What Exactly Is Rekeying A Lock?

What Exactly Is Rekeying A Lock?

Posted by on Jun 8, 2016 in Locksmith |

Lock rekeying is the process of changing the lock code. The lock is taken apart and the locking pins are replaced with new pins and springs, then new keys are cut to match the new locking pins. At this point the old keys will not operate the lock.

The reasons for rekeying a lock are many, but they should all revolve around security and key control. Let’s say that a bank has 5 keys that open the bank doors, when they do an audit it is discovered that they cannot account for one key. They have two choices: replace all the locks that the lost key opened or rekey all those locks. If the door hardware is in good condition then the choice should be to rekey. A locksmith like beverlyhillslocksmith.org can do this job at the bank and cut new keys to match the rekeyed locks.

Key control is the process of knowing where all your keys are and who has them. If you can’t account for even one then rekeying should be your first action. Remember, without Control you do not have a secure facility. Most quality locks can be rekeyed and if the lock happens to be high security, then when it is rekeyed you will get a new registered code with registered keys.

 

professional locksmith1Rekeying has an advantage if you want to change the keying sequence of your building. For example, if you have multiple doors that work with a different key (keyed different) and you want these doors to all open with the same key (keyed alike). All of these locks can be taken apart and rekeyed so that they all open with the same key. To take this a little further you can create a master system. This is when all the doors open with different keys, but you have one (master) that will open all the doors.

To rekey a lock, the cylinder must be made so that it can be removed from the padlock. Once removed the combination pins are changed to a new configuration and keys are cut to match. This process can be done many times. Not all padlocks are rekeyable though, it depends on the manufacturer, the manufacturing process and the cost. Most padlocks sold at big box stores are not rekeyable.

If you lose your keys and you want to make sure that your stuff is still secure you either have to purchase new padlocks or rekey them. The rekey process is much cheaper. For years high security padlocks were manufactured to be rekeyable. With these locks the rekey process is a little different. These types of locks use restricted lock and key codes. This usually means that only you will have those lock codes and therefore the keys to open those locks.

For businesses these types of locks offer many benefits:

rekeyingThe ability to change the lock codes quickly if keys are lost Padlocks can be keyed alike in groups from two to thousands There is the ability to create a master system Key control, you know where your keys are and who has them

There is another type of lock cylinder that go into padlocks. These are called removable core, SFIC or changeable. With these the complete lock cylinder is removed from the padlock and replaced with another one. The core can then be rekeyed and made ready for use in another padlock. The benefit to these types of locks is that anyone can change the padlock core. This helps to regain control of your keys immediately. Removable core padlocks are usually available only at service centers or locksmith stores and cost more than standard padlocks.

So how can you tell if a lock is rekeyable? For the average person it could be tough. If you go to big box stores the padlocks are usually carded, sealed in plastic and hung on a hook. Unless it is stated on the packaging it would be difficult to know. I don’t think that store personnel would be any help. If you want this type of padlock go to a professional Service Center.

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The Top 5 Lock Brands In The United States

The Top 5 Lock Brands In The United States

Posted by on Jun 6, 2016 in Locksmith |

Currently, one of the greatest security trends is installing top security locks which keep home and businesses safe and secure. Any commercial business owners who want to boost the security of their buildings have many lock brand choices available.

Each homeowner knows that the quality door lock is a vital part of home security. Security is often a high priority for many people, when it comes to selecting door locks for their homes in the US, followed by cost, finish as well as style.

For a low price, one can easily enhance the security of their home with a broad variety of different door locks which are available today in the United States market.

Choosing the best locks for your doors is based on whether a door is interior or exterior, as each kind of door requires a fully different locking mechanism. Taking that into consideration, let us have a look at the top 5 lock brands in the US according to lakeoswegolocksmith.net:

1. Schlage Locks

Schlage logoThese locks provide multiple benefits as well as innovations which most brands don’t. This is possibly one of the reasons the brand is recommended by several locksmiths, builders, homeowners, and even security personnel.

Schlage locks are known for their tubular design which makes them almost impossible to pick. What is more, the keys have a distinct shape and biting on numerous faces of the key making them difficult to replicate.

