Inserting a lock into an interior door. Installing locks on interior doors How to install a door lock on an interior door

Inserting a lock into an interior door is not a difficult task, requiring training in special courses. We will tell you everything in detail.

It is enough to have basic carpentry skills around the house and basic knowledge about mortising a lock.

Choosing a castle

The installation begins with the purchase of a lock, which is to be installed in the existing door leaf. When choosing, the owner must determine which model will best suit the purpose and design of the room. There are models in which the lock part and handles require separate installation. There are also latch and deadbolt locks that are designed for bathrooms (a flag indicates whether the room is occupied).

Helpful information:

Structure of an interior door

The “key” side of the canvas must be marked at the factory with a special stamp with the image of a key.

Tools

Inserting a lock will require the use of a set of tools: a hammer, a 16 mm chisel (a set of chisels is possible), a drill or cordless screwdriver with a chuck, a D4 mm drill, a D 20 mm pen drill (a set of drills), if you purchased a latch lock, then it is most convenient to use a crown D 50 mm for selection for handle springs.

Installing a lock on an interior door

It is more convenient to carry out the insertion when the canvas is already hung - it is easier to mark the location of the strike plate and drill at the required angle. So we do it, and then step by step:


When the lock is inserted, the handles are put on the turning rod, we begin securing the lock. It is necessary to drill holes for the screws and tighten them carefully so as not to distort the lock. The fastening of the handle is determined by the lock manufacturer, most often it is a small bolt that attracts the handle to the square rod.

Installing a latch lock on an interior door

A latch lock is no more difficult to install than others.

By turning the handles, we check the proper operation; if it sticks, we check the freedom of the springs; perhaps the selection for the springs of the handles is not deep enough.

Attaching decorative lock linings

Before installing handles in some lock designs, it is necessary to install decorative trims separately under the handles and under the keyhole. The overlays are attached to decorative screws that match the color of the overlays. Sometimes, instead of screws, studs are used that pass through the door leaf and the lock mechanism.

When installing such a structure, special care will be required; you need to drill holes of a certain diameter, hold the nut during installation and at the same time screw in the stud. Decorative linings of the cylindrical lock fit onto special stops and are fixed on them.

Installing the strike plate on the box

After installing the lock mechanism in the interior door, it is necessary to install a counter metal strip, which is sometimes called a escutcheon, on the frame.

  • When closing the door, mark the height of the lock tongue on the door frame.
  • Use a feather drill or chisel to select wood so that the tongue or latch fits freely into the hole and holds the door in the closed position.
  • Then a counter plate is placed on the hole and a sample is marked for recessing it into the door frame. There is no need to deepen the plank too much or install it with a protrusion, it will look sloppy.
  • The overlay is secured with screws; it is advisable to fill the gaps with special sealants.

When it is necessary to embed a lock into a door made of MDF panels, you need to be especially careful not to shift the place where the lock is inserted in height, because the wooden beam is located in a strictly defined place - at a height of 95 mm from the bottom of the panel.

Installing a lock with a router

The use of a plunge-cut (vertical) milling cutter for inserting a lock is possible not only in the factory workshop; it is quite acceptable to use a manual milling cutter “on site”, that is, at the installation site.

To work, lay the canvas on its side, with the lock side up, and securely fasten it. Marking the castle begins with determining the center of its placement. Using a square, boundary lines are marked at the end of the canvas. Masking tape will help you maintain boundaries more accurately.

The hole for the lock mechanism is selected with a cutter that provides a recess (immersion) of 10 cm. The hole runs the entire width of the lock without crossing the boundaries. To cut under the lock bar, you will need another cutter, because you only need to go deeper by 3-4 mm.

The strike plate is installed in the same way as described earlier, using a chisel or a drill with a drill bit.

With any installation method, you need to understand that you should finally secure the lock only when you are sure that it is working properly! It happens that the lock has to be removed and the hole adjusted several times. You should not try to drive the lock.

We hope your new lock will work smoothly and smoothly!

