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Mortice locks are one of the best ways of securing your property from unauthorised entry. Installed within the framework of doors and windows, their use is recommended by the police and security firms and often insisted upon by insurance companies. Local tradesmen are also keen to promote security within their districts, and will only supply mortice locks which comply with the British Standard 3621 (2004) or better.
The lock is so effective because it fits snugly into a pocket within the door frame and is guarded on either side by “strike plates”, which prevent the potential of the lock being drilled out. The lock can normally be opened from either side of the door (via an element known as the “Deadlock”)and contains standard size parts in the event that the lock becomes damaged or you wish to replace the lock after a move to a new home or in the event that you have mislaid your keys.
Mortice Locks can have between 2 to 7 internal levers – the more there are, the harder they are to pick – and it is recommended that external doors have locks with at least 5 levers, whilst 3 levers is the accepted number for internal doors. However, if you are a tenant, student or somebody living in a communal dwelling, it is also suggested that you have a minimum 5 lever mortice lock at the entrance to your rooms(s) even when there is one on the main entrance.
The correct fitting of a mortice lock requires skill and accuracy to ensure maximum security, as the lock has to perfectly match up with a strike plate inserted into the doorframe pocket. Although replacing an existing mortice lock may be a job that an experience DIY-er can perform, it is recommended that you employ the services of one of the highly rated tradesmen featured in our Tradesmen’s Directory for new installations.
uPVC doors, leading into your garden or on an external conservatory, can suffer damage if you attempt to fit a mortice lock after the doors have been supplied. Sometimes, this added security measure may in fact invalidate the guarantee from the supplier. If you feel that you need the additional protection of a mortice lock on an existing uPVC door, please use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page to alert a local tradesman to your problem and they will get back in touch.