Commercial 3 min read·
How do master key systems work?
Master keying uses extra pins (called master wafers) inside each cylinder so multiple key cuts can rotate the same lock — letting one master open many doors.
A typical office master system has change keys (one per door), sub-master keys (one per department), and one grand master that opens everything. Carefully designed, it scales to hundreds of doors.
Trade-offs: more pins per cylinder slightly reduces pick resistance, and adding doors later requires careful planning so future keys don't accidentally open old locks.
Apex Locksmith designs and re-pins master systems for offices, schools, and rental properties throughout Apex, NC and Cary, NC. We document the system so future changes are simple.
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