Identify Your Lock with Professional Locksmith Guidance for Customers in Manchester

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Find Your Lock Type Quickly and Easily

We may direct you to this page to help identify your locks or assist you in understanding what type of lock you have. On this page, you’ll find the most common locks, each accompanied by a picture and a brief description of where they are typically used. If you’re unsure based on the images alone, please read the description for better understanding. If you’re still struggling to find out the type of your lock, send us a picture and we will do it for you.

Euro Cylinder, also known as Barrel Lock

If you live in an apartment, there’s a 95% chance your entrance door has a Euro cylinder lock. These locks are the most common choice for apartment security. You can also find them on houses, especially on uPVC, wooden, and composite doors. They are widely used in front and back doors, as well as on garage doors, gates, and storage units.

Types of Euro Cylinder Locks:

Single Cylinder – Key-operated from one side only
Double Cylinder – Key-operated from both sides
Thumb Turn Cylinder – Key on one side, thumb turn on the other for easy locking/unlocking.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to identify a Euro cylinder because they are covered. Scroll down to see some example covers. Please note that they may not look exactly the same, as there are around 50 different models on the market. However, if you have one of these covers, it means there is a Euro cylinder underneath.

Examples of Covers That Are Compatible with Euro Cylinders

Rim Cylinder, Widely Known as a Yale Lock

Rim cylinder locks are commonly found on residential and commercial doors, especially in wooden doors. Unlike Euro cylinders, which are installed inside the door, rim cylinders are mounted on the surface of the door and are typically used with a night latch system.

They are most often found in:

Front and back doors of older homes and apartments
Main entrances of shared buildings (e.g., apartment blocks and offices)
Wooden doors with night latches, where the lock mechanism is on the inside and the key-operated cylinder is on the outside
Some commercial properties where quick locking and unlocking is required

Night Latch, Also Known as a Yale Lock

Night latches are commonly found on wooden doors, especially in residential properties across the UK. They are mounted on the inside surface of the door, with a rim cylinder on the outside for key operation. Night latches automatically lock when the door closes, providing convenient security.

They are most often found in:

Front doors of older homes in the UK, often used alongside a mortice deadlock
Apartment and flat entrance doors for quick locking and keyless exit
Office and commercial buildings where internal security is needed
Shared or communal entrances, often part of a master key system

Night latches are spring-loaded, meaning they automatically lock when the door closes unless held open by a latch snib. Some high-security versions feature deadlocking to prevent forced entry.

Mortice Deadlock

Mortice deadlocks are commonly found on wooden doors, particularly in residential and commercial properties across the UK. They are installed inside the door, requiring a pocket (mortice) to be cut to fit the lock mechanism. Unlike cylinder locks, mortice deadlocks provide higher security because they engage directly into the door frame.

They are most often found in:

Front and back doors of homes, especially in older properties
Commercial buildings requiring secure entry points
Shared entrances in apartment buildings (sometimes used alongside a night latch)
High-security doors that meet insurance requirements (typically 5-lever BS3621 certified locks)

Mortice Lock

Mortice deadlocks are a popular security choice for wooden doors in both residential and commercial propertiesacross the UK. These locks are fitted inside the door itself, requiring a precisely cut mortice (pocket) to accommodate the lock mechanism. Unlike standard cylinder locks, mortice deadlocks offer enhanced security by locking directly into the door frame, making them harder to force open.

Where Are Mortice Deadlocks Commonly Used?

Front and back doors of homes, particularly in traditional and older properties.
Commercial premises that require a strong, secure locking system.
Shared apartment entrances, often paired with a night latch for added security.
High-security doors that meet insurance standards, such as 5-lever BS3621-certified locks.

uPVC door mechanism

The main difference between a uPVC door locking mechanism and a traditional lock is that uPVC doors use a multi-point locking system, which secures the door at multiple points along the frame when the handle is lifted. This provides enhanced security and weather resistance compared to single-point locks.

How Does a uPVC Door Mechanism Work?

A uPVC door lock operates through a multi-point locking system, which typically includes:

Latch & deadbolt – Engages when the door is closed and locked with a key.
Rollers or hooks – Secure the door tightly into the frame for added stability.
Shoot bolts (on some models) – Extend into the frame at the top and bottom for extra security.
Euro cylinder lock – The key-operated locking component, which can be replaced if needed.

When the handle is lifted, the locking points engage, and turning the key secures the mechanism fully.

Where Are uPVC Door Mechanisms Commonly Used?

Residential front and back doors – Especially in modern homes.
Patio and French doors – For smooth operation and secure closure.
Commercial properties – Used for lightweight security doors.
Conservatories and porches – Providing insulation and security.