Keys have been around for thousands of years. Since ancient times, they have been playing an important role in our daily lives.
We need to keep our homes and vehicles safe and locked. Keys protect your home and car and are a necessity that you simply can’t do without.
Since burglars and car thieves are getting smarter with each passing day, keys also became smarter to adequately battle new threats.
With that in mind, here is a table followed by a short guide that will introduce you to some of the basic types of home and car keys.
| Key | Type of Key | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Abloy Key | Home | Difficult to pick. Used in disc tumbler locks. |
| Double or four-sided key | Home | Most common home key. Have two or four sets of teeth depending on the lock. Four sets of teeth offer more security. |
| Cruciform Key | Home | Difficult to pick. Three sets of teeth located at 90-degree angles with four flattened sides. Often used for industrial purposes. |
| Mechanically Cut Key | Car | Most common form of manual car key |
| Transponder Code Car Key | Car | Automatic remote car key |
| Laser Cut Car Key | Car | “Sidewinder” keys that provide increased security |
| Valet Key | Car | Car key that provides limited access to your vehicle for valet purposes. |
| Smart Car Key | Car | Advanced key with no traditional input. Can start car by having this key on your person and pressing your car’s ignition or start button. |