Components & reference points
The lock faceplate
The faceplate is the visible plate on the edge of a door fitted with a mortice lock. It houses the bolt passages and contributes to securing the mechanism within the door frame.
THE KEY POINT TO REMEMBER
The faceplate is located on the door. The strike plate, which receives the bolts, is located on the jamb.
What is the purpose of the faceplate?
The faceplate closes the lock case on the door-edge side and secures it in its recess with the specified fixings. On multipoint locks, it may extend over much of the door height.
The faceplate is not the 'top part' of the lock. It does not normally feature the visible key entry on the door face and should not be confused with the lock case that houses the mechanism.
Shapes and dimensions
Faceplates can be flat or profiled, with rounded or square ends depending on the product. Width, thickness, length, and the positions of the holes are compatibility criteria.
Finishes and corrosion resistance are selected based on exposure. Replacing a lock with a similarly sized plate does not guarantee that the lock case and locking points will match.
Why its installation must be careful
The faceplate must fit in place without obstructing the door leaf's movement. A poor fit, deformation, or inappropriate screws may cause friction and disrupt the mechanism.
The adjustments depend on the type of door material. On a technical façade, modifications must comply with the specific requirements of this equipment.
What to do if it's damaged?
If a screw no longer holds, its fixing surface needs checking. After an impact or attempted break-in, damage may affect the faceplate, lock case, bolts and frame.
Replacing the plate alone is only possible if the design and available parts allow it. The diagnosis determines whether the fixings should be repaired, the door adjusted, or the mechanism replaced.
IN IMAGES
MULTISECU ADVICE
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