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The simplest solution to inserting a secure lock is to mortise it. Overhead elements look very bulky and are sometimes unreliable during long-term use. Inserting a door lock yourself is easy. How to do this and adjust the smoothness of closing/opening is discussed in detail in this article.

The most commonly used lock is a cylinder mechanism with round handles and a latch. This may also be a variant of an L-shaped base. Execution occurs in several variations - with or without a locking device. The first case involves closing the door leaf only in one direction: opening it with the handle on the other side will be impossible.

Devices without locking are designed so that the door can be closed tightly with a latch and protect the room space from possible drafts, odors or noise from other rooms. In this case, the locking mechanism can be selected without closing it with a key.

Locking mechanisms with different shapes and designs of locks are built into the main handle (levers, buttons). You can choose any variety according to the configuration.

When choosing a model for an interior door, proceed from the following positions:

  • if the door needs to be installed in an office, then the key cylinder should be on both sides;
  • if you plan to select an option for a bedroom, toilet or shower room, then the devices must contain an internal blocker;
  • It is best to equip children's rooms with expensive magnetic options;
  • the kitchen, living room and other utility rooms are equipped with the most primitive devices with ordinary handles and latches.

In any version, the devices must be mortise. The thickness of the fittings is usually taken into account. A feature of standard doors is the unequal thickness of the leaf. There are options with a thickness of 35 mm, and there are 45 mm. For such models, appropriate fittings are selected so that it does not turn out that the lock does not match the thickness of the door.

Magnetic locks are equipped with a movable positively charged core (bolt). It starts functioning when the door is closed. In this position, it turns out to be located opposite a negatively charged magnet strip, which is embedded in the door frame. Due to this effect, the bolt is tightly tightened with a bar and fixes the door.

This is a great option for slamming the door tightly. To open such a door later, it is enough to turn the handle, which plays the function of disconnecting the door using magnets. A kind of unlocking of the structure occurs. After opening the door, the crossbar is not exposed to the force of the multipolar magnets. Therefore, he takes the starting position silently and quickly.

Attention

For sliding interior doors, locking devices with special elements are used. They are cut into the canvas and at the same time the rotary handles and the bar on the box are attached. The difference is in the existing hook-shaped latch.

Preparing tools

For insertion you will need the following tools:

  • chisel;
  • drill with drills of suitable size;
  • a drill bit with a size of at least 22 mm;
  • wood cutter with a diameter suitable for insertion, but not less than 50 mm;
  • screwdrivers of different configurations and diameters;
  • hammer;
  • measuring tools (ruler, tape measure and square);
  • lead pencil or washable marker.

An electric drill is needed to drill holes for fasteners and to work with a cutter or (when using a different material) with a feather drill. A cutter is needed to make recesses that will decorate the handle linings, and a drill is needed to drill holes.

How to correctly calculate a notch on a wooden surface?

First, make marks of the selected height on the door, measuring with a tape measure. The mark is placed at the end and transferred using a square or level to all sides of the door leaf. Step by step steps:

  1. The lock is applied to the end of the door so that its middle is on the drawn line. The width of the metal locking part is marked, and the level of the end of the lining is recorded.
  2. The feather drill is placed on that part of the mechanism that is intended for inserting the door leaf. A mark is made on the drill with a marker or masking tape. It should be slightly higher than the location of the castle itself. Thanks to these marks, you can make a reference for the depth of the flowing element. This is important when it is installed against glass.
  3. Several holes are made one after another after installing the feather drill. A notch should be formed. The number of holes depends on the size of the mechanism. Sometimes 4–6 is enough, and sometimes 8 is not enough: you even have to drill out all 10.
  4. To even out the edges, remove all excess with a chisel.
  5. Using a drill, the edges of the hole are aligned by passing the drill up and down. It is lightly pressed, first on one side, then on the other.
  6. A lock is inserted into the resulting hole. Since it is always slightly larger in volume than the product itself, no problems arise. But there are times when it still won’t fit in, then a chisel will help.
  7. Self-tapping screws secure the mechanism exactly in relation to the edges.
  8. The lock pad is traced around the perimeter with a pencil or a stationery knife. The lock is removed, the base is trimmed with a chisel by 1–2 mm.

