Mortice locks, often spelled mortise, are rectangular slots fitted to doors for high security and safety purposes in multiple domestic, commercial, and industrial settings. These durable locks fit within door pockets or edges, allowing easy door opening and locking options. The lock embeds into internal and external doors and provides added strength and a locking point in the door's centre with either cylindrical or traditional key lock options. Mortice door locks resist force opening and keep intruders from opening doors or gaining property access. Moreover, bespoke locks come with a variety of lever mechanisms that determine their strength and security. Additionally, they come in varied styles and designs depending on the requirements.
What is a Mortice Lock Set?
A mortise lockset consists of complete locking components that are suitable for replacing an older or broken door’s mortise lock. Depending on the lockset, they include knobs, keys, backplates, box locks, and other components for updating or renovating your interior door hardware. There is a vast array of different mortice lockset types in different designs, including:
- Vintage mortice lockset
- Solid brass mortice lockset
- Door lock set
How Do Mortice Locks Work?
Mortise locks feature different mechanisms and components for convenient locking and opening applications. They allow keyed locking or can be operated by thumb turning by withdrawing or extending the bolt. In short, mortice locks work by using/turning a lever connected to the door for opening.
Materials for Mortice Locks
Mortice locks are heavy-duty security locks with added strength and durability. They are constructed from metal and metal alloys for robust corrosion resistance. They are also available in different finishing materials, such as brass, chrome, and zinc alloys, where stainless steel is the most common.
Two Types of Mortice Locks
Mortise locks come in the following two types.
These locks provide added security and are fitted inside the door so it cannot be opened without a key. They are effective for securing the property from intruders or burglars by preventing them from breaking into your house, as they only work with key-turning locking mechanisms.
These locks are ideal for backdoors that lock doors (using deadbolts and handles) without locking them behind you. They also allow keyed locking and feature spring-loaded latches to keep doors closed while unlocked.
The Difference Between a Mortice Deadlock and a Mortice Sashlock
As mentioned, mortice deadlocks feature locking bolts and keyholes with simple designs. These locks require keys to open doors by going back and forth with a bolt and keyhole. Additionally, they are usually used in building entrance doors. On the other hand, mortice sashlocks do not require keys for opening and closing doors because they have handle-operated latch mechanisms.
Parts of a Typical Mortice Lock
A mortice lockset consists of certain parts, each offering specific functions, such as:
- Lock body: The lock body provides bolt work housing that includes locks' engaging and disengaging components.
- Lock cylinder: A threaded lock cylinder secures doors within a lock body for unlocking purposes. Upon key insertion, the lock cylinder allows easy unlocking. These cylinders also feature metallic rectangular and rotating cams for handles' latch retraction applications.
- Strike plate: A metallic fitting fastened onto doorways for lining mortice's components like latch bolts and deadbolts.
- Knobs/Handle: These components are used to retract the latch by turning them when the door is open.
- Through spindle: These are lengthy rods to join the knobs or handles across the mortice lock body and the door.
Choosing the Right Mortice Lock
There are various parameters to consider when selecting an appropriate mortice lock for your applications, such as:
- Mortice lock type
- Materials
- Style
- Size
- Locking Mechanism
- Door Types
- Door Thickness
- Door Frame
- Nature of Security
- Cost and Durability.
How Do You Install Mortice Locks?
Unlike common and simple key locks, mortice locks' installation is quite a complicated process requiring skilled expertise. However, easy-to-follow steps will ensure quick and convenient bespoke lock installation.
The installation requires much time and skilled expertise and includes precise marking over the required surfaces (doors) and drilling chisels and keyholes. Using an appropriate drill bit, drill a recess and make it the desired length for your required lock. Screw in the faceplate to complete the smooth installation. Finally, fit door handles and key plates by ensuring their alignment.
Sizes and Mortice Lock Handles Enrgtech is Offering
Mortise locks come in varied and common sizes, such as 5 lever mortise locks in 21/2" and 3". We also carry top collections of luxury door lock handles which come in different levers and differ from leading manufacturers, such as:
Enrgtech's Other Related Products
Enrgtech stocks extensive mortise locks and other locking solutions, such as:
Best Mortice Lock's Manufacturers in the UK
Various top-ranking manufacturers are available in the UK with top-rated mortice locks. Among the top manufacturers and suppliers are:
Safety and Maintenance Tips for Mortice Locks
Besides the versatility and security applications of mortice locks, certain things need to be fixed with bespoke locks. With consistent usage, the spindles or handles fall out of the doors and must be replaced. So, ensure to properly use the handles of the doors and fit the locks precisely. Other issues include problems with latch bolt retraction due to inappropriate key use. Furthermore, if the cam is damaged or broken, replace the cylinder. Some of the functional safety and maintenance tips for mortice locks include:
- Lubricate and clean your mortise locks properly.
- Use appropriate and compatible keys for operation for easy maintenance.
- Inspect the screws on the door and tighten the hinges if loose.
- Properly test the deadbolts and deadlatches.
- Avoid repeated over-stress and remove rust from the locks.
Where are Mortice Locks Used?
Mortice locks are widely used in internal and external doors to deter intruders from entering your home. They are also found in heavy-duty applications in:
- Residential and Commercial Buildings
- Educational Institutions
- Hospitals
- Industrial Settings
- Hotels
- Garages
- Clubs.
Furthermore, they are also specifically suited for commercial, industrial, and domestic environments, including:
- Door Mortice Locks & full mortise locksets
- Commercial Mortise Locks, and
- Industrial Mortice Locks, for safety and security reasons.
Why Choose Us?
Enrgtech is one of the UK's leading electrical and electronic product suppliers, having been in business for over sixteen years. We bring our potential customers the latest products with unique specifications from leading manufacturers at discounted prices. We guarantee the quality and precise application of all our products. Visit our website to explore different locks and similar products with quick delivery services.
