Mortice locks are commonly found in wooden doors in homes and commercial properties alike, particularly those with a bit of history. Whether your existing lock has worn out or you simply want to upgrade for better security, fitting a new mortice lock or replacing an old one is a manageable task with the right tools and a little patience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to replace a mortice sash lock or deadlock, ensuring a smooth and secure result.

What’s the difference between a mortice sash lock and a deadlock?

The two are very similar, however a sash lock adds one piece of extra functionality - it also incorporates the latch mechanism of a standard door handle. This gives you a choice when making your mortice lock purchase - if there’s already a handle in the door that you’re happy with, you can simply follow the steps to install a deadlock below (or above, if that works better for you) the existing handle.

To make it easy:

Deadlock

Choosing the right lock can feel like a minefield - especially when faced with unfamiliar terms like "mortice" or "Euro cylinder." Whether you're looking to upgrade your home security or replacing a faulty lock, it's important to understand what each type of lock does and when to use it.

Here’s a clear and simple guide to four of the most common household locks, covering their use cases, strengths, and where they’re most effective. We’ve also included whether we think you can install the lock yourself, or need to speak to a professional - as much as we love DIY, there are definitely some times when it’s good to know your limits. 

Best for: uPVC and composite doors

Commonly found on: Front and back doors in modern homes

Euro cylinder locks are among the most widely used locks in the UK, especially on uPVC doors. They sit inside a multi-point locking mechanism and are operated

Replacing the latch on your door might be needed for a couple of reasons. You might be changing it to match the colour of your new handle, or the old one might have broken. The handle action relies on a spring for connection, and after a lot of usage the connection between the action and the spring has been known to snap, leaving you with a useless handle and a door that won’t open. 

For a standard door latch this isn’t too complex, but you should have these tools to hand:

• Ruler or tape measure
• Pencil
• Sharp chisel
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Drill

The main issues you are likely to encounter are that the plate which sits around the latch may be bigger than the previous one, and that the mechanism for the latch might not have the hole for the spindle in exactly the same place. If it’s only a few millimetres out, you can use the drill to gently expand the hole. If there’s a large difference, you need to ensure the expansion will be covered by your new handle.

Are you bored of your kitchen, but worried about cost and on a budget? Don’t worry, we have it all covered in this blog!

There are plenty of cost-effective ways to update your kitchen. From replacing your cupboard doors to upgrading the hinges and handles, you can breathe new life into your space.

Here are some tips on how to update your kitchen on a budget using simple DIY-friendly upgrades that won’t break the bank.

If you think about the way your kitchen is built, it’s more than likely that thing you see the most is cupboard doors. The actual skeleton of the kitchen is often not that visible, with the doors providing most of the visual style. If your cabinets are in good condition there’s no need to remove them entirely - just swap out the doors for something more modern or stylish. Happy Doors, for example, have a wide range of doors available.

Why change your kitchen cupboard doors?

• Instantly