Are all locks and keys unique?

When buying a door lock for your home, you expect that lock to be unique to you. But despite the whole purpose of door locks being to allow entry to only those people you’ve trusted with your key, not every door lock is unique.

How are keys made unique?

Generally keys are created using “codes” where a number represents the height of the peaks on the key. So given say 5 pins with say 10 different height possibilities you’re looking at 10^5 unique possibilities. You can then add another dimension of complexity by putting ridges on the sides of the keys.

Do the same locks have the same key?

Even worse, some duplications are deliberate, as locks are made in sets. your front and back doors may use the same key for both the knob and the deadbolt. So yes, it’s common.

How do they make locks different?

To do this they split the pins at various places. If for example the pin had 5 different places it could be cut, and the lock barrel has 5 pins, then the total number of differs that lock could contain is 25. In a batch of 50 padlocks every lock would be repeated once on average.

How keys are manufactured?

Keys are cut with a machine called a key duplicator. The key duplicator is then turned on, and as the original and blank keys move horizontally across the machine, the blade cuts into the blank key, using the original as a sort of template. Afterward, the lock tech will sand the duplicate key for a smooth finish.

Is every Kwikset key different?

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).

Are keys made of steel?

It’s common knowledge that the majority of door and car keys are made out of metal. The majority of house keys are made out of a combination of nickel and silver, or brass. While most keys come in either silver or brown colouring, they are able to be plated in assorted colours as well.

How can you tell which locks are keyed alike?

It’s easy to spot locks that are keyed alike. “Look right on the box and find a particular key number,” Boddie said. For example, locks by Schlage with the Number 10239; one key can open four locks. Kwikset is another popular brand that uses the same method with their packaging. One key can actually open six locks.

Do all keys have the same length pins?

Different locks have different length pins in the bottom, meaning a different key is needed to line them up to unlock the lock. Not all keys are unique, as one lock type may have several keys the same, but the chances of coming accross an identical one is very unlikley.

How many locks can you open with one key?

One key can actually open six locks. When we reached out to Home Depot to find out how many of their locks were keyed alike, they said, “We are not able to break out that information, and to contact the manufacturers.” If you do buy new locks and want added protection, Boddie has advice before installing them.

Should you buy new locks or re-key your locks?

If you do buy new locks and want added protection, Boddie has advice before installing them. “The way to combat it is to have the locks re-keyed,” he said. To get your locks re-keyed, visit your local locksmith to have them do it for you. Or, just ask the store you’re purchasing the locks from to re-key the lock to one you may already own.