Mortice Lock Installation and Repair in Newcastle and North Tyneside
Mortice locks are the standard security lock for wooden doors - fitted into the body of the door itself rather than surface-mounted - and are the lock type required by most home insurers for external wooden doors. If your property has wooden external doors and they do not have a BS3621-approved mortice deadlock, there is a good chance your home insurance cover is conditional on fitting one. Moorside Locksmiths install, repair, and replace mortice locks across Newcastle and North Tyneside. Call us on 07968 567171.
TYPES OF MORTICE LOCK WE FIT AND REPAIR
Mortice deadlocks A deadlock has no spring latch - it is either locked (with the key) or not. It provides a solid, secure bolt that cannot be pushed back from the outside. BS3621 5-lever mortice deadlocks are the standard insurers require on external doors.
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Mortice sashlocks A sashlock combines a spring latch (operated by the handle) with a deadbolt (operated by the key). Common on back doors and side gates where you want the convenience of a handle alongside the security of a keyed deadbolt.
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Rim locks Surface-mounted rather than mortice, rim locks are common on older properties and are frequently the only security on a front door that was never upgraded. They provide minimal security. We replace outdated rim locks with proper mortice deadlocks regularly, particularly in older Newcastle properties.
BS3621 - WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT MATTERS
BS3621 is the British Standard for thief-resistant locks. It requires a minimum 5-lever mechanism, anti-saw bolts to resist cutting attacks, and a hardened steel insert to resist drilling. Most home insurers require external door locks to meet or exceed this standard.
Locks that do not meet it may render your insurance invalid in the event of a claim. We only fit BS3621-approved mortice locks on external doors. We carry them from Chubb, Yale, UNION, and ASSA.
COMMON REASONS TO CALL US
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Fitting a new mortice deadlock to bring a door up to insurance standard
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Replacing a failed or worn mortice lock
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Upgrading from a rim lock to a proper mortice deadlock
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Mortice lock that has seized, is stiff to operate, or no longer throws the bolt cleanly
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Lock damaged during an attempted break-in
WHY CHOOSE MOORSIDE LOCKSMITHS
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BS3621-approved mortice locks fitted as standard
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17 years of experience on wooden door locks across Newcastle and North Tyneside
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Locks carried as van stock - same-day fitting in most cases
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No call-out fee
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All costs agreed upfront• All work guaranteed
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Fully insured and DBS checked
FAQs
Does my wooden front door need a mortice lock?
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Most home insurers require a BS3621 5-lever mortice deadlock on external wooden doors. If your front door only has a Yale-style rim lock, you may not meet your insurer's requirements. Call us and we can assess your door.
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What is the difference between a 3-lever and 5-lever mortice lock?
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The levers are the internal mechanism the key engages with. A 5-lever lock provides significantly more resistance to picking and manipulation than a 3-lever. BS3621 requires a minimum of 5 levers on locks used for security purposes.
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My mortice lock is stiff and hard to turn. Can you fix it?
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Yes. Stiff mortice locks are usually worn internally or have debris in the mechanism. In many cases a new lock is the right solution - the cost difference between servicing a worn lock and fitting a new one is often marginal.
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Can you fit a mortice lock to my back door as well?
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Yes. We recommend a mortice deadlock or sashlock on all external wooden doors - back doors are a common point of entry in domestic burglaries.