Rim locks

Rim locks are locks that are placed on the door. Locks are usually incorporated into the door so that they are not visible. However, a surface-mounted lock is a lock that is placed on the inside of the door, on the door. Hence the name rim lock. The locks offer good security, especially if they have an SKG quality mark. If you are looking for rim locks for your door, you have come to the right place. We have various rim locks in our collection from well-known brands such as Nemef, Lips and Yale. With us you will find rim locks that have an SKG 2 star quality mark.

However, there are a number of differences between rim locks that you should pay close attention to when purchasing a rim lock. The most important things to pay attention to are the backset , direction of rotation and whether the lock has a fixed or loose outer cylinder . Below we will explain how to choose a rim lock.

Rim locks with fixed and loose cylinder

A distinction can be made between models with fixed and rim locks with a loose outer cylinder (tail cylinder). The models with a fixed cylinder form one fixed whole, with models with a separate cylinder the lock case and outer cylinder are only connected during installation.

If you are a little handy, you can easily install or replace a rim lock yourself, although it should be noted again that mounting a model with a fixed outer cylinder is easier than a model with a separate outer cylinder.

How do I determine the direction of rotation of my rim lock?

Rim locks are available in left and right-handed versions. This is because doors are hinged on both the left and right. This means that the door can open on both the left and the right. Front doors, for which rim locks are most commonly used, almost always open inwards so that people who ring the doorbell do not get the door in their face.

Left and right rim locks are not interchangeable because the bolts are the other way around when reversing (the latch bolt is always under the deadbolt at Yale and LIPS). So make sure you choose the correct direction of rotation when purchasing a rim lock. Fortunately, we can give you a helping hand.

A simple trick to determine the direction of rotation of the door - and therefore of the rim lock - is to stand on the inside side of the door, this is the side where you pull the door towards you when opening it. The side where the hinges are located determines the direction of the door.

Counterclockwise rotation

left when the door comes towards you , then the door opens to the left, we call this DIN Left or direction 1 (DR 1). If you have a left-handed door, the rim lock is on the right side of the door when the door comes towards you.

Clockwise rotation

right when the door comes towards you , then the door is clockwise, we call this DIN Right or direction 2 (DR 2). If you have a right-handed door, the rim lock is on the left side of the door when the door comes towards you.

Also feel free to look at the photos we have with the products when you choose the direction of the door in the selection menu. We have included the correct photos of the locks so that you can easily check whether the direction of rotation corresponds to the lock you already have on the door.

How do I determine the backset of my rim lock?

With a surface-mounted lock, measure the distance from the front plate of the lock (on the front side of the door if it is mounted) to the center (the center) of the cylinder barrel, which is the part where the key is inserted. The most common backset sizes are 50mm and 60mm. If the backset of the new lock differs from that of the old lock, a new hole must be made in the door for the outer cylinder.

NB! Make sure that you always measure the backset of a rim lock on the outside (street side) of the door. This is because there are also locks with an adjustable backset, where the backset of the inner and outer cylinder can differ. Measuring the outer cylinder is sometimes difficult if, for example, there is an anti-burglary strip on the door. In that case, remove the rim lock from the door to properly determine the size.

Core pulling protection

Core pulling is a very popular burglary method these days. Although in practice this technique is mainly applied to mortise locks (with profile cylinders), a rim lock (with tail cylinder) can also be forced in this way.

Anti-core pull rosettes for rim locks from the brands Lips, Nemef and Mauer have been on the market for some time now. These rosettes are from the Intersteel brand. The rosettes are only suitable for the locks of these brands and can be used on both the models with a loose and a fixed outer cylinder.

Tips when purchasing a rim lock

• It is best to choose an SKG-approved rim lock. These are not supplied by all brands. In addition to Lips, the most famous brand for rim locks, Nemef also has SKG-approved locks
• Pay attention to the direction of rotation: is it an inward or outward opening door; The lock is located on the inside left (DR 1) or right (DR 2) of the door.
• When replacing existing locks, it is very important to take the backset into account. If the backset does not match that of the old lock, you will probably experience visible damage next to the outer cylinder after installing the new lock (because the position of the outer cylinder changes in that case).
• To be sure, measure the backset on the outside of the door. If the lock to be replaced is a model with an adjustable backset, the dimensions of the inner and outer cylinder may differ. So always use the backset of the outer cylinder.
• Correctly measuring the backset can sometimes be difficult (for example if there is an anti-burglary strip on the door). If in doubt, it is best to unscrew the existing lock and remove it from the door to measure (in the case of a lock with a loose outer cylinder, replacing it again requires some skill).
• Some older (and often no longer available) locks have different backset sizes. If you are dealing with such a different size, the Lips, Necoloc and S2 models with adjustable backset (48mm to 62mm) will probably offer a solution. These are available at the professional hardware store, the lock store and via the internet.
• If you replace an existing lock, preferably use one of the same brand, as you will probably have to make the fewest adjustments.
• Preferably choose a lock with a fixed outer cylinder. These are the easiest to assemble. Please note that these are designed for doors with a maximum thickness of 40mm. If your door is much thicker (40mm or more), choose a lock with a separate outer cylinder.

You can buy your rim lock from Doorbeslag Expert

Are you not quite sure which lock you want to buy? Let our customer service advise you. We are happy to think along with you! Our customer service is available six days a week. Do you now know which lock you need? Then you can buy these easily and for a good price from Doorbeslag Expert, the expert in door fittings , hinges and locks and much more.