What is a Mortise Lock?

There are two main types of locks that are used on residential locations. These types are a tubular lock set and a mortise lock set. To those outside of the locksmith industry it could be hard to differentiate which lock should be used in which situation. Fortunately we at Phila-Locksmith are here to break down exactly what a mortise lock is and what advantages it has. Mortise lock sets are commonly seen in both a commercial and residential setting and can be a healthy addition to the security of your home or business. Mortise locks can be operated with both a cylinder or a lever. Typically on a home in the United States a door cylinder is used to give it a more traditional look.

How does it work?

Mortise lock sets are difficult for the average homeowner to install by themselves without professional help. Rather than drilled like a normal tubular lock with a single hole through the door. A pocket or “mortise” needs to be drilled into the side of the door frame using specialized equipment. The reason a mortise lock needs to be installed like this is that the lock is a combination of both a deadbolt and traditional lever or knob. A mortise pocket also allows for the lock to hold a heavier return spring which is what gives a mortise lock added security benefits over traditional tubular locks.

What are the benefits of a Mortise lock?

The main benefit to installing a mortise lock is the increase level of security that it offers. By putting both the deadbolt and knob locks into the same lock set higher security is easily achieved. This is because of the heavier return spring that we mentioned above which makes the lock much more difficult to pick or break into. Any residential or commercial location that is looking to upgrade its exterior security without spending a large sum of cash then the mortise lock may be a great choice for you.

Mortise locks will likely increase in popularity as time goes on, simply because of their added security benefit and the amount of durability it offers. There are also a wide range of types of mortise locks which you would be able to select from for your home or business.