On Sunday, 24 November 2019 16:10:02 UTC, nightjar wrote:
On 24/11/2019 14:18, Caecilius wrote:
Many of the mortice latches on my internal doors are not as smooth as
I'd like. I think they're all about 20 years old, so I'm planning to
replace them all at once rather than just replacing the bad ones.

Do you mean a sash lock? That is one with a sprung latch operated by the
door handle and a key operated mortice lock. I don't bother with those,
as internal doors generally don't need to be locked. Instead, I use
simple sprung latches or ball or roller latches.

I know there's a a nasty failure mode with these latches where the
die-cast insides can fail leaving you locked in or out, and I'm keen
to avoid cheap-and-nasty brands that might do this if possible.

That can't happen with a ball or roller latch. If the mechanism breaks
(which I have never known happen) a hard push or pull will still open
the door. If they do fail, it is more likely to be the spring, which
means they simply don't hold the door closed any more.

There are a large range of prices at screwfix - from 99p each to over
5 pounds. Is price any indication of quality with these sorts of
items? I'm wondering whether it's best to buy a branded one like
Smith and Locke (which maybe just a B&Q / Screwfix brand anyway) or
just go with the unbranded cheap ones and maybe replace them every few
years.


IME the best way to buy locks is from an independent locksmith. You will
get impartial advice on which is best and what the drawbacks any of the
different types have.

OTOH you could just avoid unbranded locks or locks from unknown brands
and go for a well known maker. I have had good service from both Yale
and Union locks in the past.

Or Chubb.
On bedroom doors, all you need is a bolt on the inside.
Or bathroom locks. (Can be opened with a coin in emergency)