The depth of the recess for the locking part depends on the thickness of the decorative strip. The evenness of the strip and the level of the door end is the most convenient case.

How to quickly and accurately install a magnetic latch yourself?

  1. First you need to make markings. It is best to install locking elements at a height of 90–110 cm from the floor. A mark is made on the door end with a pencil. The constipation niche will be located here. Designs with a handle require choosing a location from the front side.
  2. Using a drill in the marked places, a through hole is made for a square rod.
  3. At the end, a small sample is made for the front plate of the lock. Only after this is a niche made for the locking mechanism. Its dimensions must match.
  4. Marks are made at the attachment points with a pencil.
  5. The lock is placed in a niche.
  6. At the fixing points of the locking device, fastening is carried out at the end of the door leaf.

Installing a door lock yourself

We embed the lock with our own hands by drilling the door leaf under the hole and handle. From the end part you need to cut out a part of the canvas and insert a locking mechanism into the resulting recess.

Attention

Installing a door lock is a rather labor-intensive process. A lot of time is spent on work.

You need to follow the sequence of actions to complete everything clearly and quickly:

  1. The location of future constipation is marked with a pencil. Its approximate location is calculated from the parameters 0.95–1.05 m from the floor.
  2. The boundary for the grooves is marked according to the previously measured parameters of the internal mechanism.
  3. You need to drill the corners of the rectangular groove. Thanks to these holes, bolt threads can be accurately measured.
  4. Install the locking mechanism into the sawn groove and mark the position of the fastening screws.

    It is important not to forget to mark the position of the door handles and the hole for the well. They are cut to the appropriate diameter.

  5. The boundaries of the holes are cleaned with a nozzle mounted on a drill.
  6. The entire necessary structure is assembled inside the groove: a lock is installed, fasteners, door handles and a well are fixed.
  7. After assembly, the mechanism is checked for closing and opening to avoid distortion.
  8. The final stage is the installation of the mortise device, installation of the strike plate. If the armored lining acts as a patch, then it is installed on top of the lock from the end part of the door leaf.

Fitting a lock into an interior door is a labor-intensive job. But it’s easier to do it if you follow the steps.

Video on the topic

Can you imagine ordinary doors without a handle? It would seem like such a simple design, but in fact it is a very important attribute. Installing a door handle on an interior door is a task that consumers face when purchasing and installing a new door leaf. It is quite possible to solve the problem on your own. It is only important not to make a mistake with the choice of design.

Types of Door Handles

There are various types of handles that are different from each other in color, shape, material, mechanism and installation method. If we take the last feature as the basis for the classification, then there are two types of pens:

  1. Invoices.
  2. Mortise.

Installation of first class products is simple and does not cause any serious trouble. They are simply fixed to the surface of the canvas, unlike other types of products. Installation of mortise handles involves pre-drilling a hole in the door leaf.

Mortise devices are divided, in turn, into two more types:

When purchasing accessories, pay special attention to the raw materials it is made from. Products can be made of metal, wood, glass or natural stone. They should be selected according to the color and model of the canvas, as well as the style of the interior.


Hidden handles can be installed for sliding systems

It is worth noting that the handles are of a hidden type. They are designed for sliding systems such as sliding doors. When the sashes move, the products do not interfere or damage wallpaper or walls.

Installation height

At what height to mount the handle is not clearly stated anywhere. Behind the scenes, it is installed in products made from MDF and timber at a distance of one meter from the floor covering. It can be lowered or raised a little - it all depends on the taste of the owner of the living space.


The installation height of the door handle is approximately 1 m

The installation height of the product is affected by the height of the residents. As practice shows, a handle at a distance of 1 m is the best option for adults and children. When installing, also take into account the level of the handles on other doors. Products must be at the same height.