These locks are very resistant to kick-ins and any other types of tampering, due to their forged brass construction.

2. Kwikset Locks

Kwikset is a lock and the lockset manufacturer owned by the Spectrum Brands Hardware and Home Improvement Group (HHI), an American international.

The firm produces and distributes an entire line of door locks as well as door accessories including door knobs, deadbolts, electronic keyless entry locks for commercial, door levers, and residential applications and much more.

The majority of US enterprises and households depend on these locks for top security and peace of mind. They aren’t only reliable but also relatively affordable compared to most door lock brands on the market today.

Kwikset locks can be found in nearly every United States store dealing in locks. Even though most consumers believe that cheap products are poor quality, do not be mistaken by this common misleading assumption, Kwikset Locks are some of the greatest locks in class within the market.

3. Omnia Lock

For about half a century, Omnia Industries, Inc has been producing and supplying a broad variety of quality door locks and other accessories at a low cost.

Crafted from aluminum and brass to match the decor of your office building or home, Omnia products are simple yet provide a contemporary style.

The locks they produce are simple but provide a modern style. Most of their accessories are made of aluminum and brass to complete the decor of any office building.

They combine style with reliability and durability without putting any dent in your wallet. The firm distributes its line through the popular wholesale distributors and retail showrooms in the trade.

Their major customer base is the US. However, they also export to the neighboring countries such as Canada, and overseas.

4. Baldwin Locks

Baldwin1Having been in business for nearly 7 decades, the Baldwin Lock American brand is currently a household name regarding home security.

It’s one of the best lock brands in the US with most consumers-homeowners and businesses alike, due to its pioneering ideas as well as remarkable quality.

While their competitors are machine-made, Baldwin locks are hand-crafted to offer the highest quality, greatest performance and to be aesthetically-appealing.

The firm also manufactures high-quality lock accessories which are suitable for each building which needs high security be it commercial or residential.

5. Weslock Door Locks and Accessories

Weslock is another popular door locks and accessories producer in the United States. Since 1932, the firm has lived up to its high reputation for innovative and quality locks and door accessories.

So if safety, security, as well as design, are your priorities, then consider this brand as your choice for reliable and quality door locks and accessories for your safe haven.

Not only are their products strong and durable, but they also provide a visual appeal for your home, due to the designs which improve the look and feel of your home.

 

Even though the list of the best lock brands in the US is extensive, these are the brands which are proven and associated with each American office building or home.

If the safety of your business premises or home is one of your high priorities, then go for any one of these locks and accessories brands. All of them give value for money.

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A Closer Look At Schlage Locks

A Closer Look At Schlage Locks

Posted by on Jun 5, 2016 in Locksmith |

Schlage locks offer many advantages and innovations that discount brands don’t. Because of this, Schlage is preferred by many builders, locksmiths and security specialists. Following are some the features that make these door locks stand out.

The tubular design of Schlage locks makes them almost impossible to pick. In addition, the keys have an abnormal shape and bittings on multiple faces of the key. The forged brass construction also makes them resistant to kick-ins and other types of tampering.

Schlage electronic1Electronic locks are available for both residential and commercial applications. These allow for keyless entry, multiple user codes, and auto-locking after the door recloses. Schlage pre-programs the electronic locks with random codes so no two locks are the same from the factory, thus adding another layer of security.

All Schlage products are rigorously tested to meet ANSI standards. The locks are long-lasting and easily re-keyed or repaired by a locksmith. While discount brands may malfunction after heavy use, Schlage offers a 3-year warranty on commercial locks and a limited lifetime warranty on residential locks.

Schlage D-seriesThe Grade 2, residential locks from Schlage meet the same stringent security requirements as their Grade 1 commercial locks. For example, the solid, one piece design of the deadbolts makes them resistant to attacks with hammers or crow bars. The Grade 1 security also prevents the key cylinder from being knocked out with a screwdriver or chisel.

The security features alone make these locks a top seller. However, innovation with electronic locks, including remote access and control via the Web make Schlage the industry leader in door security. The Schlage lock has been a trusted symbol for almost a century, providing the finest in home and business security. The new keypad locks and deadlocks are no exception, combining high quality metal works with digital technology to provide maximum security. Both keypad and deadbolt lock types can be used for homes and offices. Keypad locks have levers while deadbolts use thumb-turns. The bodies and levers of the locks have different shapes and styles like the Plymouth, Camelot, Addison, Century and Wakefield designs. They also come in bright brass, aged bronze and satin nickel finishes. All of them can be equipped with the new keypad system.

