Home Security Spotlight

Locks

The effectiveness and security of a door depends upon the design and quality of the locks used to make it secure, how many are used and how well they are installed.

Mortice Lock

A mortice lock is recommended for strong security because it is installed inside the timber of the door. A slot is cut from the door and the lock is inserted into the wood where it becomes part of the structure of the door. Holes are cut through the door to allow the handles to be fixed and the keys to be inserted to operate the lock. A metal rebate plate is fixed into the door frame to reinforce the point where the mortice bolt engages with the frame. A mortice lock is typically installed just above mid height in the door.

Mortice locks are a genuine deterrent to the burglar and a good quality five lever mortice lock is oftenrequired as a condition of insurance. (BS 3621) There are various qualities of mortice locks which differ considerable in strength, number of different key combinations and price depending upon security requirements

Two and three lever locks provide a cheaper solution where security against break-in is less of a consideration e.g. for use with internal doors, and non-keyed mortice locks are available for use with, for example,  bathroom doors.

Sashlocks incorporate a conventional door latch in addition to the lock, holding the door closed when it is unlocked. Mortice locks and mortice sashlocks are supplied with rebate plates for the jamb, the sashlocks including a striking plate to prevent the latch from causing damage.

Check the depth available (particularly on windowed and panelled doors) and the door thickness when choosing your lock, as both doors and locks vary greatly. A wide lock fitted to a rather thin door will be inherently weak because a large proportion of the wood will be removed in fitting. Cylinder mortice locks are useful where door space is at a premium, as the mechanism is rather more compact. They are also simpler to exchange and require a smaller key. Importantly, they are also available with an internal thumbturn opening mechanism which provides for easy opening from the inside in case of fire.

Night Latches (Rim Locks)

A night latch is convenient because it allows the door to be easily locked and only needs a small key. Unlike a mortice lock, which must be locked  with a key, a night latch locks by itself when you close the door. The problem with a night latch is its inherent weakness due to its fitting. It screws to the surface of the door and offers poor protection against a strong blow.

Bolts

Fitting bolts to the inside of the door at the top and bottom of the door provide additional security. One drawback with bolts is that they can only be used from the inside, which means that they can only be used when you are in the house - the time when the house is a lot less likely to be the target of burglars. However, they undoubtably make a door more secure and give the householder a greater feeling of security.

 

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