Mortise lock for steel doors: the device, types and installation

In today's market, you can find a large number of different door locks, each model of which has its own characteristics and differs in protection class. All these parameters are usually specified in the passport to the product, which should be initially studied with the purchase and installation.

Mortise locks for steel doors have a number of advantages, which are the main criteria for their selection. The main advantage of these devices is that they are divided into classes depending on their resistance to burglary,as a result, their cost is different, so everyone can choose the necessary structures according to their capabilities and needs.

The main benefits include the following:

• structural reliability;
• the presence of protective elements against hacking;
• durability;
• quality.

At present, locks are classified according to such security levels as:

• I - this is a simple device for mass production, which is not a big obstacle for thieves;
• II - it is more reliable and its hacking will take more time;
• III - these locks have a high degree of security;
• IV is the most reliable mechanism with a high level of protection, it is difficult to open it even with the help of special equipment.

In the market today, you can choose any door lock that comes with a handle, with a turntable, cylindrical, and so on.The most common are several species, each of which has its own characteristics, but has its own disadvantages.

• Suvaldnye. Currently, they are quite popular. Their name comes from the principle of the internal mechanism. The body is made of high-quality steel plates, and inside is a reliable locking system. In order for the mechanism to be opened, it is necessary to use special keys that have teeth that are able to line up the plates in a certain order, so it is difficult to pick up the master key for these types of locks. The key is a conventional rod, which is equipped with two plates. There are grooves on them that fit the plates inside the mechanism. Sold such locks with different classes of protection, and durability and reliability depends on the availability of armored plates and other points.

• Bolts. These devices belong to the first class of safety and are equipped with a simple mechanism, and also do not require adjustment or adjustment before use. The keys to them on two sides have grooves, due to which the device can work.The peculiarity lies in the fact that these types of locks can be equipped with handles, which makes it easier for the owner to enter the apartment, but also helps to get inside faster and to thieves. Such mechanisms are easy to crack using regular master keys.

• Cylinder. These designs come in different classes and types. The cheapest of them open with a regular pin, and more complex systems are difficult to open even with special master keys. The downside of these products is that they are usually not opened, but simply break out of the canvas. Such a lock from a blow falls into the room and provides access to the apartment. Therefore, such devices are not in demand.

• Electronic. If necessary, you can use an electromagnetic or electronic lock, which increases the protection class, but at the same time connecting and installing it requires certain skills and knowledge. Also, when connecting these types of locks, you will need to connect the room to a centralized security system, which not everyone can do. A special feature is the fact that in the absence of external power supply the lock will not work.

Mortise lock for a metal door can be of various types. The most common are cylinder locks, which have several types of mechanisms in their line.

• Single row pin. In essence, these devices are coded pins, which are made of quality material. Inside are the plates of the correct form with notches turnkey.
• Double row pin. Inside there are also pins, of which there is a larger number than in the previous version. To open them, special double-sided keys are used.
• Special. A special feature is the presence of conical milling on the key, and from 2 to 4 rows of pins can be located inside the mechanism. All of them are placed at different levels, which allows to improve the security system of the lock and complicates the selection of ready-made options for opening.
• Cross shaped. In these designs, the notches are arranged in the shape of a cross and the key of the same shape.
• Disk (Finnish). These are relatively inexpensive devices that can be used for installation in doors of any type. They have a long service life.

When buying it is important to carefully read the information that is presented in the passport to the product, choosing it depending on the features, functionality and characteristics for the iron door. It is important to take into account the size of the canvas, the rating of the manufacturer of the locks, because today there are many models from Chinese and domestic manufacturers. If necessary, you can choose locks in the gate, which will provide additional security and protection against intruders. For quality products must be attached certificate. All first-class products are not certified, but when you buy them, you should also examine and check the functionality.

Today, buyers are offered three types of locks. All of them have differences in methods of fastening and reliability.

• Mortise. These locks are used for metal entrance doors or from an array, which have a plane inside to accommodate the structure.Locks are quite popular, but require certain skills to be installed.
• Overhead. They have a special shape and are mounted on the canvas with screws from the outside.
• Hinged. These are separate parts in the door construction, so you can simply open them.

