So, you need to rekey the locks at your business. Maybe you’ve had issues with thieves, like many commercial businesses and office buildings in the United States. Or, perhaps you just want some extra peace of mind.
Either way, commercial rekeying sounds like the best option at this time. But you have questions. Should you use existing or new hardware? Is brand important? What about a master key? We cover several commercial rekeying best practices in this post.
Assess Your Needs
First and foremost, it’s wise to identify your needs and where your business needs rekeying. It could be for the entire facility, of course, or you might have certain areas of the business that require more security than others. Perform a security audit to evaluate your current security situations and where you are most vulnerable. Consider consulting with a professional locksmith if you’re not sure where to start and they’ll help you determine whether rekeying existing hardware or replacing it with new locks is the best option.
Replace Hardware
When it comes to hardware for commercial rekeying, you generally have two options: rekeying existing hardware or replacing hardware. The former can be more cost-effective but is a best practice only for locks that are working correctly. If you’re just worried about someone having a key to your property or you want a master key that opens all locks on your property, rekeying existing hardware might be your best option.
Replacing existing locks might be a better option for business owners looking to improve security. While a little more expensive than rekeying existing hardware, commercially rekeying your business with new locks is a great way to upgrade your security or ensure the hardware for all of your doors matches. New locks can offer enhanced features such as better durability, resistance to tampering, and integration with modern security systems.
Lock Branding
Branding isn’t important for everything. After all, the store brand of certain food items is often indistinguishable from top brands of the same items. When it comes to the security of your business, however, brand is crucial. You don’t want to trust the safety of your business (and your customers) to an inferior brand. At A-1 Locksmith Security & Safes, for example, we work with only the top commercial rekeying brands, such as American Lock, Yale, ABUS, Schlage, Stanley, Winchester, Fusion, SARGENT, Mul-T-Lock, Paxton, Liberty and Master Lock.
Using high-quality brands ensures that your locks are reliable, durable, and resistant to common break-in techniques. These brands have a reputation for excellence in security, which can provide you with added peace of mind. Investing in top-tier brands for your locks is a long-term investment in the safety and security of your business.
Master Key Systems
Another area to consider when it comes to commercial rekeying is whether you’ll want a master key system or not. This is only an option if all of your existing locks are the same or if you choose to replace hardware during your commercial rekeying. With a master key system, you can access every lock in your business with the same key. You can also create lock-specific keys, of course, but as the business owner, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re the only one with unlimited access. Even the word “key” here can be used loosely as there are no traditional keys in many modern applications.
Master key systems offer convenience and enhanced security. They allow you to control access to different areas of your business, ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter sensitive locations. Modern master key systems can also integrate with electronic access controls, eliminating the need for traditional keys and enhancing security even further.
Add-On Services
There are always other ways to improve the security of your commercial business. Why not consider them while you’re getting your business rekeyed? You may be able to save when you bundle services and you’ll save time that would be wasted scheduling multiple appointments. Here are some other commercial locksmithing services you can add on:
- Access Controls and Digital Locks: Upgrade to digital locks that offer keyless entry, time-based access and remote management.
- Video and Voice Intercom Systems: Enhance communication and security with intercom systems that allow you to see and speak to visitors before granting access.
- Security Systems and Cameras: Monitor your property in real-time with advanced security cameras and systems that can deter and document unauthorized activity.
- Deposits and Cash Safes: Protect your financial assets with high-security safes designed for business use.
Combining these services can provide a comprehensive security solution for your business, addressing various aspects of security and access control.
If you’re interested in commercial rekeying services, you can trust the team at A-1 Locksmith. We offer expert advice, high-quality products and a range of additional services to meet all your security needs. Give us a call at (972) 284-7500 today for an appointment or estimate. Your security and peace of mind are our top priorities.
Updated 7/22/24
