What are cylindrical locks?

Cylindrical locks are the most common locks in both residential and commercial buildings. These locks are installed by making a circular hole in the door and typically use only 2-3 screws to keep it in place. There are two main types of cylindrical locks but both are installed very similarly. First type are the door knob or door handle locks that locks by the latch going inside the striker plate on the door frame. The latch is short and often times it can be pushed opened by using a credit card and sliding it in the space between the latch and the striker plate. The second type of cylindrical lock is the deadbolt lock. Deadbolt is a thick circular metal that’s typically 1.5-2 inches long and goes inside the striker plate at a much deeper length than the latch lock. This is why deadbolt locks are impossible to be pushed open and extremely hard to break off from the door when it’s locked.

What are mortise locks?

Mortise locks are one of the oldest locks that have been widely used especially in the mid 1900s. A mortise lock has a deadbolt and latch lock that are both integrated into the lock’s metal body. Mortise locks are built very tough and they are convenient because turning the level will release both the deadbolt as well as the latch of the lock so you do not have to unlock two separate locks. These locks are also made to resist a great deal of abuse especially due to high usage and this is why mortise locks are more common in commercial buildings where hundreds of people go in and out of the building. Mortise lock requires a “pocket” to be cut inside the door and the lock that’s usually 3.5 – 5.5 inches in length is fitted into that pocket.

Are mortise locks more secure than cylindrical locks?

Mortise locks are more secure and durable than cylindrical locks due to their interior components and construction. Cylindrical locks are either latch locks or deadbolt locks so having only one of them type will give you much less security than a mortise lock. This is because mortise locks are two in one lock so when you lock it both the latch and the deadbolt portion of the lock is active. In a mortise lock you can unlock both the latch and deadbolt locks by turning only one lever, but in cylindrical locks you have to lock and unlock the deadbolt and the latch separately. Overall we can comfortably state that mortise locks are more sturdy and secure than cylindrical locks.

Are mortise locks easier to install compared to cylindrical locks?

The straightforward answer to this question is no mortise locks are not easier to install compared to cylindrical locks. This is because all it takes to install a cylindrical is a round hole in the door which is a standard on almost all doors at a hardware store. Cylindrical locks can be installed on hollow wood doors, heavy duty wood doors, and even metal doors. Mortise locks on the other hand work best on metal doors and heavy duty wooden doors because it has to have a solid pocket to properly fit inside. Hollow wooden doors are not a good fit for mortise locks because the lock will not be held in place strongly therefore it can be broken out of place easier. It also takes much longer time to install mortise locks because the door must have a pocket cut on the side perfectly in order for the lock to fit there and not be loose. Since most door do not come with precut for mortise locks you will most likely have to hire a locksmith technician to make fresh cuts on the door in order to upgrade your lock into a mortise lock.

Are mortise locks more expensive than cylindrical locks?

Mortise lock is a two in one lock that contains high quality and durable materials and therefore it is more expensive than cylindrical locks. Depending on the type of mortise lock you are wanting to purchase it can be 2-7 times more expensive than cylindrical locks. However you should definitely take into consideration the higher security and how mortise locks are made to last a very long time into consideration when you are deciding. Buying a lock once and not having to worry about it for 20-30 years might be a better choice for you rather than a lock that you will have to replace every 5-7 years. The great thing is that you have many options when it comes to choosing the right lock for your home or business.