Keyed Alike Locks – Are they for me?

People often make the enquiry:- “Is it a good idea to swap all the locks in my home or business to keyed alike locks?” The short answer is both yes and no.

In the UK many of us have French patio style doors that are keyed alike. This means that both doors unlock using the same key.
The question soon forms in people’s minds. Could I also use that same key in my front door, my back door and garage? The simple answer is yes you can, you will possibly need a few new locks and it will take a few days for a locksmith to get sorted, but yes you can. In the majority of cases.

As mentioned above as to whether it is a good idea the short answer is still yes and no.

One key to open all locks

The main advantage of keyed alike locks or having one key for all locks is the convenience it offers clients. You no longer have the need to feel like a gaoler and carry a large bunch of keys around in your pocket or need to hide a key for the shed in the bottom of the grandfather clock for when you need it.

No more labels needed or colour coded fobs for all doors in your home or business. Pockets are lighter and heavy keychains become a distant memory, one key to open all sounds like a great idea.

Keyed alike locks advantages and disadvantages

With UK locks it is not always possible to have all keyed alike locks. We have a long history of lock types trending then going out of fashion. Then they get used less than they used to be only to be replaced with a new system and type of key. Check the bunch of keys you have. They are probably all of different types and lengths, different warding and makeup.

This would make it difficult to achieve a one key fits all solution for you and your property. You might still need to keep that shed key in the bottom of the clock after all.

Of course, there is a solution to this but it is going to be an expensive solution. Get all the doors changed so that they all take a similar type of key. Keyed alike locks can be ordered from the manufacturer when you have them made.

Keyed alike locks disadvantages

There are advantages to having different locks keyed to different keys. Many people have a porch which they would happily give a key to a neighbour because they could leave parcels and mail in there, until the homeowner returns. Maybe the gas and electric meters are in there so you would feel quite happy leaving that key under the doormat so that when the meter reader arrived he could quite easily access the porch and pop the key back once he/ she has done.

This is just one instance where it is convenient. I am sure that many could think of others where you would not want just anybody strolling in, who has a key for your property and its inner sanctums.

If you lose a key or a key is stolen, then the person who may have that key has access to everywhere. Not just the front or back door. It is distressing enough to most people that they lose a key for a single door and have to go through the expense of replacing one lock as an emergency call. If the lost key is for all entrances and exits and garage etc. It becomes a major headache.

A lot of people purchase high security locks that are key coded. They can only be cut after authorisation by the registered owner.

This means you are going to have to wait for up to a month before your home /business is secure again. Local locksmiths can fit and occasionally cut these types of keys, what they cannot do is key them all alike. If they do the British Standard is lost.

It has to be a registered company that can supply these locks after a keyed alike pin change.

There are advantages and disadvantages to keyed alike. The decision ultimately lies with the individual.

Keyed Alike Alternatives

Keyless Entry

Keyless entry is new and is becoming really big business for home and commercial use. Lose a key fob or magnetic card and the system gets reset and new fobs are programmed in. As the industry explodes many are finding holes in the net and ways to bypass such systems.
Expense is also a large contributor. Keyless entry is expensive compared to even the most expensive lock you can buy.

Master key system

Mastered locks are similar to keyed alike locks. The difference is only the master key will open all the locks. The keys are made in a hierarchical state. The master will open all the locks in the building, the zone keys open all locks in the zone. Individual keys will only open the locks they are designated for. See Simple diagram.

For most domestic users master key systems would be unworkable. This is due to the fact the majority of owners would assume ownership of the grandmaster key and not bother with the rest. Then we would return to a keyed alike situation where the master key is lost and all other locks would be openable by whoever was holding the master key.

In Conclusion – Discover the best 1 for you

We can discuss all the options with you. We are happy to help you.

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