So, Mortise locks then

[agent006]

My front door currently has a weedy (but rather nice) 3 lever mortise lock. I'm quite fond of it really, but my insurance company is rather more hostile. They're big fans of BS approved 5 lever locks it would seem.

So, i'll need to change it. Questions thereof:

Are mortise locks a standard size (i.e. will any lock fit my door and line up with all the holes)
Is 5 as good as it gets, or can i get something better (7? 26?)
Is there any brand to go for (yale spring to mind, but that could just be badge engineering)
Am i the only one desperate to spell it mortice?

Any tips etc most welcome.

[robinhood21]

Take the three lever out and along to a locksmiths to see if they have a five lever that will match.

[agent006]

robinhood21 said:

Take the three lever out and along to a locksmiths to see if they have a five lever that will match.

I imagine my insurance company would object even more to my flat having no lock at all for a few hours.

[Simpo Two]

Or change your insurance company? But they might all have the same demand.

I don't know if they're all the same size, but your chances might increase if you could find the same make.

[spyschim]

as you say your a "rock & roll carpenter" you must know the answer but if not 5 lever locks are insurance approved yale and chub give a guarantee others do but in my experiance insurance co's like a name that office bods know .
most locks are interchangable but the only thing is the depth of keyhole from edge of door measure that and any diy store has a big choice of locks ! good luck

[agent006]

spyschim said:

as you say your a "rock & roll carpenter" you must know the answer

My name is also really Shelvis Presley, obviously.

[Simpo Two]

agent006 said:

spyschim said:

as you say your a "rock & roll carpenter" you must know the answer

My name is also really Shelvis Presley, obviously.

Do you know the 'rock & roll fisherman', Cliff Pilchard?

[agent006]

No personally, but i believe he's a customer of my brother Hovis Presley's Jazz Bakery.

[condor]

I just bought a new 5 lever mortice lock today....cost £10.99
There's supposed to be 2 different types.....if you measure from the centre of the existing keyhole to the edge of the door, and it's 450mm then it's a 63, 65, 67 type mortice lock you need.
Since mine is....didn't bother making any note of 'what if it wasn't'.

I did some pre-measurements....and it's not spot on...but close, so wood fill in the holes, redrill...and hope for the best
Keep £100 in cash in case you have to call out the locksmith to make good your cock-up

HTH

[rich0411]

Yes you can get a 7 Lever but = Money and not as common..

You definatley want a BS approved, most insurance companies will ask for a 5 Lever now. I always use ERA, deadlock or sashlocks are around the £16 ish mark depending on what you have

[VxDuncan]

Just fitted a couple. IMO as long as it's to BS 3621 then it will satisfy the insurance company and provide the level of security demanded by the British standard (it should be marked with a BS kitemark). Paying any extra for the premium brands might get you slightly thicker plating, but it's debateable. You're more likely paying for fancy packaging. If you want to spend more then your cash would be better put toward secondary security - rack bolts, a nightlatch or a london bar. I used ERA BS sashlocks which came with a decent template for locating the keyhole and handle - a blessing when you come to fit!

You might find that the plate that recieves the bolt needs to be rebated into the doorframe slightly further as the bolts tend to be longer. All in all a fairly simple job to fit though.

[agent006]

Thanks all.