A mortice lock sits in a pocket cut into the edge of the door, so only the forend, the keyhole and the handles show. Buried in solid timber, it is far harder to attack than a surface lock, and it is still the standard on most South African outside doors. This page explains 2, 3 and 5 lever mortice locks, sashlocks and deadlocks, case sizes, fitting and what a mortice lock costs. Send one free, no-obligation request and suppliers and locksmiths near you quote you directly.
How a mortice lock works and the types
Inside a lever lock, a row of flat levers must each be lifted to exactly the right height by the key before the bolt can move. More levers mean more key differences and better resistance to picking.
- 2 lever: for inside doors only.
- 3 lever mortice lock: common on older outside doors and back doors.
- 5 lever mortice lock: what insurers usually prefer on outside doors.
- Sashlock: a latch worked by the handle plus a key bolt, the usual front door lock.
- Deadlock: a key bolt only, used as a second lock. See deadbolts.
- Euro profile case: a mortice case that takes a cylinder lock instead of levers.
Choosing the right case size and lever count
When you replace a mortice lock, take the old one out and measure it: the case depth, the backset (door edge to the centre of the keyhole), the forend length and whether the forend is square or round ended. A new lock with the same measurements drops straight into the old pocket. Count the levers too: the number is usually stamped on the forend. If the door is outside, move up to 5 lever. Choose a brass or stainless forend at the coast, where steel parts rust.
Fitting, rekeying and common mistakes
Cutting a new mortice is careful chisel work; cut too wide and the stile is weakened. A lever lock can be rekeyed by changing the levers, but replacing the lock body is often quicker and similar in price, a point covered under lock replacement and rekeying. Common mistakes:
- Buying a 3 lever lock for a front door when the insurer asks for 5 lever.
- Fitting the keep loosely so the bolt doesn't fully throw.
- Oiling a lever lock, which gathers dust; use dry graphite.
Mortice lock prices and what to ask
Hardware stores list 3 and 4 lever mortice lock bodies from about R145 to R250 each, without handles. Five lever locks are a step up and usually priced on request, and handles are extra. Ask for the lever count, case size and number of keys. Ask a locksmith whether fitting covers cutting a new pocket and keep, and whether several locks can be supplied keyed alike.
What to include in your request
- Say the number of doors and which they are
- Measure the old case and the backset
- Say the lever count you want
- Say if you need handles too
- Ask whether the locks can be keyed alike
Mortice Locks for different clients
- Homeowners: 5 lever mortice locks on front and back doors and 2 lever locks on inside doors
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: mortice locks on unit doors that match the body corporate's handles and keys
- Offices, shops and practices: mortice sashlocks and deadlocks on office, storeroom and back doors of shops
- Landlords and letting agents: standard size mortice locks that are cheap to swap between tenants
- Factories, warehouses and workshops: heavy mortice deadlocks on timber store, office and plant room doors
- Farms and smallholdings: 5 lever locks on the farmhouse and 3 lever locks on stores and staff housing
- Schools, clinics, churches and hostels: mortice locks on classrooms, wards and offices, often with euro cylinders
- Builders, shopfitters and contractors: carpenters and builders fitting mortice locks to new timber doors on site
Frequently asked questions
3 lever or 5 lever mortice lock: which do I need?
How much does a mortice lock cost?
Can a mortice lock be rekeyed?
How long does it take to fit a mortice lock?
Mortice Locks by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg