The Basics of Door Locks - Switching to igloohome

By igloohome | January 12, 2017

Door locks come in numerous designs, shapes and sizes. The features of each lock also differ depending on the need for the lock.

To boost your confidence on making the switch from your existing lock to the igloohome smart lock, we will:

  1. Provide an overview of the most common types of door locks in Singapore

  2. Share the installation options available when you make the switch to our smart lock

Common Types of Main Door Locks

Lock Type 1 - Mortice Lock

Photo credit: Hardwyn

The main door lock installed in most HDB flats and condominiums in Singapore is the mortice lock. The photo above shows what you are probably used to seeing.

The mortice lock requires a rectangular pocket (also known as the mortice) to be cut into the door so that the lock can be fitted into it.

This is what the lock looks like if it has not been installed into the door.

Photo credit: Home Depot

The mortice lock usually comes with a sprung latch on top (the triangular portion that retracts). It is often connected to a handle, so when you pull down on the handle, the latch retracts. Once you release the handle, the latch springs back into place. This latch holds the door in place after it is closed. (For easier understanding, you may want to refer to the first photo again.)

Below the sprung latch is the locking bolt (the rectangular piece that protrudes). When the door is locked with a key, the locking bolt protrudes to secure the door in its locked position. Even if you pull down on the handle, the locking bolt stays in place and the door remains closed.

In Singapore, one popular type of door set up (especially in new BTO flats and condominiums)  is a long handle bar and a mortice lock with a rounded latch. As the latch is rounded instead of triangular, the door can be pulled open from either the inside or the outside.

Long handle bar

Mortice lock with rounded latch

Lock Type 2 - Deadbolt

This lock works in a way that is similar to the locking bolt in the mortice lock (explained above). It is called a 'dead' bolt because there are no springs to operate the bolt. In other words, it does not automatically return to its original position (unlike the latch). The deadbolt can only be operated manually with a key, or a thumb turn from the inside.

Photo credit: Copper Creek Hardware

Since there is no spring in the deadbolt, the door would not automatically 'catch' close after you shut it. You have to hold the door close when you lock the door.

As such, while it is possible to use the deadbolt on its own, most people who use deadbolts on their main doors tend to install a separate handle/knob with a latch (photo below - deadbolt above, knob below). This ensures that when you shut the door without locking it, it stays shut.

Photo credit: Gater's Locksmith

Unlike the mortice lock which requires a rectangular pocket to be cut into the door, the deadbolt requires 2 cylindrical holes to be cut into the door (bored cylindrical mounting).

Photo credit: Gater's Locksmith

Lock Type 3 - Deadlatch

This type of lock works in a way that is similar to the latch in the mortice lock (explained above). As it is spring-loaded, the door is held in place once it is shut. However, unlike the mortice lock that requires an additional step of turning the bolt to lock the door, the deadlatch self-locks the door once the door is shut.

Photo credit: Kangeroo Point Locksmith

This type of lock is often attached on the door (rim mounting) instead of sitting inside the door like the mortice lock. A circular hole still needs to be cut into the door so that the keyhole can be accessed on the other side of the door.

Switching to the igloohome Smart Lock

Now that we have briefly introduced the most common types of main door locks, we take a look at the models our igloohome smart lock come in, and how you can make the switch from your existing lock to our smart lock.

Our igloohome smart lock comes in 2 models - the latch (photo on the left below) and the deadbolt (photo on the right below).

As explained in the different types of locks above, the latch comes with a built-in handle and springs back into place (self-locking) once the handle is released. The bolt does not come with a handle, and only protrudes or retracts when the lock is locked or unlocked.

Both models require 2 holes to be cut into the door. This is similar to that of the deadbolt mentioned above - bored cylindrical mounting.

We produced 2 models of the igloohome smart lock to suit the preferences of different customers. Also, the different models provide greater flexibility when it comes to switching from your existing lock to our smart lock. There is no difference in the software for both models.

The latch model locks automatically once the door is shut, whereas the bolt model does not - instead, there is an option to enable auto-relocking (when the bluetooth key or PIN code is used). You can configure the pre-set time before auto-relocking kicks in (5-120 seconds).

Next, we take a look at how to make the switch to an igloohome smart lock.

Making The Switch to igloohome

If You Have An Existing Mortice Lock

Install the igloohome smart lock (deadbolt model) above the existing lock. You will continue to use your existing handle, but our bolt will provide the locking mechanism. You can still use the existing locking mechanism on your mortice lock as a second layer of security when you are travelling.

Long handle bar with existing mortice

Existing mortice (back)

Existing mortice (front)

Replacing the existing lock with the igloohome smart lock at the same location is highly discouraged, as the entire rectangular pocket of the mortice lock needs to be patched back. This may compromise security.

If You Have An Existing Deadbolt

Replace the existing deadbolt with the igloohome smart lock (deadbolt model) at the same location - do note that this is subject to installation assessment (done after purchase), but it is usually a straightforward process to swap out the existing deadbolt with ours.

If You Have An Existing Latch

Replace the existing latch with the igloohome smart lock (latch model) at the same location - do note that this is subject to installation assessment (done after purchase), but it is usually a straightforward process to swap out the existing latch with ours.

If You Have A New Door

Install the igloohome smart lock (latch model) on your door, and it provides both the handle and the locking mechanism.

When you purchase our lock, we will request that you send us photos of your door so that we can assess your door and existing lock-set up. We will then highlight to you if there are any areas of concern. Otherwise, installation should proceed without a hitch!

So make the switch to our igloohome smart lock now!