Locks and Prehang

Locking Systems

The locking system is an important part of any high quality external door. We use Winkhaus multipoint locking systems across our range of bespoke timber doors, choosing the lock to suit the style of door, the ironmongery and how the door will be used.

For many years, Winkhaus has been our preferred locking system for its security, reliability and suitability for solid timber doors.

Winkhaus AV4 Automatic Multipoint Lock

For doors fitted with long pull handles or traditional cylinder pulls, we generally recommend the Winkhaus AV4 automatic multipoint locking system.

When the door closes, multiple locking points automatically engage — there is no need to lift a lever handle to engage the multipoint locking system.

As well as providing security, the multiple locking points help hold the door evenly against the frame and weather seals. This is particularly important with solid timber doors, as timber is a natural material and can react to changes in temperature and humidity.

The AV4 is particularly well suited to contemporary entrance doors with long pull handles and traditional doors where a cylinder pull is preferred.

Winkhaus ML60 Multipoint Lock

For doors fitted with lever handles, we generally use the Winkhaus ML60 multipoint locking system.

The lever handle operates the multipoint locking mechanism, engaging locking points along the height of the door before the door is locked with the key.

This helps distribute the locking force along the door and hold it firmly against the frame and weather seals.

The ML60 is a strong, proven locking system and works particularly well with both traditional and contemporary lever handle designs.

What About Banham Locks?

We are sometimes asked whether we can fit Banham locks to our bespoke timber doors.

Banham is a well-known and highly regarded name in door security. However, for the doorsets we manufacture, our preference is to use a fully integrated Winkhaus multipoint locking system.

Depending on the Banham configuration chosen, security may be provided by a combination of separate locks. We prefer a locking system that operates at multiple points along the height of the door and is designed into the complete doorset from the outset.

It isn’t a case of Banham locks being poor quality, they certainly aren’t. We simply believe Winkhaus multipoint locking systems are better suited to the construction, weather sealing and everyday operation of our bespoke solid timber doors.

Winkhaus Stable Door Multipoint Locks

For our bespoke stable doors, we use specialist Winkhaus stable door multipoint locking systems designed specifically for this type of door.

A stable door has two independently opening sections, so the locking system needs to allow the top section to be opened while the lower section remains closed.

The Winkhaus system allows us to combine the flexibility of a traditional stable door with the benefits of modern multipoint locking and improved weather sealing.

Choosing the Right Lock for Your Door

We don’t believe one locking system is right for every door.

A contemporary front door with a 1200mm pull handle has very different design and operating requirements to a traditional panelled door with lever handles or a bespoke stable door.

That’s why we select the locking system around the door, the chosen ironmongery and how it will be used.

Pull handles or cylinder pulls usually Winkhaus AV4.

Lever handles usually Winkhaus ML60.

Stable doors specialist Winkhaus stable door multipoint locking system.

After more than 27 years of manufacturing bespoke timber doors, we choose components based on what we believe works best with our doors and Winkhaus multipoint locking systems remain our preferred choice.

Pre-hung Doorsets

Where ordered as a complete doorset, your door is prehung into its made-to-measure timber frame in our North Wales workshop.

The hinges, locking system and associated ironmongery are fitted and set up before the doorset leaves us. This allows us to check the operation of the door and locking system as part of the manufacturing process.

By manufacturing the door and frame together as a complete doorset, we can ensure the components are designed to work together from the outset.