of making each door lock unique.
There are so many different types of door locks because there are different levels of security and different types of doors for which you need to lock. Whether you're locking a front door, pocket door or cabinet door, you want the best locking system for the job.
Door levers are left-handed, right-handed or universal. To determine what you need, look at the door from outside the house or room. If the hinges are on the left, look for a left-handed or universal lever. If the hinges are on the right, you need a right-handed or universal model.
No. The same company usually offers locks that are keyed-alike (ka), for the homeowners who want their front and back doors to use the same key, and to have a total of four identical keys to open either lock.
Keyed alike means one key fits all locks, for example your front and back door locks can both use the same key or every lock in an office can use the same key. Having your locks keyed alike is very beneficial if you want to open & close all your door locks with one key.
In a Master Keyed system, a master key opens all the locks in the system although each lock also has its own unique key.
Yes, it is a "unique" key. You don't "cut" a new key, you program the lockset to accept a different key. If you have other "Kwikset" keys laying around, you can use those.
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. When the master wafers line up, the key and lock can turn freely.
Please note, products are not keyed alike across functions. Schlage Rekeying Kits provide everything you need to get the job done—including all the tools and parts you need for repinning the cylinders of most Schlage locksets so that they work with a single key. Navigating your way through the Kit tray.
In short, a master key system allows one keys to open multiple different locks. At the same time, more than one key can open the same lock. In an office building, for example, each employee can have their own key which unlocks the door to their office.
Standard Door Prep for Door Knobs & Levers:
The standard sized bore hole is 2 1/8" in diameter. Through the edge of the door there is a 1" cross bore that extends from the edge of the door through the bore hole. (This cross bore is where the latch is installed).
Door knobs are not universal, but there aren't exponentially increasing options for what you need. You need to consider three things: the backset, the hole diameter (called a cross-bore) where the doorknob goes, and whether it's for interior or exterior use.
To have the door function properly, you will have to make sure that the door knob you buy is the correct size for your door. The standard size for a door knob diameter is either 2 3/8 inches or 2 3/4 inches and these knobs will usually fit doors that are anywhere between 1 3/8 inches to 1 3/4 inches thick.
There are plenty of other door locks, and many fall within the seven categories of knob locks, deadbolt locks, cam locks, padlocks, mortise locks, smart locks and keypad locks. For example, lever handle door locks are used for inner doors and work much like knob locks.
Also in the non-forced entry category, there is no doubt Schlage is better. With a better, more precise manufacturing process and 2 additional security pins than the Kwikset deadbolt, Schlage locks are significantly harder to pick, bump or compromise in non-destructive ways.
This is because Schlage and Kwikset locks are not compatible with the same type of key. Their keyways are made differently, therefore you will either want to have all Schlage locks or all Kwikset locks. When you're at home, you don't want to use different keys for each lock you own.
Changing all your locks to be keyed alike is only possible if the locks are all compatible. “If you want your doors keyed alike, you can test this at home simply by picking a key from one of your doors and inserting it into the different locks. If the key goes in the lock, then that lock can be keyed alike.”
Bump keys are specially cut keys that can bypass the security mechanisms built into traditional pin and tumbler locks. Bump keys are also referred to as “999 keys” because all of their ridges are cut to the maximum depth (999) in a key-making machine.
They're called keyed-alike locks and are sold in many big name hardware stores. It's something homeowners need to know. "You might need three locks, but there may be 10 on the shelf, they are all the same key," said Ron Boddie with B&B Locksmiths.
The most common cause for broken keys inside of locks is due to normal wear and tear on the key itself. Over time, the teeth on key get worn down, making it hard for the teeth to catch inside the lock. Lastly, it could be the lock and tumbler itself that is wearing down over time.
SmartKey is an advanced security breakthrough which allows you to rekey the lock in seconds. To rekey your lock with an entirely new key, simply insert the functioning key, turn a quarter turn clockwise, insert the learning tool, remove the existing key, and insert a new key. That's it!
A Kwikset SmartKey tool (One should've came with your lock, but if not, you can buy one on Amazon). The new (or rather, old) key that you want to use instead. This must be a Kwikset key, as Kwikset and Schlage keys are totally different from one another (and won't work in each other's locks).
Other brands like Kwikset also offer 7,000 key codes. Schlage has around 30,000 key codes (6 pin configuration).