As you can see, the most reliable locks that are in demand among consumers and can be installed in metal doors are mortise designs. If necessary, they can be further strengthened with metal plates located on opposite sides of the door leaf. It is important to choose such plates with a thickness of at least 4 mm in order to reliably protect the locking mechanisms from breaking. When choosing it is recommended to pay attention to such moments as:

• select the security class of the lock;
• determine its value, which will help calculate their capabilities;
• select a device with different functions depending on the installation location.

And also it is initially important to understand whether the purchased mechanism will be put on this or that door, since some canvases do not involve the installation of a mortise lock, therefore, they need only install overhead mechanisms.It is not recommended to save on the purchase, since it is the castle that will protect your home from thieves. Therefore, such savings can turn against the owner of the apartment, and a cheap lock will not stop the burglar. When choosing, it is recommended to ask the vendor for product documentation, where the compliance of mechanisms with all standards and requirements will be indicated. The certificate provides information on the class of their reliability. And also it is worth paying attention to the manufacturer, choosing only those models that are in demand.

Currently, there are secret locks, characterized by a complex structure and having an increased degree of protection. Their main difference is that the locking system and the connector for the key have an unusual shape, so it is difficult to choose a master key for them. All parts in the locks are made of wear-resistant alloys, are durable and reliable. Such a lock belongs to the line of mechanisms with a high degree of protection, therefore it has more than a billion combinations that make it almost impossible to crack and select a master key. Such locks are recommended to be purchased and installed in appropriate premises.where a high level of protection is required. It is not always advisable to install such locks in an ordinary apartment, since they are quite expensive. The peculiarity of such a lock is that the internal mechanisms are resistant to acid, therefore, they can withstand various degrees of external negative impact.

Regardless of whether a mortise type lock is used for a steel door or for entrance doors of other materials, its installation or replacement is carried out according to certain rules. And also it will be necessary to prepare the tools and perform such actions as:

• buy a lock;
• determine the place of its installation;
• do the work.

When installing the mortise lock, you will need tools such as:

• ruler;
• pencil;
• gon;
• drill;
• Bulgarian;
• hammer;
• chisel;
• screwdriver.

This stage is the most important and responsible, so it must be done, accurately performing measurements, which will affect the quality of the installation of the lock and its durability.Initially, you need to choose the right place to install the lock. Experts recommend mounting it at a height of 1–1.5 m from the floor. But everyone can choose this option individually, depending on the characteristics of a room and the front door to it. It is also important to install a lock on the panel construction opposite the beam located in the middle of the canvas, which will help strengthen the door structure and increase the reliability of the lock.

The calculation should be done by applying pencil lines on the end of the door leaf. Further, on both sides of the canvas it is necessary to mark the holes for the handles and the connector for the key. With the help of a ruler, the size of the lock itself is determined, and then these parameters are transferred to the door leaf and the necessary holes are drilled in it. If it is a steel door, then the manufacturer assumes that there is space for installation, and also recommends choosing for this purpose certain types of locks that fit the parameters and sizes.

After that, it takes a little effort when using the tools. They will need to cut holes that were previously marked on the canvas.To do this, you can use drills or grinders, if it is a metal sheet. The connector received during the work must tightly enter the case of the mechanism. Further, the works are performed as follows:

• a lock is inserted;
• fastened with screws;
• pads and handles are installed

After these events, you can set a striker plate. The connectors on its surface must coincide with the projections on the lock itself. And it is attached to the door leaf with screws. After completing the work, you must check the functionality of the lock and turn the key or knobs several times. At the same time, the latches on the lock should not touch the bar. If necessary, it can be adjusted.

As you can see, the choice and installation of the lock under the steel door is a rather laborious and responsible process, so a specialist should be involved in such work, who will produce it or give the necessary advice. And also it is necessary to take into account all the criteria when choosing a lock - the type of door, the type of room, the purpose of using the lock and other moments that only a trained person is familiar with.It is necessary to take into account burglary resistance and the class of the lock; therefore, without the necessary qualifications and skills, it is better to refuse to carry out such works. The guaranteed result can be obtained only with the help of proper preliminary manipulations and preparation.

For information on how to properly install the mortise lock in the metal door, see the following video.