Enhancing Home Security with High-Security Mortise Lock: Everything You Need to Know

Mortise locks have become the first choice of many. The name of the lock comes from the fact that the mortise, or pocket, that holds the bolt is cut into the inside of the door frame. When the bolt is in the slot and can’t be moved, the door is truly locked. 

These locks are complicated pieces of hardware that are attached to the door with set screws. To open the door, you need a key, and when you put the key in the lock, the latch opens. Before you can close the door again, you must open it by turning the key counterclockwise. 

The mortise lock primarily works in how the main and oblique tongs move. The latch bolt can open and close because the spring pushes it down and back up. Its only job is to provide short-term safety. 

As a hinge, the lock cylinder turns to lock the door. The main tongue can only open and close the door by turning the lock cylinder. If the lock core dial is not working, the straight tongue can’t move as the spring presses the lock plate against it.

It keeps the tongue straight in place. The dial of the lock cylinder is driven by lifting the lock plate and setting the teeth on the straight tongue plate. It makes the straight tongue stick out from the lock body, which opens the lock. The movement is backwards when closing. 

Components of a Mortise Lock

• The outside part of the mortise lockset is called the lock shell. It is made of galvanized steel, which makes it very sturdy. It protects the structure of the lock and does what it’s supposed to do. This part directly affects how long the door lock lasts. 

• A key part of the door lock is the lock cylinder, where the locking and opening action occurs. It determines how long the lock will last and how safe it is. It not only makes the door lock look better and easier to open, but it also has a useful use. 

• A “strike pad” is a metal piece inside the door frame hole. The shape of it makes room for the deadbolt, which keeps the door shut. Keys are made of copper, zinc, aluminum, iron, and other hard metals. 

• Each key is paired with a Mortise door lock. If this is done, the key will not change shape. They should be carefully made to stop people from copying keys even more.

Key Advantages of a Mortise Lock

Because they have many benefits, an entry mortise lockset is popular for businesses and homes. It is a great choice for anyone who wants to make their residence and offices safer and more secure. 

• Enhanced Security: They have strong security features; hence, they are helpful because they make things safer. Because it is so complicated, the lock system is harder to break into than other locks. 
• Higher Durability: These locks are known for being strong and lasting a long time. They are made to last and protect you for a long time. They are made of strong materials like steel and brass. 
• Aesthetic Appeal: These locks come in many styles and patterns, so homes and businesses can find the right ones to match their style. There are many stylish finishes for mortises, from standard brass to sleek satin nickel. They look great on any door. 
• Improved Versatility: These locks are useful for many door types, such as uPVC, metal, and wooden. Because they come in different sizes, they can be changed to fit different door thicknesses and shapes. 
• Better Functionality: These locks have useful components like deadbolts, latch bolts, and locked cylinders. They are easy to use and give you peace of mind because they are made to fit your unique security needs. 

Different Types of Mortise Locks

Based on Purpose 

Mortise locks can be divided into two groups based on their intended use: door and indoor. 

• Door lock: The door lock is also called an outside door lock, a safety lock, or an anti-theft lock. Its main place is at the front door, which acts as a wall between the inside and outside and can be damaged by theft, weather, and other things. 
• Indoor lock: The lock can be used as a door handle and a hitting bead inside the house. There is no reason to use this kind of lock for insurance. From dining rooms and kitchens to halls, and living rooms, it works well as a door lock in every room.

Based on Style

You can divide them into two groups: old-fashioned domestic and European-style domestic. 

• Old-fashioned domestic: People think locks with a metal padlock and a latch are too old-fashioned for homes. Most of the time, you can find this in an older building or home. 
• European-style domestic: The European way of making things at home differs from the old way because it only uses one part, the cylinder. Because the cylinder can do two things, this mortise lock is easier to install than the clumsy homemade ones of the past. It’s a better form of the old-fashioned home goods. Recently, it has become more famous in North America. 

Based to the Deadbolt

• Single deadbolt mortise door lock: Just what it sounds like, a mortise door with a single deadbolt is a door with a single lock. The main groups are “single lock” and “double lock,” which refer to the number of locks. It can be seen on the front doors of many places, like shops, movie theaters, hotels, and office buildings. 
• Single cam button mortise door lock: A single cam button mortise lock only needs one bolt with a rounded edge. You can use the handle to open the door from either side without a key because the lock cylinder is on the inside, and the handle is on the outside. It is usually used on the inside doors of homes and companies.
• Double-tongue mortise door lock: The double-tongue mortise door lock is the safest type of mortise lock on the market today. It has two deadbolts, a square tongue, and an angled tongue. You can lock it from the inside and the outside. It is useful for doors that are meant to keep thieves out. 

Based on the Mode of Operation

• Casement Lock: A casement lock is on the back of most doors and has a bolt and latch you can open with a key. 
• Deadlock: A deadlock comprises a night lock and a bolt that a key works. It is usually put on the front doors. 

Use Cases of a Mortise Lock 

Mortise locks are commonly used in homes, businesses, and factories because they are flexible, last a long time, and offer security. Let’s take a look at a few of the most important ways that mortise locks can be used: 

• Residential Doors: They are often used on the front doors of homes. They are not only useful and easy to use, but they also keep thieves out with confidence. These locks come in many different styles and colors, so people can find one that they like and that matches the style of their door. 
• Apartment buildings: They are often used on the front doors of units in apartment buildings. These locks help keep residents’ personal information safe and private. They also let building management monitor who comes and goes from shared areas like lobbies and stairwells. 
• Business Properties: They are often used in stores, restaurants, offices, and other business buildings. These locks add a layer of security to outdoor doors to protect valuable items and private information. Locks with keyless entry options like electronic keypads or card readers are also helpful for authorized people and workers. 
• Educational Institutions: Most of the time, these locks are used to keep classroom doors, administrative offices, and other areas of school buildings safe. These locks help keep students, teachers, and staff safe by blocking off possible ways to get into limited areas. They help people get out of the building quickly and easily in an emergency.

Conclusion

If it still needs clarification, a mortise lock has many benefits, such as being easy to install and low maintenance. It comes in many styles and can be used for basic and extraordinary tasks. Mortise locks are great because they have a strong, flexible, and stylish body. They’re great for any job that needs locks.

FAQs 

What are the main differences between a mortise lock and a deadbolt lock? 

The hole that mortise locks make in the door can be hidden, which makes them safer than deadbolts. And it is the major difference between the two locks. 

Is a mortise lock a safe option?

These locks are the safest hardware on the market today because they allow a bigger and thicker mortise box (which holds the lock mechanism) to fit inside the door. This is safer than cylinder locks, which need a mortise box that is thinner and smaller to fit in the same space. 

Can a mortise lock be changed into a regular lock? 

It is possible to switch out the mortise for a cylinder lock. You need to remove the mortise lock from the door to do this. Finally, you can put the cylinder lock into the hole made when you remove the mortise.