🔐 Why You Should Rekey Sliding and Security Door Locks – Even in a Brand New Home
Many homeowners assume that because their house is new, their locks are secure. But did you know that sliding doors and security screen doors often come factory keyed from a shared key pool? That means your key might match someone else's, especially if your locks haven’t been rekeyed by a professional locksmith.
At ATOZ Locksmiths, we’ve helped many homeowners in Geelong and surrounding areas rekey these locks to restore real security—and peace of mind.
🚪 Common Practice in New Homes: Factory-Keyed Locks
When homes are built, locks are usually installed for:
Timber entry doors (commonly construction keyed)
Sliding doors (often aluminium-framed)
Security screen doors (typically added later by the homeowner)
While timber door locks are usually changed or upgraded by the builder or locksmith before handover, sliding door locks and security doors are often overlooked. These locks typically come pre-keyed from the factory, meaning they may:
Share the same key across all doors in the house
Use a key from a large “keyed alike” (KA) pool, not unique to your home
⚠️ The Hidden Risk of Large Key-Alike Pools
A keyed alike (KA) pool is a group of lock barrels that all accept the same key—commonly used to save time and reduce costs.
Here's the problem:
These KA pools can contain hundreds of locks using the same key code
The key code (e.g. KA2, KA5) is often printed or stamped on the key itself
Multiple homes in the same area might unknowingly be using the same key
If your sliding door or screen door lock hasn’t been rekeyed:
Your key may open someone else’s door—and vice versa
The original installer may still have copies of your key
Your home is far less secure than it should be
🔍 Security Doors: Commonly Installed, Rarely Rekeyed
Security screen doors are often installed by screen door companies, not locksmiths. These companies use off-the-shelf, pre-keyed locks to streamline installation. Most homeowners are not informed that:
Their key might be part of a generic KA group
The lock has not been changed or customised
They are responsible for having it rekeyed if they want unique security
🚰️ How to Improve Your Home Security
To make sure your home is secure—especially if it's newly built or recently renovated—ATOZ Locksmiths recommends the following steps:
✔️ Rekey all sliding door and security screen door locks
✔️ Ask for custom keying so all your locks work with one unique key
✔️ Consider upgrading to a restricted key system for added protection (no unauthorised key copies)
✔️ Work only with licensed locksmiths, not just installers
🏡 Peace of Mind Starts with Proper Keying
Factory-keyed locks may offer convenience, but they don’t guarantee security. Rekeying is an easy and affordable way to make sure your keys are truly unique to your home.
If you’re in Geelong, Drysdale, Ocean Grove, or surrounding areas, ATOZ Locksmiths can rekey your locks quickly and professionally—often without replacing the entire lock.
📞 Need a Local Locksmith in Geelong?
At ATOZ Locksmiths, we specialise in rekeying and upgrading locks for homes, units, and new builds. Whether you've just moved in or want to improve your current security setup, we're here to help.
🔐 Call Li (Lee) at ATOZ Locksmiths today on 0481 165 386
or
📩 Visit www.atozlocksmiths.com.au to request a quote.