Publish Time: 2026-08-17 Origin: D&D HARDWARE
A UL listed mortise lock may be suitable for both wood doors and hollow metal doors, but that does not mean the two installations are identical.
The lock function, latchbolt operation, cylinder, lever trim, and basic case dimensions may remain the same. The differences usually appear around the lock:
How the mortise pocket is formed
What material supports the lock case
How the faceplate and trim are fastened
Whether internal reinforcement is required
How the strike is prepared in the frame
Whether intumescent or edge-sealing materials are required
Which modifications are permitted on the labeled door
Whether the complete door, frame, lock, and hardware combination maintains the required fire rating
The correct question is therefore not simply:
Is this a mortise lock for a wood door or a metal door?
It is:
Does the exact lock configuration fit the door preparation, fastening method, frame, fire-door listing, and installation conditions of this opening?
This guide compares the requirements that should be checked before specifying or installing a UL listed mortise lock in either door construction.
| Comparison point | Wood door | Hollow metal door |
|---|---|---|
| Lock case | Installed in a routed or machined pocket in the lock edge | Installed in a factory-formed or approved field-prepared pocket inside the steel door |
| Primary support | Door stile, lock block, core construction, through-posts, and specified fasteners | Internal steel reinforcement, lock tabs or clips, tapped holes, and machine screws |
| Edge preparation | Pocket and faceplate recess must preserve the permitted door construction | Cutout must align with reinforcement and standardized steel-door preparation |
| Faceplate fastening | Commonly secured into the door edge using specified screws | Commonly secured to reinforced and tapped steel preparation |
| Trim fastening | Often uses through-bolts, posts, or chassis fasteners passing through the door | Uses the lock manufacturer's through-bolts, posts, or machine-screw arrangement |
| Strike preparation | Mortised into a wood or metal frame according to the frame construction | Normally prepared in a reinforced steel frame and drilled or tapped as required |
| Fire-door concern | Excessive routing can remove required stile, core, or protective material | Unapproved cutting can remove reinforcement or alter the labeled steel construction |
| Additional fire protection | Some listed wood-door constructions require intumescent material or a specific lock-pocket treatment | Requirements depend on the steel-door listing; the same wood-door protection detail should not be assumed |
| Field modification | Must remain within the door manufacturer's listing and permitted job-site preparation | Must remain within the steel-door manufacturer's listing and applicable preparation rules |
| Typical coordination risk | Incorrect pocket depth, insufficient remaining material, wrong fasteners, missing protective material | Missing reinforcement, misaligned preparation, stripped threads, incompatible faceplate or strike |
| Does the UL mark on the lock approve the opening? | No | No |
The lock cannot compensate for a door or frame that was prepared incorrectly.
In many cases, yes.
A commercial mortise lock manufacturer may offer the same lock case and function for:
Wood doors
Hollow metal doors
Fire-rated wood doors
Fire-rated hollow metal doors
Doors installed in wood frames
Doors installed in steel frames
However, the words "wood and metal door application" on a product page are only the beginning of the review.
The buyer still needs to confirm:
The exact lock model and function
Door thickness
Lock backset
Case dimensions
Faceplate dimensions
Trim preparation
Cylinder or thumbturn arrangement
Latchbolt and deadbolt projections
Door handing and bevel
Fastener type
Required door reinforcement
Strike dimensions and frame preparation
Fire rating of the opening
Lock listing scope
Door manufacturer's approved hardware preparation
Any required intumescent or edge-sealing components
Two doors can accept the same lock body while requiring different templates, fasteners, reinforcement, and installation procedures.
For background on the certification boundary, see what a UL listed mortise lock means for fire door compliance. The UL listing applies to a defined product and application; it does not independently approve every door into which the lock can physically fit.
A mortise lock is concealed in a deep rectangular pocket in the door edge. That makes it more dependent on door construction than a small surface-mounted component.
The lock creates several interfaces:
The lock case fits inside the edge pocket.
The forend or faceplate sits flush with the door edge.
