What is a Mortise Lock?
A mortise lock is a lock fitted in a mortise (a hole cut in a door) and thus helping in the opening and closing the door. In most places, mortise locks are found in older buildings which were constructed before the bored cylindrical locks were invented. However, most people still use mortise locks and are even regarded as better locks even with the invention of the cylindrical locks. Why? Let’s take a look as to why these locks are regarded to be better.
Why mortise locks are considered better than the cylindrical locks?
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Mortise Locks Are More Durable
Mortise locks are more durable than the cylindrical locks. Grade one mortise locks can meet one million cycles where the cylindrical meet only eight hundred thousand cycles of extensive abuse tests. With the test, it signifies that the mortise locks are much better than the cylindrical locks in terms of durability. This is mainly facilitated by the inside metal case found in mortise lock which protects the locking mechanisms from damage.
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Mortise Locks Have A Better Locking Functionality
Mortise locks have more locking functionality which allows them to work for more standard functions as well as for additional deadbolts, indicators, and other options. Comparing this with the cylindrical locks you will see that a mortise lock provides more locking functionalities than its cylindrical counterpart. One good example to demonstrate this is seen in the Schlage locks. Schlage mortise locks provide over 49 locking functions while the cylindrical locks provide about 29 functions.
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Design Flexibility
Mortise locks provide more design capabilities which makes them more aesthetically pleasing. Howard Safe and Lock Co, are able to produce amazing design styles from these locks for use in high-end construction projects.
If you are not yet convinced as to why you should get a mortise lock, then think about the maintenance. Mortise locks require little maintenance and is easy to repair. Speaking of maintenance and repair, it is important for us to take a look on how to install and repair a mortise lock.
Installing Mortise Lock
We installed mortise lock easily using the basic tools and woodwork knowledge. Most of the Mortise lock installation is done by cutting a pocket in the door frame. Although installing mortise lock weakens the door, a mortise lock is still better than the cylindrical lock both in durability and functionality.
Mortise Lock Repair And Maintenance
The first step is to loosen the screws holding the mortise lock on one of the knobs. Remove the square knob shaft. Do the same to the opposite knob and get the knob shaft from the lock. Undo the screws on the decorative door knob plates and remove the decorative plate.
Check the lock for damages. You should check for the screws which are usually mounted to the door’s edge. Remove the screws and examine lock. Then the press lock gently against the edge of the plate to remove it. If covered with paint you can use a heat gun to heat the paint and scrape it off using a putty knife.
Once you have removed the mortise, place the lock on a table with the cover plate of the lock being on the top. Examine the operation of the lock ensuring it is smooth by putting the knob shaft on the hole of the lock.
Blow the dust out and lubricate the lock. Examine the working of the lock and do any replacements of faulty parts. One of the parts that happen to be very faulty are the springs and you doing a mortise lock spring replacement is necessary if your springs are not in good condition. You can also replace the cover plate and now watch whether your lock is functioning as supposed.
You can now reinstall the lock in the mortise. Make sure to tighten the screws on the decorative plates and reinserting the doorknobs just as they were before the repair.
For more professional help and any further assistance on how to replace mortise lock, make sure you approach a professional mortise lock repair company such as the Mortise Lock Install & Repair Houston TX. They will help you get your mortise lock repaired or replaced.