Required Tools

To install the handle, arm yourself with tools, without which it will not be easy to do this:

  • a simple pencil;
  • square;
  • roulette;
  • chisel;
  • screwdriver;
  • drill;
  • drill;
  • crown.

The crown and screwdriver can be replaced with other available tools, but the quality of the work will suffer and it will take a lot of time.

Before starting installation, read the instructions for the product. It indicates all the dimensions, which will help you choose the right drill bit and crown according to the radius.

Step-by-step installation instructions

If you have not encountered a similar question before, do not be afraid. Even those who are not involved in construction can handle the installation of the handle. You just need to follow the detailed diagram step by step.

Marking the canvas

Installation of the handle begins with markings on the doors

Marking is where the whole process begins. Having calculated at what height the handle will be located, place marks on the door in the places where the holes will be made.

Use a simple pencil, a tape measure and a corner and draw a horizontal line on the flat surface of the canvas. Then transfer it to the end and opposite side of the sash.

Place a mark on the end of the product in the center of the drawn line. It points to the place intended for the recess under the tongue. From the edge of the door at a distance of 0.6 cm, draw a point on both surfaces of the door. This place is intended for the handle.

Drilling holes for handle and lock

It doesn’t matter at all in what order you make the holes: first for the handle, and then for the lock, or vice versa. Just remember that things don’t like to be rushed.

For the handle, the opening is drilled with a drill and a crown. To make it smooth and neat, you need to drill from the inside and outside of the door to a depth equal to ½ the thickness of the leaf.

For greater accuracy, craftsmen advise marking this depth on the crown with a felt-tip pen. By adhering to this rule, you will definitely not damage the product. To ensure a straight hole, keep the drill straight and do not allow it to deviate to either side.


When drilling a hole for the handle, the drill must be held level

To install a latch into an interior door with your own hands, arm yourself with a drill and a pen. In this case, you need to be extremely careful, since the gap between the pen drill and the end angle is small.

Lock installation

The mechanism must be inserted into the hole drilled under it. Press the overlay to the end of the product and outline it with a pencil on all sides.


Then use a chisel to clear the top layer of the canvas and make a depression the size of the thickness of the overlay. This is done in order to press it into the doors.


The cover is fixed with screws. Recesses for them are made even before the fastening is carried out.


The lining is fixed with self-tapping screws

Handle insert

Products with screws located outward do not require disassembly. When installing one component of the structure in place, you must try to get into the latch hole with 2 guides equipped with threads for bolts.


Door handle installation diagram

After this, the second component of the device is inserted and tightened with bolts. Screwing must be done evenly in order for the handle to function properly.

Products with hidden screws must be disassembled. There will be instructions and a special key to help you. The handle can be removed without problems by pressing the stopper with a key. The handle is installed in place after the collapsible part is bolted.

Marking the loot

After installing the handle, make a recess in the tray for the tongue. To do this you need to take the measurements correctly. Precisely executed markings guarantee good operation of the lock and the door itself.

To make marks, cover the canvas and mark the distance from the top to the bottom of the tongue on the loot. Use a square to find the middle of the castle and put a “cross” in the loot. At the marking site, we will drill a recess with tools and get rid of excess material with a chisel.

Cutting a groove in the loot

Before screwing the cover, watch how the canvas closes. If there is no friction or other problems, this means that the groove for the tongue was made correctly.

Close the door and try to tug it slightly. If it wobbles, then this indicates the presence of a slight backlash. Don't be alarmed, this is normal. When a counter plate is added to the groove, everything will fall into place.

The answer is attached flush with the loot. Just like when installing a lock, it should be sunk into the hole.


The strike plate is attached flush with the loot

Sometimes, after installing the trim, the play does not disappear and the doors continue to wobble. This defect can be corrected by using a screwdriver to bend the tab with a small hole on the answer.