The lever spindle passes through the lock hubs.
Mounting posts or screws connect the inside and outside trim.
A cylinder, thumbturn, indicator, or emergency release engages the lock case.
The latchbolt and deadbolt project into the frame strike.
The strike transfers closing, latching, and attempted-entry loads into the frame.
Each interface must remain aligned.
Wood and hollow metal doors achieve that support differently. A wood door depends on its stile, core, lock block, and approved routing. A hollow metal door depends on formed steel edges, internal reinforcement, tapped preparations, and the position of the lock case within the door.
This construction difference affects both installation quality and fire-door compliance.
In a wood door, the mortise pocket is normally machined into the lock edge. Separate face holes are then prepared for the spindle, cylinder, thumbturn, mounting posts, indicator, or other trim required by the function.
The preparation must match the exact lock template.
Important dimensions include:
Door thickness
Backset
Lock-case height, width, and depth
Faceplate length and width
Faceplate recess depth
Lever or knob centerline
Cylinder centerline
Thumbturn centerline
Through-bolt locations
Deadbolt and latchbolt positions
Distance between operating centers
Lock height above the finished floor
Relationship to the door bevel
The pocket should be large enough for the lock case and necessary wiring, when applicable, but it should not remove more material than the approved preparation permits.
An oversized cavity can reduce support around the lock, create loose fasteners, expose core material, or conflict with the door's fire-rated construction.
The phrase "wood door" covers several constructions, including:
Solid lumber doors
Solid-core architectural wood doors
Particle-core doors
Structural composite lumber core doors
Mineral-core fire doors
Agrifiber or other engineered cores
Stave-core doors
Wood doors with proprietary fire-resistant cores
These constructions do not all respond to machining in the same way.
The mortise lock may be supported by:
A solid wood stile
A structural composite stile
A separate lock block
Reinforcing material incorporated around the lock edge
A proprietary core and edge system
Additional blocking specified by the door manufacturer
The installer should not assume that visible wood veneer indicates solid material throughout the lock area.
Before machining, confirm:
Door manufacturer and model
Door core
Lock-edge construction
Lock-block location and dimensions
Maximum permitted pocket size
Fire label and rating
Approved lock type
Required protection around the pocket
Factory-preparation requirements
Permitted job-site preparation
A pocket that fits into one architectural wood door may exceed the permitted preparation of another door with the same thickness and appearance.
The lock faceplate should sit flush with the finished door edge.
If the faceplate stands proud:
It may rub the frame or strike.
The door may not close freely.
The latchbolt may not align with the strike.
The closing force needed to latch the door may increase.
If it is recessed too deeply:
The latchbolt may lose effective engagement.
The edge preparation may provide poor support.
The faceplate screws may be loaded unevenly.
The gap between the faceplate and strike can increase.
The recess also needs clean edges. Splintered veneer, crushed core material, and broken screw locations can compromise both appearance and fastening quality.
Do not replace the supplied fasteners with whichever screws are available on site.
Depending on the lock and trim design, a wood-door installation may use:
Edge screws for the lock faceplate
Through-posts connecting inside and outside trim
Through-bolts passing through prepared face holes
Cylinder retaining screws
Escutcheon or rose fasteners
Reinforced mounting plates
Manufacturer-specific screws for the door construction
Screw length and diameter matter. A screw that is too short may not develop adequate holding strength. A screw that is too long may interfere with the lock case, spindle, cylinder, wiring, or internal mechanism.
Repeatedly removing and reinstalling edge screws can also weaken wood-based material. If the installation does not align correctly, identify and correct the preparation error instead of enlarging screw holes to force the components into position.
A hollow metal door is not an empty steel shell into which any lock can be inserted.
A correctly prepared door normally includes features such as:
A formed lock-edge cutout
Internal lock reinforcement
Lock mounting tabs, clips, channels, or brackets
Drilled and tapped mounting holes
Function holes for the spindle, cylinder, thumbturn, and trim
A faceplate recess or edge arrangement compatible with the lock
Suitable clearance inside the door for the case
Internal protection from core material or insulation
An edge construction that positions the lock correctly
ANSI/SDI A250.14 provides standardized dimensional preparations for common hardware in steel doors and frames. ANSI/SDI A250.6 addresses recommended hardware reinforcement.
