Mortice locks are popular for a good reason – they offer excellent security and reliability. But some mortice locks are more secure than others. The more levers there are inside the mechanism, the more difficult the lock will be to pick.
Mortise locks are one of the most secure forms of residential hardware available today. What makes mortise locks so much more secure than their cylinder counterparts? A pocket cut into the short edge of the door, allows a longer and thicker mortise box to slide into the door itself, providing superior protection.
Mortise lock cutouts may weaken the structure of the door– yet mortise locks are mysteriously stronger than bored cylindrical locks! They give more leverage and last longer than cylindrical locks, and their versatility allows more architectural conformity to existing security hardware.
To pick these, you need to apply tension to the bolt with one wire and lift the levers with another. It's the same principle as pin tumblers really, you tension the bolt to bind the levers and feel which one is binding the most, lift until you feel it set, then continue.
Mortise locks cost more because they are more durable, secure and offer more functions than cylinder locks. Plus they come with extra installation costs. On the other side, cylinder locks are more economical and convenient for locations with minimal security needs.
Mortise: Mortise. Pros: Very durable; locks have more features, and trim is easy to replace or upgrade because, unlike tubular locks, latch and lock fit in one hole. Cons: Costs about 50 percent more than tubular; usually requires a locksmith to install. A special-order item; allow up to 10 days for delivery.
Mortise locks were typically used before 1950, and tubular locks after 1950. Read on for a quick explanation on the differences between these two types of door locks.
If you lose keys to a mortice lock, a locksmith will usually drill the lock to gain entry, replace the lock and provide a new set of keys. Alternatively a locksmith could pick the lock to gain entry and then make a new key for the lock.
In some cases the lock could be quick & easy to open such as basic euro cylinder or nightlatch, some locks are trickier and take longer. Some locksmiths may charge more to open a mortice lock, as in some cases a mortice lock can take longer to open than rim or euro locks.
In the world of lock manufacturers, the name Abloy holds an exalted reputation. Their series of Abloy Protect 2 locks are near unpickable due to two key factors. The locks have advanced manipulation resistance, making them impossible to be picked.
A mortice deadlock is designed to be fitted into the timber edge of a door and allows the door to be manually locked from both sides with a key. A deadlock is a lock bolt only and does not have a latch/catch section for the operation of a door knob/handle.
So for example, a 5 lever mortice lock provides a much greater level of security than a 2 or 3 lever lock. It's essential that when fitting a mortice lock to an external door that you use a 5 lever lock for the highest level of protection.
Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are commonly used on exterior house doors. Single and double cylinder locks are classified by strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3. Grade 1 is the highest and provides the best security.
Unlike a spring bolt, which is held in place by tension, a deadbolt is a heavy-duty lock that is not easily forced open. As a result, deadbolts are often used on doors that are considered to be high-security areas, such as homes and businesses.
Deadbolts provide the highest level of front door security. To ensure your door locks provide solid home security, choose locks and deadbolts that are pick-resistant and bump proof. Good locks use mushroom pins or pick shields to prohibit thieves from using picking tools to pry the lock and enter your home.
A mortice lock is secured using two screws one at the top and one at the bottom of the lock. These screws are visible on the locking face of the door. Unscrewing these will allow you to remove the lock and forend plate. If you are removing a sashlock, you will also need to remove the handle.
Featuring five parallel levers that all need to be lined up by turning the key to allow the bolt stop to come across, it's an exceptionally difficult lock to pick. That's not to say that it can't be picked, as there are doubtless experienced locksmiths that have the required skill, but they're still highly secure.
They can be installed into wood, hollow metal and aluminum glass doors. Aluminum glass door mortise locks normally have pivot bolt deadbolts with a 1-3/8" throw. The multi-plate bolt swings up in order to secure the door, whereas wood and hollow metal mortise locks have direct projection deadbolts.
You can remove your existing mortise lock and replace it with an entirely new smart mortise lock. This can be quite expensive, and if you have to modify the size of the mortise, installing the lock can be a significant challenge.
Mortise locks can be replaced with standard cylinders. Mortise lock is the name given to the large, rectangular locks that fit into a slot, or "mortise" in the edge of the door. These locks were common at the turn of the twentieth century and are still in use today. The cylinder lock is the modern standard.
The lock body of a mortise cylinder is its greatest defining characteristic. The name mortise refers to a hole, or recess, which is designed to fit a corresponding piece. In the case of a mortise lock, this hole is cut into the side of the door to fit the mortise lock body.
Here are the most common ones: Tubular Mortice Latches – these are by far the most common. They have a sprung nib which is operated by turning a door knob or handle. They come in 'Standard' or 'Heavy' sprung versions.
There are two main types of mortice locks- sashlocks and deadlocks. Each operates in a different fashion. A sashlock includes a latch, which is operated with some form of key, and a bolt. These locks tend to be installed on back doors.
Both mortise and mortice are acceptable spellings of the same word in the UK and US. The term is based on the concept of carving out a space to form a strong link between the two pieces.