Keyholes

Keyholes
A keyhole is a hole or aperture (as in a door or lock) for receiving a key. Lock keyholes shapes vary widely with lock manufacturer, and many manufacturers have a number of unique profiles requiring a specifically milled key blank to engage the lock’s tumblers.

The Keyhole is essentially a keylock cover. It is an item of ironmongery that surrounds a Keyhole or locking Cylinder. The purpose of the keyholes is to offer protection to your door against damage from the key, help complete the appearance of a door set of ironmongery, prevent prying eyes seeing into a room, and aid in the prevention of the ingress of dust and insects.

There are three basic different types of Keyholes:

1. Standard Keyholes

Standard Keyholes are currently the most common keyholes type in the world. They are designed to work with any standard British ‘Chubb’ style lock. The standard keyholes is meant to be used with a standard Sash Lock or Dead Lock. As the standard format leave quite a large hole in the door, some standard keyholes come with a sliding cover, which covers the hole and helps prevent draughts.

2. Euro Keyholes

Euro Keyholes is designed specifically to work with a Euro Profile Cylinder. Euro Cylinders are commonly used on Multi-point locking systems, and can be used with a freestanding Euro Profile Sash Locks. Originally used primarily in Europe, the Euro cylinder has recently seen widespread use around the world. They are valued for their high security and their ability to be suited locks – Most Euro cylinders can be keyed-alike and master keyed quite easily. Euro Cylinders work via internal pins, and can have added security features such as anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill technology. Another benefit of Euro cylinders is that the keys are much smaller than a standard profile lock, and as such, there are no visibility through the keyhole.

3. Oval Keyholes

Oval Keyholes are very similar to Euro Keyholes, except that the shape is oval, rather than a traditional keyhole, or Euro keyhole. Designed specifically to work with an Oval Profile Cylinder, Oval cylinders are occasionally used on multi-point locking systems, and more commonly with Oval Profile Sash Locks. Oval cylinders are identical to Euro cylinders in function and security, and were used commonly in the 1980’s and 90’s. Since then, Euro cylinders have become the standardly used item, so most of the time Oval Cylinders are used today only to replace old broken Oval Cylinders.

Keyhole covers are available in a wide array of finishes, including popular finishes such as brass, chrome, black, and nickel. Almost all our door handles and knobs have matching keyholes available.