These standards support coordination, but the actual door and lock templates still control. A standard mortise preparation should not be assumed to fit every proprietary lock case, escutcheon, electrified function, or nonstandard trim option.
The steel face sheet alone may not provide sufficient material for a heavy commercial mortise lock.
Internal reinforcement creates a suitable mounting base and helps resist:
Repeated lever operation
Door slamming
Latch and deadbolt loading
Pulling at the trim
Torque applied to the lever
Impact around the lock edge
Loosening of the lock faceplate
Movement of the lock case inside the door
Current Steel Door Institute guidance identifies reinforcement and tapped mounting preparation as essential elements of mortised-hardware installation. The preparation must provide adequate thread engagement and hold the lock case in its intended position.
If reinforcement is missing, incorrectly located, or too weak, the installer should not solve the problem by fastening the lock only to a thin door skin.
The appropriate response may involve:
Confirming whether the correct door was supplied
Obtaining an approved reinforcement kit
Consulting the door manufacturer
Using a specifically authorized through-bolted method
Replacing the door with the correct factory-prepared construction
Any solution for a labeled fire door must remain within the door manufacturer's listing and approved modification procedures.
Mortise locks in reinforced steel doors commonly rely on machine screws installed into tapped reinforcement.
Installation problems include:
Cross-threading
Stripped threads
Oversized field-drilled holes
Incorrect screw diameter or thread
Screws that bottom out before clamping the faceplate
Missing screws
Substitution with sheet-metal screws
Misaligned reinforcement behind the cutout
Loose tabs that allow the lock case to move
The lock should slide into its prepared position without using mounting screws to pull a misaligned case into the door.
If the faceplate holes do not align with the tapped reinforcement, check the template, handing, case orientation, faceplate size, and door preparation. Forcing the screws can damage the threads and leave the lock unsupported.
Hollow metal doors can use different edge constructions and seam locations. They may also have square, beveled, or otherwise formed lock edges.
The lock faceplate must be compatible with that geometry.
Verify:
Door thickness
Edge seam position
Bevel direction
Faceplate width
Faceplate curvature or flatness
Lock centerline
Distance from the door face to the case
Strike alignment after the door is hung
The backset should be measured from the correct reference surface, particularly on a beveled edge. Measuring from the wrong face of the door can shift the cylinder and lever preparation relative to the lock case.
A correctly installed lock can still fail to latch if the strike preparation is wrong.
The strike must receive the latchbolt and, where provided, the deadbolt without forcing the door out of alignment.
A wood-frame preparation may require:
A mortised strike plate
Accurate latchbolt and deadbolt pockets
Suitable jamb material behind the strike
Screws of the specified size and length
Additional reinforcement where required
Alignment with the lock centerline
Clearance for full bolt projection
The installer should not deepen or enlarge the strike pocket indiscriminately. Excessive material removal can weaken the jamb and reduce screw holding strength.
If the opening is fire rated, confirm that the wood frame itself is listed for the required rating and that the strike preparation is within its approved construction.
A hollow metal frame normally uses:
A factory or approved field-prepared strike cutout
Internal strike reinforcement
Tapped mounting holes
A mortar or dust box where specified
Clearance for latchbolt and deadbolt projection
A strike lip suitable for the frame profile
Alignment with the lock centerline
The strike cannot be selected from latchbolt dimensions alone. Its overall size, mounting-hole spacing, lip length, pocket depth, and frame compatibility also matter.
A mortise-lock strike designed for one frame profile may not sit correctly on another.
After installation, confirm:
The latchbolt enters the strike without binding.
The auxiliary deadlatch does not fall into the strike opening.
The deadbolt fully projects where the function includes one.
The door remains positively latched when closed.
The latch does not depend on excessive closer force.
