Modern Day Keys from A to Z

New types of keys continue to show up on the market as technology advances, and designs are changing to keep property safer and more break-in resistant. We duplicate and work with a vast number of keys and locks in the El Mirage and Peoria area and wanted to inform our readers about some of the most common modern-day key types.

Abloy keys

Abloy key deposits store keys to office buildings, apartment complexes and factories. They are used on a disc tumbler lock and are said to be virtually impossible to pick.

Car keys

These are the keys to a car. See laser-cut and mechanically cut car keys for more on car keys.

Deadbolt keys

Deadbolt keys are the standard key and lock system for a home. There are typically three different types of deadbolt locks and adjoining keys: single cylinder, double cylinder, and lockable thumb-turn. These keys are cut and duplicated quite easily by professionals. 

Furniture keys

Usually similar to sliding glass door keys, furniture keys can be made by a locksmith to gain access to an old desk or cabinet if you don’t have the key anymore.  Most furniture has bolt style or push-button style locks, so most furniture keys can be remade if lost. For reference, furniture keys can often resemble a sliding glass door key.

Knob lock keys

As an alternative to the deadbolt lock and key system, knob lock keys are more simple or basic but are gradually being phased out. Knob lock keys are still essential and are cut most often because the systems are still around. We suggest moving to a different type of lock and key system as knob locks are easier to pick than deadbolts and other alternatives.

Laser-cut car keys

Incredibly hard, but not impossible, for criminals to duplicate, laser-cut car keys have the exact same groove cut on each side. This allows the keys to be inserted face up in the ignition in both directions. The intricacy of the design tends to keep most intruders from copying or entering a vehicle. Consumers most often request laser-cut keys.

Mailbox keys

Usually smaller than regular keys, mailbox keys are one of the most commonly duplicate keys. Apartment buildings and any place with roommates should usually have a couple of mailbox keys as they tend to get lost very often. 

Mechanically-cut car keys

The difference of the mechanically cut car key and the laser cut car key is that the former only has one side with cuts. It can only go in the ignition one possible way. Most older vehicles have mechanically cut car keys and are ideally cut by a locksmith.

Multi-sided keys

Multi-sided keys are also known as double-sided or four-sided keys. Most commonly used for home locks, they have teeth on more than one side and help keep burglars from duplicating or picking the locks of your home. 

Paracentric keys

Paracentric keys are also designed specifically to deter picking. They have wards on each side, making them easy to detect but hard for criminals to duplicate or hinder.

Padlock keys

Locksmiths have a lot of experience in padlock keys and can almost always make a copy. Padlocks are often used for bikes or lockers. If you're ever in doubt, contact a professional locksmith for help.

Transponder keys

Standard in newer cars, the transponder key uses radio signals to activate or start the engine when in proximity to the vehicle. Transponder keys are explicitly designed to prevent theft.

Tubular keys

Often known as a barrel key, the tubular key opens and closes a ring or bike lock. The lock is also called a tubular pin tumbler lock and is used in many different forms and features. You can usually tell it's a tubular lock because of its cylindrical shape.

TSA lock keys

These are the keys that open TSA approved luggage locks. While most people believe there is a master key that only TSA agents have access to, the keys are reasonably easy to duplicate. 

Valet keys

Valet keys are very similar to the standard car key, yet they offer less access to items like the trunk or glove box. Valet keys still can unlock doors and start the ignition but provide only bare-bones accessibility to keep owners' minds at ease when offering up their car to a stranger for a few hours.

With so many different keys and functionalities, most consumers can feel at ease that safety has been on the rise with more intricate key and lock system design and technologies. If you ever need a duplicate or want to know the safest option for your property, please give us a call. 

Kwikpick Lock and Safe offers FREE lockout service for children or pets. If you need locksmith services for your Surprise, El Mirage, or Phoenix home or auto, call today! Bill 623-300-1889.