Front Door Lock Questions
Hi, We are replacing an ugly modern door on our brownstone with an antique one — my question is about the lock. The carpenter thought a slam lock, installed on the inside was a good idea. With a door knob or handle on the front. There are still the prints though on the front for…
Hi, We are replacing an ugly modern door on our brownstone with an antique one — my question is about the lock. The carpenter thought a slam lock, installed on the inside was a good idea. With a door knob or handle on the front. There are still the prints though on the front for what I think the carpenter is calling the “mortar” lock? The traditional lock with a plate/lock on one door (they are double doors) and a handle on the other. I think it would be better to replace this original lock? The problem is the door is 2.5 inches thick, and we can’t find a lock at home depot or local hardware to fit a door that thick. Where can we go? Thanks!
I went to Pintchik’s. They had a modern keyed mortise entry set for $75.
It is a “Marks”, not an Emtek. It’s the same one as here:
http://www.lockandhinge.com/scripts/main.cgi?action=big&product=91A&refer=go&gclid=CNmgj_KlgqECFRBx5QodtHWJZg
It took a little work to get it installed, because the mortise in my door was smaller, and of course I had to enlarge the key hole from a skeleton to cylinder lock sizes, but it required minimal tools and the entire operation took me about four hours for two sets of doors. It’s also compatible with the electric door strike I already had in my frame.
You also don’t get much choice in styles. It’s just a plain brass plate with a plain brass knob. But that’s what was there before, it matches the house just fine, and it is a big improvement security-wise from the slam locks that had hitherto been playing that role.
Check with Mayflower Sales on Bergen St. They are suppliers to the trade but I think they retail (I am in business but they have never asked me for my tax number). You may wish to go in there knowing what you want as they don’t have a showroom. They do have a website. They have many different brands of traditional looking, modern locksets and they will have the extension packs as well. Someone else mentioned Baldwin – a top of the line brand, Mayflower carries their product.
A lot of people in Brooklyn are installing a lock called Emtek. I think they look great, but my regular locksmith has derided them a little as an import. So far I have heard no complaints. Pintchik Hardware on Flatbush carries their locks (though i don’t know for how much longer, they are going back to paint). If you call Emtek, they will tell who their other suppliers are in the area (there is one on McDonald Ave).
Steve
If that thing is cut for a mortise, any carpenter should be able to fill that with a block. He should fit it snug and glue it. Then you can bore it and put a modern lock in – and most decent lock manufacturers have extension kits for thick doors – but you have to go to a real locksmith for that – not a hardware store or big box chain store.
steve
http://www.thetinkerswagon.com
I already have an antique door, but it is complete with an antique mortise lock.
I would like someone to replace this with a secure, modern lock with an electric door strike.
Can anyone recommend a craftsman with whom they’ve had a good experience in this situation?
Look at the Baldwin displays at Simons. I used handlesets dot com to order Baldwin at a significant discount and great service.
My standard door door is 2.25″ thick. Right now we are reproducing a 3″ thick door. Never a problem with a mortice lock. The spindle, cylinder, and thumb turn lengths need to be specified when the set is ordered. The lock cylinder depth is dependent on the thickness of the backplate or escutcheon. If you like Baldwin locks, I recommend John at precisiondoors.com.
Get a Cremone set. Pretty & utilitarian.
http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com
Lots of beautiful hardware and they accomodate up to 3″ doors.
Also, if this is a double-door setup this will complicate things further. You will need to install flush bolts on the inactive door if they are already not there. In the case of a double and the need for remote release consider ordering an electrified lock rather than a strike on the inactive leaf. It looks a lot better and you don’t have to hack up the door as much to fit the strike.