The strike does not hold the door away from the stop.
The lock operates with the door both open and closed.
The door does not have to be lifted, pushed, or pulled to operate the key or thumbturn.
Poor strike alignment is often mistaken for a defective lock.
A UL listed mortise lock is one listed component. The fire rating belongs to the acceptable door assembly, not to the lock alone.
The assembly may include:
Door leaf
Door frame
Hinges or pivots
Mortise lock
Strike
Cylinder and trim
Door closer
Gasketing
Edge-sealing material
Astragal
Coordinator
Automatic or flush bolts
Glazing and light kit
Threshold
Fasteners
Installation clearances
The lock must support positive latching, but the complete opening must satisfy the required rating and installation conditions.
A mortise lock advertised as suitable for a three-hour application does not turn a wood or steel door into a three-hour fire door.
The achievable rating is limited by the acceptable combination of:
Wall opening
Door construction
Frame construction
Door and frame labels
Hardware listings
Opening size
Glazing
Door configuration
Installation details
Applicable code and authority requirements
A wood door and a hollow metal door fitted with the same lock may carry different door ratings because their door constructions and labeled applications differ.
The buyer should avoid creating a single "lock fire rating" field and assuming it controls the whole opening.
A swinging fire door normally needs to close and positively latch.
For a mortise lock, this requires coordination of:
Latchbolt projection
Strike depth
Door-to-frame clearance
Bevel
Door closer adjustment
Gasketing compression
Frame alignment
Door sag
Lock and strike mounting
Auxiliary deadlatch position
A UL listed lock cannot maintain the door in the latched position if the latchbolt never fully enters the strike.
Some positive-pressure wood fire-door constructions use intumescent material or other protective components around the door edge, lock preparation, frame, or perimeter.
Requirements vary by listing.
Do not automatically add an intumescent lock kit because the door is wood, and do not omit one because the lock itself is UL Listed. Confirm:
Door manufacturer
Door construction
Fire rating
Lock type and pocket size
Edge-sealing category
Required material location
Required thickness
Whether the material is factory installed
Whether field installation is permitted
Whether the proposed lock trim affects the detail
Adding an unapproved material can be as problematic as omitting a required one.
Steel does not eliminate the need for listing coordination.
For a hollow metal fire door, verify:
Door label and rating
Door model and construction
Frame label
Lock reinforcement
Face-sheet and edge construction
Permitted mortise-lock preparation
Latchbolt projection
Door size
Pair or single-door application
Astragal or coordinator requirements
Installation clearances
Field-modification limitations
An unapproved cutout can affect a hollow metal door even when the remaining material is steel.
Factory preparation is usually the most controlled approach when the lock model is known before the door is manufactured.
The door manufacturer can coordinate:
Exact lock template
Lock centerline
Pocket dimensions
Faceplate
Reinforcement
Function holes
Cylinder and trim
Handing
Door bevel
Strike
Fire-door construction
Labels and production records
Field preparation may be possible in defined circumstances, but it should not be treated as unlimited permission to alter a labeled door.
Confirm in writing:
The door manufacturer permits the proposed preparation.
The exact lock model is acceptable.
The pocket dimensions are within the door's approved construction.
The lock block or stile is suitable.
The required template is available.
Any intumescent or protective material is identified.
The proposed tools and procedure will not damage the door.
The preparation falls within permitted job-site work.
Additional listing-agency authorization is not required.
The label will remain valid and legible.
Confirm:
The door includes the required lock reinforcement.
The reinforcement matches the lock faceplate and case.
The door is intended for a mortise-lock preparation.
The field cutout is allowed.
Function holes can be prepared without removing reinforcement.
The lock does not conflict with edge seams, core material, or internal components.
Drilling and tapping requirements are defined.
The strike preparation is compatible.
The work complies with the door manufacturer's listing.
Written authorization is obtained when the work exceeds permitted preparation.
Do not assume that field work is acceptable merely because a non-rated version of the door could be modified that way.
"Standard mortise lock preparation" is not enough for an international purchase order or project submittal.