Caring for door hardware

In order for a thing to last for many years, it needs to be looked after. It's the same with fittings. Over the years, it ages and wears out, which negatively affects the product as a whole. To slow down this process, do not forget to take care of the fittings.

To care for your hands you need:

  • Wipe them from dust with water and special cleaning products. Avoid products that contain acids, alkalis or abrasive particles. They can damage the outer coating of the product, leading to rust. After washing, the product should be wiped with a dry cloth.
  • Tighten the loose handle. If this is not done, the mechanism will break.
  • Protect the product from rough mechanical influences.

In addition to the handle, the door lock also needs your attention. Basic care in this case means regular lubrication of the mechanism with special means.. Sometimes sunflower or other vegetable oil is used as a replacement.

Considering that many parts of the mechanism are not easy to reach, a special nozzle in the form of a thin tube is used for lubrication. Often, for these purposes, the cover is removed or the handle is dismantled.

To lubricate hard-to-reach areas of the handle, use a tube nozzle.

Thus, having studied the basic intricacies of installing the handle, you are able to master this task without outside help. The main thing is to believe in yourself, and then the reward in the form of a well-installed pen will not be long in coming.

Your task is to insert a lock into the door. If you decide that the door is interior, keep in mind that you should not install bulky locks with linings. We will look at the most familiar type of lock with a handle and a latch and how to correctly and quickly install a lock on an interior door. Being completely ready to work, we move on to the implementation recommendations.

When designing a doorway, you should pay attention to the choice of fittings. Fittings are a significant factor that guarantees the strength and durability of furniture. Its choice should be approached very carefully and attentively, not forgetting about the quality of all details.

The complete set of accessories consists of:

  1. A lock with a latch/handle is the type of locks we are used to. For sliding doors, a locking mechanism in the form of a simple hook is often used, which clings to a reciprocal tongue built into the doorway.
  2. Hinges - seem to be standard equipment, but when selecting them yourself, focus your attention on ordinary book hinges.
  3. Closers (used for sliding doors) - designed to create a device that allows for quiet, noise-free operation of sliding doors.
  4. Stoppers (used for sliding doors) are parts that provide fixation of sliding doors in any location.
  5. Rollers (used for sliding doors) are the most significant parts of the sliding design of sliding doors, with the help of which the door leaf moves. You should know that the most durable casters are made from aluminum.
  6. Sliding handles (used for sliding doors) - usually attached to the inside of the door base. When choosing, do not forget that the handles do not cling to each other and do not interfere with the sashes.

To resolve the issue of inserting a lock into an interior door, the following materials and tools must be present. Measuring tape - in the process of work there will be quite a considerable number of measurements. A manual milling cutter for inserting locks is a device used by specialists to guarantee more reliable quality accuracy in the selection of mounting recesses. It will help not damage the wooden door. It is an optional tool; without a hand router, you can use a simple hammer and chisel. A hammer and writing utensil for making marks - a simple pencil is best to avoid leaving marks.

A screwdriver or screwdriver - Phillips or flathead, depending on the screws provided with the lock.

Crowns for cutting round holes - select the size based on the size of the lock you are going to insert. Chisels of various widths for cutting out recesses for the lock bar and drill.

Installing a lock on an interior door: preparation

Before you begin assembling and installing the lock, you should decide on the procedure and their purpose.

All complete work includes the following processes:

  • Analysis of such a problem as the position of the door in its set form - on which side the hinges are located, on which side the lock is located;
  • Determining the location of the castle;
  • Cutting a hole on the door base for the lock;
  • Inserting a locking structure;
  • Formation of the lock strike plate;
  • Handle/latch introduction;
  • Lock installation.

Having everything you need for work and assigning tasks, you can begin development!

Step-by-step instructions for installing a lock on an interior door with your own hands

Let's begin forming the locking mechanism for the interior door and perform the following operations. To more reliably install a lock and handle/latch on an interior door, it is necessary to determine the location of the finished door. You should consider which side the hinges are on and which side the lock will be located on. It is better to place the door against the wall near the opening and visually resolve this issue.