These locks are programmable by an administrator (owner), who is given a 6-digit programmers key upon purchase. Access to the door is granted upon input of a 4-digit combination. A lock can have up to 19 working 4-digit combinations at a time (from a total of 10,000 possible combinations). After four failed attempts of entering the code, the lock will make warning sounds, and the keypad will be disabled for a few seconds.

Both the lever and deadbolt lock’s hardware have two available types: the Autolock and the Flexlock. The Autolock has no thumb-turn or lever from the inside. The bolt automatically locks after five seconds of being closed. This guarantees that you will never forget to lock an important storage or work room. The Flexlock, on the other hand, allows both manual locking (from the inside) and automatic locking after five seconds. The latter is recommended for the main doors of a home.

One may think that installing such a complex system would be difficult. However, it is a simple as installing ordinary door knobs and deadbolts. There is no need for extra drill holes since it will fit on regular door preps. Battery replacement is minimal since the alkaline battery (9 volts) will last up to three years.

One of the most amazing features of this cutting edge security system is the Z-Wave “Schlage LiNK” system. This is a wireless network, which allows your keypad and deadlocks to be accessed over the internet. This system uses the Bridge, a secure online application. Through this feature, you can lock, unlock and block 4-digit combinations wherever you are by connecting to the Internet through a phone or a computer. The Bridge also allows you to monitor who is opening your door. Their respective pass-codes are recognized by the computer. You can also open/lock the doors remotely in cases of fire and other emergencies.

Finally, the Z-Wave network for your lock can be enhanced to control house lights. Through this, you can manage the lighting of your house, even if you are miles away. By programming through the Bridge, you an also make your houselights “greet” incoming users differently depending on their individual pass code.

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Rekeying vs. Changing Your Locks

Rekeying vs. Changing Your Locks

Posted by on Jun 2, 2016 in Locksmith |

Every home and business owner knows how important it is to secure one’s property and there are many requirements that a security measure should meet. Did you just acquire the space? What are the kinds of locks that are currently installed? How old are the installed locks, and do they meet your needs with regards to the security level you are after? Do you feel safe with the amount of security your locks provide? These are just some of the essential questions you should find answers to, so you can make a rather sound decision in choosing whether to rekey or change your locks completely. Big thank you to Greshamlocksmith.org for all the helpful information.

First, let us define lock rekeying…

Rekeying2Before you decide whether to rekey or change the lock assembly of your business space or home, you need to understand first how a lock rekey procedure goes as well as its pros and cons. It is actually one of the most common tasks for locksmiths, but it is still a complicated security lock that gives sufficient protection.

A lock rekeying process changes the tumblers of your current lock so that all of the wafers would be jumbled or set in a much different order. This is usually done to retain the lock that is already utilized, but still change the keys entirely. A competent locksmith can easily use the newer code from the tumblers, so that the current keys will no longer work with the changed lock tumblers.

If the locks on your doors are made of a (ANSI) security grade of one or higher, then your locksmith wont have to go through a lot of hassle to rekey all of them. This also a great factor you need to consider if you want to update your locks, but also save a couple of bucks at the same time.

The Benefits You Can Get from Rekeying Your Locks

As soon as you have your locks rekeyed, you wont have to worry about buying any additional hardware anymore which would usually reap you off your hard earned money. Below are more benefits you can get from rekeying your locks.

*It will maintain the current aesthetic of your door, which is without any annoying paint lines.*it is very convenient, because you can use the same locks.*It would cost you much less!

You Need to Change Your Locks If…

When the current locks to your house or business space are shaky and old, out of style and jiggly, then it is definitely time for you to change the assembly of your locks entirely. Below are the three signs you need to watch out for that would signify that you need a replacement job done.

*If your locks have experienced being damaged, broken into or any other mishap

When some parts of your current locking system has already been taken out from the frame of the door, or the entire assembly has been worn down already that you can already witness the sections of the lock not doing the security mechanism it is supposed to perform, then it is now time for you to purchase a brand new lock set.

