We Make it Easy to Order Mortise Cylinders Online

Just choose the category below, and you specify any details you want on the product page.

For being a new customer, you get 10% off of list price by entering the code MORTISE at checkout. Repeat customers get even better discounts ;-)

The easiest way to order is to select your hardware from the "compatible with" dropdown - you don't need to do anything else. We make sure that you get a mortise lock that works.

But if you're just curious about mortise cylinders, keep reading...

As far as locksets go, the mortise (also sometimes spelled mortice) lockset is by far the most common. Most swing doors, whether wood, metal, or glass, can accept mortise locksets. Mortise locksets are extremely versatile, and come in a variety of functions designed for various applications. They’re on most doors where you need even a basic level of security - front doors of homes, apartment doors, office doors, entry doors, etc.

"Mortise" refers to the fact that the mechanism is fit into a cut-out in the door. You can spot them easily since most of them have a lever or knob, with a lock cylinder above, and usually a thumbturn on the other side which operates an integrated deadbolt. 

Unless you want a passage (non-locking) door, you'll need mortise cylinder to lock up. Mortise cylinders are threaded so that they screw into the lockset, and they have a small tail at the back called a “cam” which operates the mechanism within the lockset. 

Inside of each mortise lockset, there is a “switch” which can be placed in the locked position or the open position. When you turn a key in a mortise cylinder, the cam engages the locking mechanism to move the latch or deadbolt. It’s the shape of this "switch" which creates the need for differently shaped cams. Cams come in many different shapes (see photo to the left) and lengths to interact with the lockset like gears - they must mesh in order for the lockset to work properly.

With mortise cylinders you will need to ensure that the cylinder will fit properly into the lockset that you’re using, and that the cam will also be the right shape to turn the locksets mechanism. If you tell us which door and mortise lockset you're using, we’ll be sure to provide the correct cam, cylinder length, and any spacing collars if necessary.

Depending on the brands of the cylinder and the lockset, it is very common for mortise cylinders to stick out. Just look at the next door you see -- the cylinder will likely be sticking out, usually 1/4" or more.   

Any other questions, feel free to ask us using our contact form -- just click the green button below!