Door stile meaning
Door Stile

Unless you have a flat panel door, it’s important to know how wide the stile is. The stile is the vertical timber that runs down each side of the door (as indicated in the photo). If the stile is more than 110mm, you would normally choose a 57-60mm backset lock or latch. If it’s less than 90mm, you’d choose a 44-46mm backset lock or latch. If it’s between 90mm and 110mm, you can choose either. If you’re using knobs though, the deeper backset is better (you’re less likely to knock your knuckles on the door jamb), whilst if your door is glazed, you might like to choose the narrower backset as you won’t be going as close to the glass when you’re creating the hole for the lock or latch. Don’t forget to always bear in mind that, ideally, your handles will be as close to the centre of the stile as possible!

Rebated door detail
Rebated French Doors

French (or double) doors are very often rebated. This means that you have two single doors that have had a section of timber either removed from (or added to) the edge of the doors which allows them to interlock when used as a pair. This has the effect of eliminating the gap that would otherwise be between the doors. When using a lock or latch with rebated French doors, it is necessary to buy one with a rebated faceplate and striker. If your French doors are not rebated, they may have a mushroom stop which is a ‘T’ section of timber which is added to the edge of the active door. This has the effect of covering the gap between the doors when they’re closed. If your doors have a mushroom stop, you only need a lock or latch with a standard faceplate and striker.

Choosing the right lock or latch for your door

As locks and latches can be a little confusing, here's a helpful guide to ensure you choose the right one for your door.

3 Lever Mortice Locks

These are low security locks normally used on internal doors. They have reversible tongues and are supplied with 2 skeleton keys which is considered more traditional for period homes. They are available with a rebated face and strike plate for use on rebated French doors and come in 2 different backsets - 44mm and 57mm. They are suitable for use with any of our door furniture labelled with ‘Lock’ in the description and can be supplied keyed-alike.

5 Lever Mortice Locks

These are high security locks normally used on external doors. They are supplied with 2 skeleton keys which is considered more traditional for period homes. They have reversible tongues, reinforced steel pins in the locking bolt and a pick-proof curtain. They are available with a rebated face and strike plate for use on rebated French doors and come in 2 different backsets - 46mm and 57mm. They are suitable for use with any of our door furniture labelled with ‘Lock’ in the description and can be supplied keyed-alike.

85mm Euro Mortice Locks

These are high security locks normally used on external doors. They have reversible tongues and reinforced steel pins in the locking bolt. They require the use of a Euro Cylinder. They are available with a rebated face and strike plate for use on rebated French doors and come in 2 different backsets - 45mm and 60mm. They are suitable for use with any of our door furniture with E85 in the product code.

Box & Rim Locks

Box & Rim Locks are low security locks that are fixed to the face of the door. They operate on inward opening doors only and are not suitable for use on rebated doors. They require the use of mortice knobs with a threaded spindle to allow the knob to be secured by grub screws to the spindle as you can’t attach a knob on a backplate to the surface of a Rim Lock with screws. An Escutcheon is also required to go around the keyhole on the other side of the door (please note that an escutcheon is supplied with some of our rim locks).

Euro Cylinders

Euro Cylinders are required when using a Euro Mortice Lock. They come in different lengths to suit a variety of door thicknesses and are available in a key/key version or key/thumb turn.  A Dual Function Euro Cylinder means a key can be left in the cylinder on the inside and still allow a key to be inserted to operate the lock from the outside.
Please note, that use of a key/key version qualifies as a deadlock, whereas a key/thumb turn does not.

Euro Mortice Locks

These are high security locks normally used on external doors. They have reversible tongues and reinforced steel pins in the locking bolt. They require the use of a Euro Cylinder. They are available with a rebated face and strike plate for use on rebated French doors and come in 2 different backsets - 46mm and 57mm. They are suitable for use with any of our door furniture with a product code that finishes in the letter ‘E’.

Euro Roller Mortice Locks

These are high security locks that are used in conjunction with a pull handle on external doors. They have an adjustable roller. They require the use of a Euro Cylinder and a pair of Escutcheons. They are available with a rebated face and strike plate for use on rebated French doors and come in 2 different backsets - 45mm and 60mm.

Privacy Bolts & Turns

Privacy Bolts & Turns are used when you want to lock a door for privacy purposes, for example, in a bathroom. The turns have a safety feature that allows the door to be unlocked from the outside by putting a knife or screwdriver into the slot. Privacy bolts are available in 3 different backsets - 45mm, 60mm and 70mm.

Privacy Mortice Locks

Privacy Mortice Locks are used when you want to lock a door for privacy purposes, for example, in a bathroom. They require the use of a Privacy Turn or Adaptor which has a thumb turn on one side and a safety release on the other. They have reversible tongues and are available in 2 different backsets - 44mm and 57mm. They are suitable for use with any of our door furniture with a product code that finishes in the letter ‘P’.

Tube Latches

Tube latches are used to make your door handles functional when you don't need the door to lock. Separate rebate kits are available for use on rebated French doors. They come in 3 different backsets - 45mm, 60mm and 70mm.