Typically, locks and handles intended for doors made of MDF are placed at a distance of 90-100 cm from the bottom border of the door base, since it is at this height that the door structure is designed to place a wooden beam to place the lock. We measure the required size. Having designated a place, fix it on the plane and at the end of the door. There will be a recess for the lock here.

When determining, do not forget that the location of the door handle should be convenient for everyone's use.

Using a tape measure, measure the gap from the visible edge of the lock device to the eyelet, where the pin will be placed causing the structure to operate. We mark the resulting value at the designated height, fixing exactly the same distance from the edge of the door. Now you should select the necessary bit to use the drill.

When selecting this part, be sure that it is the right size so that the lock structure can be placed in the hole itself without difficulty and the door leaf is not damaged: the diameter must be suitable for the thickness of the lock, the depth of the hole must be suitable for the length of the structure itself - this is necessary for the correct operation of the handle/ latches. Next, place the bit on a drill with a drill bit and make a hole. It is safer to make a hole in two stages: drilling from both sides alternately.

When working with a drill, do not forget about ensuring personal safety!

We place the lock on the prepared marking and mark the recess for its decorative strip - we outline its visible part along the perimeter, then remove the lock from the recess. We cut out the pocket using a hand router, or, if one is not available, with a hammer and chisel. It is necessary to knock out the recess, taking into account the clear immersion of the outer plate into it. Having positioned the chisel vertically relative to the end of the door, we make nicks all over the bottom. The chisel should be used extremely carefully so as not to make an extremely strong notch and spoil the end of the door.

Irreversible result: inserting a handle into an interior door

At this stage, nothing can be returned to its previous form or remade; you just need to finish the work you started.

There remain two final and most important processes:

  • Insert handle/latch;
  • Insert the response lock;

The intended work must be carried out clearly, following the instructions and using the necessary caution, which will ensure a satisfactory result and durability of the locking mechanism. If you need to insert a lock into a sliding door, you will need a special type of lock with a hook-like bolt. Handles for sliding doors are not anything special and are connected to the profile mechanism of the door leaves, which looks like a protrusion on them. The required tools and the work ahead are analogous to the process of inserting conventional door locks into interior doors, taking into account the needs of your type and size of the lock structure.

How to install a latch on an interior door yourself

When designing the counter part of the lock, turn the lock of the interior door in the closed state and place a mark on the doorway at the location of the lock tongue. Drill a hole to the depth of the latch exit. Remove the remaining material with a chisel and secure the striker with self-tapping screws.

A quality mortise lock or latch can only be installed with the right approach. It is necessary to make a plunge only after all measurements and calculations. It is better to cut holes for the lock using a drill attachment such as a crown. The insertion of hinges can be done both before and after insertion of the lock. But it is better to carry out work on a removed door.

When taking measurements during work, do not rely on your own eye - it is better to be sure of absolute accuracy than to make a ridiculous mistake.

How to put a lock on an interior door (video)

Inserting a lock into an interior door is an additional interior detail and an important condition of life. When performing this process, keep in mind that any action can only be performed once! Do not forget that when working you should be as careful and vigilant as possible.

This article is a step-by-step instruction on how to embed a lock into interior doors with your own hands. Here, ZAMSERVICE specialists share their skills and experience, describe the installation process in detail, and also give personal recommendations regarding the choice of a locking system. By following their advice, you can easily install the lock yourself.

If you bought an interior door without a lock or the old mechanism has expired, then it’s time to familiarize yourself with the nuances of installing a new product. The ease of installation directly depends on the modification of the selected device. The easiest way to mount latch handles is by carefully cutting out a hole of the required diameter, while locks with cylinders, rotary latches and handles require a more complex installation process.

For what reasons may you need to mortise the lock yourself?

Interior doors are installed in every apartment or house. They competently divide space, serve as protection against unauthorized entry, drafts, extraneous noise, etc. The door leaves themselves are not complete without a reliable locking mechanism. Many door manufacturers do not provide them with built-in locks.

