Different Types of Keys & Locks

The next time you are purchasing a new home or making some upgrades to your existing home, you might begin looking for keys and locks that you will use. You may not be that familiar with the various types of keys and locks that a contractor will likely present to you. We want you to know a little about the various types of locks and keys that will be offered to you.

• Pin Tumbler Lock Key

This is a common key found in many homes. There are a series of grooves on both sides of the key that will limit the type of lock the key will go into. Once the key slides inside the lock, the grooves of the key will align with the wards allowing it to go into the cylinder. A series of notches on the blade allow pins to move up and down so that they align with the shear line of the outer cylinder. This enables the cam to rotate freely until the lock opens.

• Lever Lock Key

This type of key is made of a set of levers that are raised to various heights by the key once turned. When the levers are at the right height, the locking bolt can freely slide in and secure the door. The teeth of the key have flat tops. Lever keys are larger and are not that convenient to carry despite many insurance companies encouraging this type of key usage. This is because they tend to be more difficult to pick.

• Tubular Key

This type of key is meant to open a tubular pin lock. It has a hollow shaft that is often shorter with a larger diameter than most typical keys. Tubular keys are often found on bike locks, vending machines, and launderettes. A modern version of the tubular key is difficult to duplicate. This is because it is less common and a different machine is used to make this type of key. They are made in four and eight-pin models.

• Car Keys

There is a lot to say about this type of key but we’ll keep it to a minimum. This type of key needs is used to open and start your car. You may have a standard car key, which means you will need to physically insert the key into the keyhole or a smart key that enables you to remotely open or start your car. This is the modern convenience that most motorists appreciate these days and perhaps is the reason more manufacturers are making this type of key.

Now that you are familiar with some of the different types of locks that are available to you, you can make a well-informed decision about you’re the type of keys you’ll purchase or that are needed for your locks. That’s right. We should at least discuss the various types of locks that you may need.

• Door Handle Lock

This is the most widely-known type of lock and is very inexpensive. This lock is inside the handle of door. The handle will not rotate until the right key has been inserted into the lock. This type of lock is typically installed on interior doors, like entryway or room doors.