Duplicating a house key is usually the simplest job we do — until it isn't. The moment a key involves a restricted keyway, a high-security cylinder, or a "Do Not Duplicate" stamp, the job requires more than a hardware store kiosk can offer, and knowing which category your key falls into before you hand it over somewhere else can save a wasted trip. Can-Lock Security handles key duplication across Ottawa, ON, from everyday house keys to restricted commercial systems used by the city's condo buildings and businesses.
Not Every Key Duplicates the Same Way
- Standard residential keys, cut on common, unrestricted blanks that most locksmiths and hardware stores can duplicate freely
- Restricted keyway keys, cut on a proprietary blank only available to authorized dealers — increasingly common across Ottawa's condo buildings and rental properties, specifically to prevent a borrowed or lost key from being casually copied
- High-security cylinder keys, often requiring factory authorization or a signature card before a duplicate can be cut, common in newer commercial installations across the city
- Keys stamped "Do Not Duplicate" — a request we take seriously, and we'll ask questions before duplicating anything that isn't clearly your own property
Same-Day Standard Key Cutting
For everyday house and office keys, duplication across Ottawa is usually a same-day job. We cut on-site, test the fit before handing it over, and match from an existing working copy when the original is too worn to cut a reliable duplicate from.
Restricted and High-Security Duplication
Ottawa's condo buildings, rental properties, and commercial facilities increasingly rely on restricted keyways to manage turnover risk. Duplication on these systems typically requires:
- Proof you're authorized to hold or issue keys for the system, such as being the owner, property manager, or an authorized signer on file
- A signature or authorization card on file with the manufacturer for factory-restricted cylinders
- In some cases, a code card from the original installation, letting us cut keys to spec without an original key present
We also set up restricted systems for Ottawa property owners and businesses who want this level of control going forward, not just duplicate against an existing one.
Transponder and Electronic Keys
Some keys carry more than a physical cut — vehicle keys and certain electronic access keys include a chip that needs to be programmed, not just shaped. A duplicated blade without matching programming won't function even if it looks identical. If your key involves any electronic component, confirm with us before assuming a standard duplication covers it; this overlaps with our fob and remote programming service.
Why This Matters More Than People Think
A lot of Ottawa's security gaps don't come from a lock being picked — they come from a key copied one too many times with no one tracking where the copies ended up. A departed employee's key never collected. A contractor's "just in case" spare that never came back. A tenant from a few leases ago. Restricted keyways exist specifically to close this gap, and for any Ottawa property with regular turnover, moving to a restricted system is often smarter long-term than repeatedly rekeying after every departure.
Key Policy for Ottawa Businesses
Businesses managing multiple staff or tenants benefit from a deliberate key policy:
- A restricted keyway limiting duplication to an authorized dealer
- A signed authorization list defining who can request copies
- Records of how many keys have been issued, useful when a rekey decision comes up after staff turnover
This connects directly with our industrial locksmith and security consultation services for Ottawa businesses treating key control as part of a broader security plan.
Serving All of Ottawa
Can-Lock Security cuts standard keys same-day and manages restricted and high-security duplication for homes, condo buildings, and businesses across every part of Ottawa.
Call our Ottawa line at 613-908-8815 to ask whether your key can be cut on the spot or needs authorization first.
