When it comes to securing your property, understanding the components of your door locks is essential. Among these components, mortises play a critical role in ensuring both security and functionality. Whether you're dealing with sliding doors or swing doors, knowing the basics of mortises can help you make informed decisions for your home or business. This FAQ-style article aims to clarify the fundamentals of sliding and swing door mortises, providing straightforward and informative insights into their types, uses, and installation. 

Additionally, this article is designed to assist interested buyers looking to transition to smart door locks by demystifying the various technical terms, as well as to cater to anyone seeking general knowledge on the subject.

Understanding the Basics

To grasp the full scope of door mortises, it's important to start with the fundamentals. A mortise lock is a locking mechanism that is recessed into the edge of a door. Unlike surface-mounted locks, mortise locks are embedded within the door, offering enhanced security and a sleek, unobtrusive appearance. These locks are a popular choice for both residential and commercial properties due to their strength and durability.

Mortise locks come in various types, designed to suit different door styles and security needs. The installation process, although requiring precise measurements and cutting, ensures that the lock fits seamlessly into the door, providing a clean and professional look. Whether you're installing a lock on a sliding door or a swing door, understanding these basics will help you appreciate the benefits and intricacies of mortise locks.

What is a Mortise?

A mortise refers to the rectangular cavity cut into a door, into which a mortise lock is fitted. This type of lock is embedded within the door itself, offering enhanced security and a seamless appearance.

Types of Mortises

Full Mortise: This involves cutting a complete cavity into the door edge, accommodating the lock body entirely within the door.

Partial Mortise: Only part of the lock body is embedded, with some components exposed on the door surface.

Common Uses

Mortises that come with smart door locks are widely used in both residential and commercial settings for their durability and high-security features. They are commonly found in entry doors, office doors, and internal security doors.

Sliding Door Mortises

Characteristics

Sliding door mortises are specifically designed for doors that slide open rather than swing. These mortises often feature unique locking mechanisms to accommodate the sliding motion. Sliding door smart door locks are often used in different applications but most common in patio doors and office conference rooms. One prominent feature of a sliding mortise is the two (2) clips which are not found in a swing mortise. 

Installation Process

Measurement: Accurate measurement of the door and mortise lock is essential. A necessary submission of the size inquiry form takes place to ensure a seamless product recommendation and installation process.

Cutting the Mortise: Using a router or chisel, a cavity is cut into the door to house the lock.

Fitting the Lock: The mortise lock is inserted into the cavity and secured with screws.

Testing: The door is tested to ensure smooth sliding and proper locking.

Commonly Asked Questions

What sizes of sliding mortise locks are available?

There are several types and sizes of sliding mortise locks, in The Connected Shop, there are only two (2) available sizes which are the 28-85mm (22x270mm) and the 35-85mm (22x270mm). These mortise sizes are perfect for narrow and thinly designed sliding doors. 

Can I install a sliding mortise lock myself?

While it is possible to install a sliding mortise lock yourself if you have the necessary tools and skills, it is often recommended to hire a professional locksmith to ensure proper installation and functionality.

What materials are sliding mortise locks made from?

Sliding mortise locks are typically made from durable materials such as stainless steel, brass, or zinc alloy, which provide strength and resistance to tampering.

Are sliding mortise locks suitable for all types of sliding doors?

Sliding mortise locks can be used on a variety of sliding doors, including patio doors, closet doors, and room dividers. However, it is important to choose a lock that is compatible with the specific type and thickness of your door.

Swing Door Mortises

Characteristics

Swing door mortises are designed for doors that open on hinges. These mortises are known for their robust locking mechanisms and ability to handle heavy use. Smart door locks are commonly known to work best with swing door mortises since they are a popular choice in the market. 

Installation Process

Submission of size inquiry form is required before all the installation process takes place. 

Door Preparation: The door edge is measured and marked for the mortise.

Cutting the Mortise: A router or chisel is used to create a cavity in the door.

Installing the Lock: The mortise lock is fitted into the cavity, ensuring alignment with the strike plate on the door frame.

Finishing Touches: The lock is secured with screws, and the door is tested for smooth operation.

Commonly Asked Questions

How does a swing mortise lock work?

A swing mortise lock operates by engaging a latch or deadbolt into a strike plate mounted on the door frame. When the door is closed and the lock is engaged, the latch or bolt extends into the strike plate, securing the door.

How do I determine the correct size and backset for a swing mortise lock?

To determine the correct size and backset for a swing mortise lock, measure the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the lock cylinder (backset) and the height and width of the lock body that fits into the door mortise. Ensure these measurements match the specifications of the lock you intend to purchase to avoid compatibility issues. You can learn more about the different smart door lock jargon in this recently published article. 

What are the advantages of using a multi-point mortise lock on a swing door?

