Master Key or Keyed Alike-whats the difference

We often get asked about Master Key Suites Installation with many people not knowing entirely what it is and on many occasions it is mixed up with having a lock Keyed Alike. There is a big difference between the two-not just the price but the complexity of one and the simplicity of the other also!

As respected North London Locksmiths it is our job to know this and although this article may be telling you something you have little or no interest in it could also mean you know what you require when obtaining an inquiry in the future.

Keyed Alike

Keyed Alike is simply two or more locks that can be operated on the same key, many of our customers like to have one key to open their nightlatch as well as their Mortice Deadlock.

Having a Keyed Alike system is good for business purposes as only having open key to operate 2 or 3 locks is less confusing, however it is most popular for residential homes. We are finding more and more people like the one key system more and more these days.

Master Key

A Master key suite is a bit more complex. It also has one key that will operate all of the locks (this is the Master Key) however it also has individual keys that open only individual locks which is known as the change key (or servant key).

A Master Key Suite can get extremely complex with a hierarchy of different types of keys including Grand Master and Great Grand Master key however the principle remains the same.

Master Key Suites are ideal for landlords with multiple properties and commercial premises’ such as Hotels and Hostels.