If you bought an interior door without a locking system, then you can install it yourself. The main thing is to approach this issue responsibly, not to rush, to act carefully and consistently.

Another reason to cut the lock into the door yourself is if the old device breaks down. This can happen due to the expiration of the operational life, due to improper use of the lock, ignoring preventive measures, as well as due to mechanical damage to the structure.

In some cases, inserting a lock with a cylinder allows you to avoid large-scale repairs in the future, since replacing the cylinder is much easier and cheaper than completely changing the locking structure. Replacing the core will also be appropriate in cases where keys are stuck in the keyhole, as well as if they are lost or stolen.

How to choose a lock for interior doors

Before you install a lock on your interior doors, you need to purchase one. The design should be chosen based on the parameters of the door leaf; in particular, it is worth taking measurements first. If the width of the vertical bar of the door is less than 4 cm, then mortizing the lock is not only a pointless exercise, but also practically impossible.

In this case, door latches are more suitable, as they are quite easy to install and are the easiest way to lock doors. In addition, the choice of such designs is more than diverse. The modern market offers products of various sizes, installation types, colors and designs.

If the doors have higher security requirements and their width exceeds 4 cm, then mortise locks for interior doors of any well-known brand will be suitable. They are available in a wide range, ranging from standard models to multifunctional designs complete with door handles. The appearance of the product also matters, so the locking mechanism, or rather its external parts, must be in harmony with the color and design of the door.

Correct markings – high-quality lock mortise

Installing any lock always starts with markings. It is very important to avoid mistakes at this stage, since incorrect measurements lead to incorrect formation of the seat, which will certainly affect the quality of installation work in the future. As a rule, the consequence of illiterate marking is a distortion of the structure. That is why the contours should be marked as accurately and carefully as possible.

Many manufacturers of high-quality fittings and locking and hardware products complete their products with special templates for marking. This greatly simplifies the process and guarantees the exact location of the lock on the door leaf. If such blanks are not provided in the package, then you will have to make the markings yourself by attaching the structure to the door and tracing its contours with a pencil or any other writing instrument (felt-tip pen, pen, marker, chalk, etc.)

Before you pick up the tools for drilling holes and forming seats, you need to double-check the correctness of the markings several times. This will ensure reliable operation of the mechanism and eliminate the formation of distortions.

Step-by-step instructions for installing a lock

So, a suitable design has been found and purchased at the store, so it’s time to start inserting the lock. To do this, you need to perform a number of sequential actions:

  • Mark the location of the lock on the door (usually 1 meter from the floor).
  • Drilling a hole for inserting a lock with a drill (the diameter of the pen drill must be equal to the thickness of the lock, and the depth of the drilled hole must match the length of the lock structure).
  • Marking the outline of the base plate on the door leaf.
  • Carefully drill a hole for the handle (the drill should go right through the door).
  • Marking the hole for the screws (attaching the structure to the intended seat).
  • Drilling a hole to attach the lock to the door leaf (according to the received markings).
  • Installation of decorative overlays.
  • Fixing the rod connecting the door handles.
  • Closing the doors and marking the location of the tongue on the door jamb.
  • Apply the receiving pad to the intended location and trace its outline using a simple pencil.
  • Measuring the length of the lock tongue and transferring it to the door frame.
  • Attaching the lining to the seat with self-tapping screws.
  • Checking the functionality of the device (adjusting or reinstalling the tongue if necessary).

As a rule, the above instructions are suitable for all types of interior doors, including those made of particle board, natural wood and plastic (in this case, you need to buy special locks designed for PVC products).

Features of mortise locks for various types of doors

Before embedding the lock into the MDF door, it is necessary to accurately measure 1 meter from the floor, since it is at this height that the additional wooden beam is located, and the rest of the door is hollow. By ignoring this recommendation, you can ruin the door leaf, and hopelessly. If any difficulties arise with the installation process, it is better to immediately contact specialists. The locksmith will install the lock expertly, while the door will retain its presentability and functionality.

