Mortice Lock Installation

High-Security Mortice Locks

Mortice locks (often called deadlocks or sashlocks) are recessed directly into the edge of a wooden door. They are the standard for high security on traditional timber front and back doors. Because the lock sits inside the wood, it provides excellent resistance against brute force attacks.

The BS3621 Standard

If you look at your home insurance policy, it almost certainly states that your final exit door must be fitted with a lock conforming to British Standard 3621 (BS3621).

• 5 Levers or More: Provides thousands of key combinations, preventing picking.
• Anti-Drill Plates: Hardened plates protect the locking mechanism from being drilled out.
• 20mm Bolt Throw: The bolt must extend at least 20mm into the keep for maximum strength.
• Kitemark: You can verify it by looking for the BSI Kitemark stamped onto the faceplate of the lock.

Fresh Installations & Upgrades

Bluesaki Locksmiths can perform "fresh installations" – this means carving a new pocket into a wooden door to fit a mortice lock where none existed before, vastly improving your home's security.

If you already have a mortice lock but it only has 2 or 3 levers (common on internal doors but inadequate for external ones), we can upgrade the pocket and install a robust 5-lever BS3621 deadlock.

Sashlocks vs Deadlocks

• Deadlocks: Have only a square bolt that is operated by a key. Usually used alongside a nightlatch higher up the door.
• Sashlocks: Incorporate a latch (operated by a handle) as well as the key-operated bolt. Common on back doors.