Mortise vs. Tubular - Mortise worth it?

10 years ago

Hello all, We are in final stages of large renovations. Finally decided on exterior doors and now just need to choose hardware. A local shop sells Emtek, which we would like to use. I understand generally the difference between mortise and tubular but I can't figure out if the Mortise is that much more security, or other features that justifies the additional cost. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Featured Answer

renovator8

10 years ago

The choice is rarely a security issue but one of longevity and function. The return spring of a mortise set will last far longer than a cylindrical set (avoiding a sagging lever handle) and there are more locking/latching functions as well as handle types available in a mortise set.

Normally an unauthorized person would not choose to enter a house through the front door if a rear window or door is accessible.

Comments (6)

brickeyee
10 years ago
Ahhh...locks.

This post was edited by brickeyee on Wed, Jun 5, 13 at 13:49
User
10 years ago
The mortise is supposed to be stronger. It will be much more expensive.

My experience is the strength of a locking system is more dependent on the framing around the door(into which the deadbolt engages) than the construction of the door hardware.

Adding a 2" wide by 1/8" thick iron strap which is screwed into both the door frame and the rough opening stud(cutting a hole for the deadbolt) creates a locking system that requires destroying the door to breach.

Here is a link that might be useful: Differences
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brickeyee
10 years ago
The weak point is normally the door stile attachment to the rest of the door structure.

The large cutout for a mortise lock does NOT help, ad increase the leverage available to simply split the stile from the door rails.

You can armor up the strike side as much as you want, but unless you get a decent strength metal door (and not the ones with the sheet metal face) the door is going to simply split.

A metal door in a metal jamb in a masonry opening is about as good as it gets.

Especially if the jamb is then grouted to have no clearance to the wall structure it is in.

Without the grouting the jamb can be spring wider and the door opened.

In wood frame structures all the screws (hinge and lock strike) need to be long enough to reach into solid framing by a few inches (screw lengths quickly get up to 3 to 4 inches).

Just keep in mind that windows are often an easier target.
geoffrey_b
10 years ago
"Without the grouting the jamb can be spring wider and the door opened. "

Some criminals use bumper jacks or hydrolic jacks - just push the jam apart.

Locks only deter honest people.
brickeyee
10 years ago
"Some criminals use bumper jacks or hydrolic jacks - just push the jam apart. "

That is why you go back and grout the metal jamb into the masonry wall.

It is NOT going to spring with any jack.