Provide a complete dimension set.
| Required information | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Door construction | Determines preparation, support, fastening, and listing review |
| Fire-rated or non-rated | Determines certification and modification requirements |
| Required fire rating | Must be coordinated with the complete assembly |
| Door thickness | Controls spindle, cylinder, trim, posts, and fasteners |
| Door width and height | May affect the listed opening and hardware application |
| Handing and swing | Affects latch orientation, function, trim, and installation |
| Lock-edge bevel | Changes the preparation reference and faceplate relationship |
| Backset | Locates lever, cylinder, and case relative to the door edge |
| Lock centerline | Coordinates door and frame preparation |
| Faceplate size | Must match the door-edge recess or steel preparation |
| Lock-case dimensions | Determine required pocket size |
| Lever or knob center | Controls face-hole location |
| Cylinder center | Must align with the lock-case mechanism |
| Thumbturn or indicator center | Required for privacy and deadbolt functions |
| Through-bolt locations | Must match trim and avoid the lock case |
| Latchbolt projection | Affects strike engagement and fire-door suitability |
| Deadbolt projection | Affects strike depth and frame preparation |
| Strike dimensions | Must match the frame profile and mounting preparation |
| Frame construction | Determines strike fastening and reinforcement |
| Required protective material | Necessary for applicable listed door constructions |
| Electrified options | Add wiring, connectors, monitoring, and certification considerations |
Request both the lock template and the door manufacturer's preparation sheet. Do not rely only on nominal dimensions in a catalog table.
A lock may be offered for a door-thickness range, but several components must be sized correctly within that range:
Spindle
Through-bolts
Mounting posts
Cylinder length
Cylinder collar
Thumbturn spindle
Escutcheon screws
Indicator assembly
Emergency-release components
Wiring connectors
A lock case that fits inside the door does not prove that the supplied trim package fits the door thickness.
This becomes especially important when comparing:
A nominal 1-3/4-inch commercial door
A 45 mm door
A 50 mm door
A 55 mm door
A door with applied protective plates
A door with thick decorative cladding
A door using escutcheon trim on both faces
State the finished door thickness, including any layer that affects trim assembly.
Some mortise lock latchbolts can be reversed, but that does not make every part of the lock non-handed.
Depending on the function, handing may affect:
Latchbolt orientation
Auxiliary deadlatch
Lever rotation
Inside and outside trim
Cylinder side
Thumbturn side
Indicator
Deadbolt
Electrified monitoring
Request-to-exit switch
Faceplate
Strike
The order should identify:
Left hand
Right hand
Left-hand reverse
Right-hand reverse
Door swing
Egress side
Secure side
Lock-edge bevel
Do not depend on job-site latch reversal to correct an incorrectly specified function or trim arrangement.
Normally, no.
Passage, entry, classroom, storeroom, privacy, dormitory, apartment, and deadbolt functions describe how the lock operates. They do not identify the door material.
For example, an F07 storeroom lock can be used in an appropriately prepared wood or hollow metal door if:
The exact model is suitable for that door construction.
The preparation is correct.
The lock's certification scope covers the required application.
The door assembly accepts the lock.
The outside and inside operation match the hardware schedule.
The function should be selected from the required access behavior, not from the door material. Readers comparing operating sequences can use the separate guide to UL listed mortise lock functions.
The Grade 1 designation belongs to the lock's tested mechanical performance under ANSI/BHMA A156.13. It is not a wood-door grade or a hollow-metal-door grade.
However, field performance still depends on the installation.
A Grade 1 lock can perform poorly if:
The wood-door pocket is oversized.
Edge screws are loose.
The hollow metal door lacks reinforcement.
Machine-screw threads are damaged.
The spindle is too short.
The cylinder is incorrectly sized.
The strike is misaligned.
The door sags.
The closer slams the door.
The latchbolt does not fully engage.
The performance claim does not eliminate the need for a stable mounting structure.
Replacing a mortise lock is more difficult than ordering hardware for a new door because existing preparations may not follow the new lock template.