Metal doors for installation inside apartments and houses are very rarely used, however, if you have this particular type of door leaf, then it is more advisable to use the services of professionals. In addition to the fact that such doors require a special type of lock, the process itself is particularly complex.

Interior doors made of plastic are quite common in modern interiors. You can fit a lock into such doors with the same ease as into wooden ones. The only thing is that the locking device itself must be designed for use in PVC products. Otherwise, the advice of specialists on installing locking systems in interior units is almost identical to the instructions above.

What tools are needed to mortise a lock?

You can install a lock on interior doors using simple tools that every home craftsman has. You will need:

  • Hand drill with feather drills
  • Chisel.
  • Screwdriver.
  • Screwdrivers (phillips and flathead).
  • Carpenter's square.
  • Hammer.
  • Roulette (ruler).
  • Pencil (pen, thin marker, felt-tip pen, chalk).

So, we figured out what tools are needed to install standard locks on interior doors. This list may vary depending on the complexity of the work, the type of door or mechanism. Some devices can be replaced with analogues. For example, instead of a chisel, you can use a chisel, and self-tapping screws can be easily screwed in using a drill.

And yet, not all types of locks can be cut using available tools. In some cases, you may need a milling cutter - a special device for door blocks that ensures high accuracy of the landing recesses. The milling machine is quite compact and easy to use. Using it, you can cut a groove of any shape and size, give the edges of the workpiece the correct shape, prepare niches for hinges and seats for locking mechanisms.

Mortising a lock with a router

If you have a milling machine at your disposal, then the task of installing a lock on interior doors becomes much easier. The lock is inserted with a router in a vertical position of the door on its side, which is achieved by securing it with a slipway. This avoids the need to constantly support the blade with your hands.

Having fixed the position of the doors, we proceed to mortise the lock:

  • We mark the seat of the lock body and tongue.
  • We cut out a recess for the locking device using a hand router.
  • We insert into the machine a cutter corresponding to the dimensions of the plank.
  • Adjust the required depth.
  • We make a recess in the center.
  • We prepare the seat for the body.
  • We straighten its edges using a chisel.
  • We insert the lock according to the above instructions.

A router is not a necessary tool for installing locking mechanisms, but some types of locks are almost impossible to install without it. This applies to latched locks, for the installation of which it is necessary to prepare a neat hole for the keyhole. Mortizing a lock without a cutter in the case of standard devices for interior doors is quite possible if you have all the necessary tools at hand.

In addition to step-by-step instructions for inserting locks into interior doors, each master has his own secrets that allow him to complete the installation as efficiently and quickly as possible:

  • In order not to cut off extra millimeters with a router, the contours of the external markings can be limited with masking tape.
  • Drilling through doors can damage the door leaf, so you can divide this stage into two steps. First you need to drill the door on one side, continuing drilling until the point of the drill appears on the back side. Then perform similar actions on the other side of the doors, using the resulting hole as the center.
  • To hide the lock well in the hole, its depth should be 2-3 mm greater than the width of the lock body.
  • If the lock is installed correctly, the door will unlock/lock without jamming or unnecessary effort. Otherwise, it is necessary to change the location of the counter plate.
  • If you do not have suitable tools for installing locks, but you are going to buy them, then pay attention to special kits for inserting locking mechanisms. These kits include drills and bits that are exactly the right size.
  • Immediately before attaching the lock to the door with self-tapping screws, it is recommended to verify its functionality. Try repeating several cycles of unlocking/locking the lock with the key and make sure that the mechanism is working properly.

Of course, you can install a lock in the door yourself, but if you are not confident in your own abilities and experience, then do not risk the doors and order installation from a professional service. Our technicians will come to your home and install the device quickly and efficiently.

While wooden doors and MDF panels are easily sawed and drilled, it is not so easy to install a mechanism in metal and plastic blocks. Therefore, in these cases it is also more advisable to contact specialists.

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