*If your locks are rather old that there are no longer parts available in the market

You could have an antique set of locks. This is actually bad news, if this is the case, because that would mean you can no longer have the option of having the locks rekeyed. Your only point of action now is to change the locks altogether. If you upgrade your locks, you would get a much higher level of protection because locks are already manufactured with high tech procedures in the recent years. If you insist on having your antique locks rekeyed, then let me warn you that you will have a very hard time finding a locksmith that would work on your antique locks.

*If you are requiring a high level of protection for your business space or home

biometric fingerprint lock1Your current locks may be installed with a rather poor or low security rating. If you want to feel more secure with your system of protection, then you might want to put upgrading the locks into a Grade 1 security level into your to-do list.

Changing your locks would mean you get to utilize a newer and better technology. The modern locks are much harder to drill, tamper with and pick. We recommend that you ask your locksmith which brands are the best in producing quality locks, since there are so many to choose from. If you once had a bad experience with a specific brand of locks in the past, you should also discuss it with your locksmith so he or she can advise you regarding your concerns.

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Why Re-Key Your Home?

Why Re-Key Your Home?

Posted by on May 23, 2016 in Locksmith |

Everybody values his or her valuable possessions. This is the reason why you need to optimize the security of your belongings. In addition, it is important that you optimize the security of your loved ones so that they can remain safe. You will realize that most individuals have ever experienced burglary at their homes at one time or another. This can frustrate you a great deal. You need to re-key your home so that your home can remain safe from intruders. You can actually hire the services of a locksmith so that he can re-key the locks of your home. You will realize that most locksmiths normally charge a certain fee for the services they offer. Why re-key your home? There are many reasons why you should re-key your home. They include the following:

1. You moved into a new home.

Many individuals are normally excited to move into a new home. However, once you move into a new home, you need to address a number of issues. You need to clean your house and arrange your items so that they can remain orderly. Did you know that it is important that you re-key your new home? The previous tenant could have retained an extra key that he or she did not surrender to the landlord. This can compromise the security of your belongings. This is the reason why you should rekey your new home.

2. In the event of misplacing your keys.

lost car keyYour keys are very essential to you as a home owner. This is the reason why you should take of them all the time. However, you will realize that many individuals normally misplace their keys now and then. This can be detrimental to you as a home owner. If you happen to lose or misplace your keys, you need to re-key your home. Remember that someone might have spotted you with those keys before misplacing them. He or she can actually access your home without your consent. This can compromise the security of your belongings a great deal.

3. If you reside in an area that has high insecurity.

Everybody would like to live in a secure area. If you live in an area where there is rampant insecurity, you should re-key your home. Remember that such areas are prone to theft and burglary. This will go a long way in preventing intruders into your house. You can always be assured that your valuable possessions are safe when you are away at work.

4. If you do not trust your relatives or friends with your keys.

Many individuals normally share their keys with their friends and relatives. However, some friends and relatives can be mischievous. Some of them can conspire with other people and steal your property when you are away. In such circumstances, it is advisable that you re-key your home. This will go a long way in ensuring that nobody gets into your home without your consent.

5. If your locks are unreliable.

You should always ensure that your locks are reliable so that your belonging can remain safe all the time. You will realize that there are some locks that can be opened by multiple keys. You should re-key those locks as soon as possible. Faulty locks can make intruders access your home when you are away at work. Do not take chances. You should re-key your home so that your possessions can remain safe.

6. In the event of separation and divorce.

Divorce 2Some people normally don’t know how to handle conflicts well. This could lead to separation and even divorce. If you are a married man, you might end up divorcing your wife. You might also fire your house help and so on. Remember that those individuals might have retained an extra key of your home. They might not hand over all the keys to you before leaving your house. This is the reason why you should not relent in re-keying your home. These individuals can access your home when you are away at work. However, when you re-key your home, they will not be in a position to access it.

It is very important to re-key your home. This will enable you to have some peace of mind when you are away from your home. Remember to hire a professional locksmith so that you can get quality services. Do not leave anything to chance. Re-key your home today and you will enjoy the results.

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