Most houses have multiple doors in the front, back, and leading from the garage or porch to the living area. All of those doors have locks for security. Some homeowners choose to have all of their locks keyed alike so they can be opened with a single key. There are pros and cons to taking that approach.
Advantages of Having All Locks Keyed Alike
The most common reason why homeowners have all of their locks keyed alike is simply convenience. Having to carry a keychain with several keys to your house, along with keys to vehicles and possibly work, can be heavy and inconvenient. All of those keys would need to be labeled so you would know which fit each lock. You would have to fumble around with all of the keys on your key ring to find the one that fit a particular lock. By having all of your locks keyed alike, you could eliminate these hassles and simply use one key.
Reasons Not to Have Locks Keyed Alike
There are also advantages to having each door opened with a different key. The most important reason to do this is to restrict access to certain parts of your house to specific people. For example, you might want your neighbors to be able to enter the porch to leave a package for you, but you might not want them to be able to walk into your house when you are not home.
Another reason why you might not want to have all of your locks keyed alike is that someone could lose a key. If that happened, you would need to have all of your locks rekeyed to prevent someone who found the key from entering your house. If the locks were keyed differently, you would only have to rekey the lock that was opened with the key that was lost.
It Is Not Always Possible to Open All Locks with One Key
Sometimes it is not possible for a locksmith to key all of the locks in a house alike. If your locks are made by different brands or are of different types, you may have no choice but to use different keys for each one, unless you want to replace the locks with ones made by the same manufacturer.
Eliminate the Need for Keys with Keyless Entry Locks
Another option you might not have considered is installing keyless entry locks. While they are most often used in businesses, keyless entry locks can also be installed in homes. You could open your doors by using a code, access card, or key fob instead of needing to carry one or more keys with you at all times.
Call All American Locksmiths to Discuss Your Options
Keying all of the locks in your home alike has advantages and disadvantages. The primary advantage is that it can simplify life and eliminate the need to carry a key ring filled with many keys. The drawbacks are that anyone with a key will have access to your entire home and all of the locks will need to be rekeyed if a key is lost.
Once you have weighed the pros and cons and decided whether or not you want to have all of the locks in your house keyed alike, call All American Locksmiths. We serve locations throughout Connecticut, including Brookfield, Easton, and Monroe. We can key the locks alike or set them up so each is opened with a separate key, if that is what you prefer. We can also install keyless entry locks in your home. If you are not sure about the best course of action, we can discuss your needs and concerns and help you make the best decision for your circumstances. Contact us today to learn more.
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