Multi-point mortise locks secure the door at multiple points along its height, typically at the top, middle, and bottom. This provides enhanced security by distributing the locking force, making it more difficult to force the door open. It also improves the door’s structural integrity and resistance to warping.

How does the installation of a mortise lock affect the door's structural integrity, and what steps can be taken to mitigate any negative impacts?

Installing a mortise lock requires cutting into the door, which can potentially weaken its structural integrity. To mitigate this, ensure the door is of adequate thickness and made from solid or reinforced materials. Properly align and securely fit the lock to distribute the stress evenly and prevent damage over time.

Additional Information On Multi-Point Mortise

What is a Multi-Point Mortise Lock?

A multi-point mortise lock is an advanced locking system that secures a door at multiple points along its frame, typically at the top, middle, and bottom. This type of lock is embedded within the door, providing enhanced security and structural stability compared to single-point locks.

How Does a Multi-Point Mortise Lock Work?

When the door is closed and the lock is engaged, the multi-point mortise lock extends multiple bolts or hooks into corresponding strike plates mounted on the door frame. This multi-point engagement distributes the locking force across several points, making it much harder for intruders to force the door open. Multi-point smart door locks provide robust security compared to single point smart door locks and many sophisticated industries prefer this type of mortise lock. 

Customer Case Study: Choosing Between Swing and Sliding Mortises for Various Properties

Customer Background

Jess and Bell are business partners who own multiple properties, including a rental apartment complex, an office building, and their own home. They were looking to upgrade the security and functionality of their doors and reached out for professional advice on whether to choose the right smart door lock with either the swing or sliding mortises for each type of property.

Initial Inquiry

Jess and Bell contacted The Connected Shop and its team looking for a smart door lock solutions for their properties with the following requirements: 

• Enhanced security for all properties
• Ease of use for tenants and office employees
• Aesthetic appeal that matches each property’s design
• Durability and low maintenance
• Remote Management 
• Multiple Lock/Unlock features

Rental Property

Features: Standard swing doors for all apartments.

Security Concern: High turnover of tenants necessitates robust smart door lock design and easily configured keyless entry (passcode and keyfobs)

Aesthetic Requirement: Modern look to attract prospective tenants.

Office Building

Features: Both swing and sliding doors in different sections.

Security Concern: High-value equipment and sensitive information require strong security.

Aesthetic Requirement: Professional and sleek appearance.

Personal Home

Features: Combination of swing doors for main entrances and sliding doors for patios.

Security Concern: Top priority for family safety and easy access control (remote management)

Aesthetic Requirement: Blend with the home’s contemporary design.

Consultation and Recommendations

After an initial assessment, the Tech Team of The Connected Shop provided the following recommendations:

Rental Apartment Complex:

Swing Mortises: Recommended for the main apartment doors due to their high security and compatibility with standard swing doors. Multi-point mortise locks were suggested for enhanced security, along with smart lock features for ease of tenant access and management.

Office Building:

Swing Mortises for Office Doors: For standard office doors, smart door locks with swing mortises with electronic access control were recommended. This allows employees to use key cards or biometric entry, enhancing both security and convenience.

Sliding Mortises for Conference Rooms: Sliding smart door locks were suggested for conference rooms and internal sliding doors. These locks provide a sleek look and easy access while maintaining security.

Swing Mortises for Main Entrances: High-security swing mortises with smart home integration were recommended for the main entrance doors. This ensures robust security and convenient access control via smartphone.

Sliding Mortises for Patio Doors: For the patio and backyard entrances, sliding mortises with additional smart lock capabilities were suggested. This allows seamless access to outdoor spaces while maintaining high security.

Implementation

The installation process was seamless, facilitated by the expertise of professional locksmiths who ensured minimal disruption to tenants and office operations. The tech team maintained excellent communication with Jess and Bell throughout the process, addressing all their requests and tailoring solutions to their needs and preferences. The result was a significant enhancement in security, convenience, and aesthetic appeal across all properties. Tenants appreciated the modern look and ease of access, property management found remote access control convenient, and employees in the office building enjoyed the user-friendly electronic access. This case highlights the importance of professional installation, effective communication, and tailored solutions in meeting specific security and aesthetic needs.

Conclusion

Understanding sliding and swing door mortises is crucial for ensuring the security and functionality of your doors. Whether you're a homeowner or a business, knowing the basics of these components can help you choose the right lock for your needs. By demystifying terms like full mortise and partial mortise, this FAQ aims to empower you with the knowledge needed to make confident decisions about your door security. Furthermore, the case study not only highlights the value of professional expertise and personalized service but also demonstrates the real-life applications of swing and sliding mortises in diverse settings. By investing time in understanding the technology and terminology, property owners can make decisions that significantly improve security and usability, ultimately leading to greater peace of mind and satisfaction.