Measure the actual opening instead of identifying the old lock only by brand or function.
Record:
Existing door material
Door thickness
Door edge and bevel
Lock-case pocket height, width, and depth
Faceplate dimensions
Backset
Lever or knob center
Cylinder center
Distance between centers
Through-bolt pattern
Existing strike dimensions
Strike-lip length
Latchbolt and deadbolt positions
Door handing
Frame profile
Existing reinforcement
Fire label information
Previous field modifications
Condition of screw holes and tapped threads
A filler plate or adapter may conceal an old cutout on a non-rated opening, but it should not be assumed acceptable for a labeled fire door. Confirm the approved repair or retrofit method before altering the door.
It is only a general application statement. The exact door construction, listing, preparation, rating, and fasteners still require confirmation.
The lock centers may match, but the steel-door preparation also needs correctly located reinforcement, tapped mounting points, and a compatible faceplate cutout.
A dimensional steel-door preparation does not identify the wood door's permitted pocket size, lock block, core, or required protective material.
This can result in a generic preparation that does not match the final faceplate, trim, cylinder, function holes, or electrified options.
The lock drawing explains what the lock needs. It does not independently establish what modifications the labeled door permits.
Door thickness is only one dimension. Backset, lock case, faceplate, trim, bevel, function, and door construction may still differ.
A thin face sheet should not be treated as the complete support for a heavy commercial mortise lock.
Excess clearance allows the case to move and can remove material required by the door construction.
Mounting screws should secure the lock, not deform the case, reinforcement, faceplate, or door edge.
A visually similar strike may have a different lip, pocket, bolt opening, hole spacing, or frame application.
The door, frame, hardware, rating, and installation remain separate parts of the assembly review.
Some wood-door constructions require specific material; others use different protection details. An improvised solution is not reliable evidence of compliance.
On a labeled fire door, the listing and permitted preparation control the work—not merely whether the installer can physically make the cut.
A controlled sequence helps identify door-related problems before the lock is damaged.
Check:
Door and frame labels
Door material and construction
Required fire rating
Door swing and handing
Door thickness
Frame profile
Hardware schedule
Lock function
Confirm:
Manufacturer
Exact model
Function
UL certification scope
Latchbolt and deadbolt
Backset
Faceplate
Trim
Cylinder
Fasteners
Door-thickness range
Mechanical or electrified construction
Compare the lock template with:
Wood-door preparation sheet, or
Hollow-metal door and reinforcement preparation
Also compare the strike with the frame preparation.
For a wood door, inspect pocket size, remaining edge material, lock block, faceplate recess, and protective components.
For a hollow metal door, inspect reinforcement, mounting tabs, tapped holes, cutout dimensions, edge seams, and internal clearance.
The case should enter the pocket in the correct orientation. Confirm that the faceplate sits flush and that the spindle, cylinder, and trim holes align.
Do not substitute screw types or use the screws to correct a misaligned preparation.
Verify cylinder projection, cam engagement, lever return, spindle length, mounting-post alignment, and inside/outside orientation.
Make sure the latchbolt and deadbolt enter their intended pockets without binding.
Test:
Door open and closed
Key operation
Inside lever
Outside lever
Thumbturn
Deadbolt
Auxiliary deadlatch
Emergency release
Indicator
Electrified control, if applicable
Retained locked or unlocked state
Positive latching after closing
Confirm labels, clearances, self-closing, positive latching, prohibited modifications, missing fasteners, auxiliary hardware, and the overall condition of the assembly.
D&D HARDWARE presents its commercial ANSI mortise locks for both wooden and metal door applications. The range includes passage, entry, classroom, storeroom, privacy, dormitory, deadbolt, and other functions.
Published product information for several models identifies common characteristics such as:
Stainless steel lock cases and components
2-3/4-inch or approximately 70 mm backset
3/4-inch or approximately 19 mm latchbolt projection
Standard door-thickness ranges such as 45–55 mm on identified models
Left-hand and right-hand applications
Wood-door and metal-door use
UL and ANSI/BHMA performance claims
These figures should not be transferred automatically from one model to another.
