Lake Stevens WA Locksmith in Lake Stevens, Washington - Lock and Key Types

The locksmith profession is a lot more complicated than most people think. The truth is that locks and keys are very diverse and very complicated. After all, they should be difficult to break, so they need to be complex. Although you may not be accustomed to other locks except those on the door of your home or of your car, there are dozens of other types of locks. Technology has advanced a lot in the lock industry and newer and more complicated locks appear all the time. The latest locks are much more difficult to break, of course. They offer increased security for your home and office. Locks range from basic door locks to complex electronic access systems – yes, these are also locks that a locksmith has to know how to install, replace and repair.

Our company, Lake Stevens WA Locksmith in Lake Stevens, Washington offers the best locksmith services for both residential and commercial properties. In addition, we offer automotive locksmith services as well. We use only the best brands on the market to deliver our services and we have access to the latest and most advanced hardware. Our technicians are available 24 hours a day, so you can count on us at any hour of day or night. We can assist you with your locks in the middle of the night, no problem! Let’s take a closer look at what we have to offer in the lock department.

Locks That Use Physical Keys

Warded Lock –This is the most basic lock. It’s probably the lock you have on your front door. These locks have several obstructions that correspond only to the key that was created for them. Any key that does not match up cannot rotate freely in the lock and cannot unlock the door. These locks don’t provide much security, so they are mostly used on doors of homes that are located in relatively secure areas. Skeleton keys can open warded locks relatively easy. This is why warded locks are almost never used in places where high security is a must.
Pin Tumbler Lock – This is an ancient lock dating from around 4000 B.C. in Egypt. It is similar to a warded lock but uses pins instead of obstructions. Of course, if you don’t use the correct key, the lock does not unlock. The keys of these locks contain some grooves that prevent them from being inserted into any other pin tumbler lock. This makes these locks more secure than the warded locks because a limited number of keys can be inserted into a pin tumbler lock. Skeleton keys are not very effective at breaking these locks.
Wafer Tumbler Lock –This lock is similar to the pin tumbler lock but uses wafers instead of pins. The wafers fit in a cylinder that is spring-loaded. When the correct key is inserted, the wafers form a straight line and the door gets unlocked. These locks are relatively inexpensive but are quite secure. You can find them mostly on car doors and cabinet locks.
Disc Tumbler Lock –Also known as an Abloy lock, these locks contain several discs. Each disc has a differently sized section cut into it. These locks are considerably more difficult to pick than the other types of locks. One would need professional tools and quite a bit of time to pick such a lock. This is why these are often sold as “high-security locks”. Although they are more expensive than their counterparts, disc tumbler locks are a good option if you are worried about security.

Locks That Use Electronic Keys

Electronic Lock –these locks operate using electric current. There are several ways to open an electronic lock, including entering a numeric passcode or using a switch for apartment intercoms. There are some more complicated electronic locks such as access control systems that use passcodes. These are used in military compounds, so they are quite secure. Also, another person can allow access if you use an access control system.
Keycard Lock –this type of lock can only be opened by using a special keycard. The keycard is preconfigured and can be reused any number of times by reconfiguring it. The lock will only disengage if the keycard’s signature matches that of the lock. In any other case, the lock will not disengage and the person using the wrong key card will not be able to gain access to the property. Of course, the problem is that a keycard can be stolen and used by someone other than the intended person.
Smart Lock – this is the most advanced type of electronic lock. These locks can lock or unlock doors based on a cryptographic key it receives via wireless signal from a smart device (like a smartphone). This type of locks is become more popular in residential neighborhoods where almost everyone owns a smart device.

As you can see, there is a wide range of lock systems. Each one is designed to suit a need and each one has its strengths and weaknesses. The lock industry is definitely not an easy field, so locksmiths need a lot of training to be able to install, replace and repair the various types of locks available. If you need the services of the best locksmith in Lake Stevens, Lake Stevens WA Locksmith can help you at your earliest convenience. Our trained professionals are very experienced at working with any type of lock (including electronic locks). We can unlock residential and commercial properties, as well as cars and safes.

Our locksmiths are available 24/7 through our emergency locksmith service. We are ready to assist you with any kind of lock problem you may be experiencing. We can help in case you get locked out of your car or home in the middle of the night. We can also help if you can’t lock the front door of your house or your car door. Don’t put your safety – or the safety of your family – at risk. Call us immediately and we will solve the problem ASAP!