When evaluating the D&D UL-listed ANSI mortise lock range, provide the complete opening information and request confirmation of:
Exact D&D model and function
Mechanical or electrified configuration
Door material and construction
Fire rating
Door thickness
Handing and bevel
Backset
Lock-case and faceplate dimensions
Lever, rose, or escutcheon preparation
Cylinder or privacy trim
Wood-door or hollow-metal fasteners
Required steel reinforcement
Strike model and frame preparation
Latchbolt and deadbolt projections
Applicable UL certification record
ANSI/BHMA test evidence
Lock and door templates
Installation instructions
Required intumescent or edge-sealing details
Compatibility with the complete fire-door assembly
The purpose of this review is not to create separate "wood-door" and "metal-door" versions where the same lock can serve both. It is to ensure that the delivered lock package includes the correct components and preparation information for the actual opening.
UL listed mortise locks for wood and hollow metal doors are not necessarily different lock products. In many projects, the same lock case can serve both door types.
What changes is the structure supporting the lock.
A wood door relies on its lock edge, stile, lock block, core, approved pocket, and specified fasteners. A hollow metal door relies on its formed edge, internal reinforcement, tapped mounting points, and coordinated steel-door preparation. The frame and strike must also match the selected opening.
For fire-rated applications, physical fit is not enough. The exact lock model, door construction, frame, preparation, fasteners, protective materials, rating, and installation must remain within the applicable certified assembly conditions.
Before ordering, establish a traceable relationship among:
Scheduled opening
Door and frame construction
Lock function
Exact lock model
Lock template
Door preparation
Reinforcement or lock block
Strike
UL listing scope
Installation instructions
Delivered product markings
That coordination determines whether a mortise lock is genuinely suitable for a wood or hollow metal door—not the wording of the product title alone.
The same lock case can often be used in both. The main differences are the door preparation, reinforcement, fastening method, strike installation, and fire-door compatibility.
No. The exact lock must be suitable for the required application, and the wood door's listing must permit the lock type and preparation. Pocket dimensions and any required protective material must also be confirmed.
A commercial hollow metal door normally requires an appropriate reinforced lock preparation. Do not rely only on a thin steel face sheet unless the door and lock manufacturers specifically authorize another fastening method.
Wood is easier to machine, but that does not make the preparation less critical. An oversized or incorrectly located pocket can weaken the mounting area or conflict with a fire-door construction.
Factory preparation is generally preferable when the exact hardware is known, especially for labeled doors. It improves coordination of the pocket, reinforcement, function holes, trim, strike, and listing requirements.
No. It may be factory prepared for a particular standard or manufacturer template, prepared only for another lock type, or supplied without the required function holes. Verify the actual preparation and reinforcement.
Some listed fire-door constructions do; others use different protective details. Follow the door manufacturer's listing and preparation instructions rather than making a general assumption.
Not necessarily. Strike size, lip, mounting screws, reinforcement, and preparation can differ between wood and steel frames.
No. Grade 1 addresses the lock's mechanical performance. Door fit and fire-door compatibility must be verified separately.
It may correct latchbolt orientation on certain models, but it does not necessarily correct the complete function, trim, cylinder side, indicator, deadbolt, monitoring, or bevel relationship.
Only within the door manufacturer's permitted preparation and applicable listing requirements. More extensive modifications may require written authorization or field evaluation.
No. The door, frame, hinges, closer, lock, strike, gasketing, installation, and other components must form an acceptable assembly.
Compare the exact lock template with the door preparation. Check door thickness, backset, faceplate, case dimensions, trim holes, handing, bevel, reinforcement, and whether the correct lock model was supplied.
Contact: David Jian
Mob:0086-139 2903 7292
Email: David@dndhardware.com, sales@dndhardware.com,
Contact: Jobby Zhang
Mob:0086-137 2599 9617
Email: jobby@dndhardware.com
D&D HARDWARE INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD
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