Cylinders and Cores

Cylinders and cores are essential for commercial door hardware, delivering both security and access control. Although often confused, a cylinder refers to the complete locking assembly, while a core is where the key is inserted.

What Are Cylinders and Cores?

Cylinders and cores are important components of locking mechanisms in commercial settings. The cylinder encompasses the entire locking assembly, including the core, which is the component that interacts with the key. Understanding the difference between these elements is essential for selecting the right hardware to meet your security needs.

Together, cylinders and cores work to deliver reliable locking solutions, improving safety and accessibility in various environments, such as office buildings and retail spaces.

Features of Cylinders and Cores

Cylinders and cores come with a range of features that make them suitable for commercial use:

  • Versatility: Available in different configurations, including key-in, mortise, rim, and thumb-turn cylinders, allowing for various applications.
  • Interchangeability: Interchangeable cores (IC) enable quick rekeying without removing the entire lock, enhancing security and convenience.
  • Durability: Constructed from high-quality materials, these components are designed to withstand heavy use in high-traffic areas.
  • Better Security: The concealed design of mortise cylinders provides a significant security advantage, while rim cylinders offer easy access during emergencies.

Explore the Best Selling Cylinders and Cores at Qualitydoor.com

Qualitydoor.com offers an extensive selection of cylinders and cores from premium brands like Yale, Schlage, and Sargent, allowing users access to reliable, and high-end options. Some of the top-rated types of cylinders and cores available include:

Each of these components is made from premium quality materials and is available in various finishes and configurations. Explore our catalog now to find the products that best meet your security needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

All key cylinders are not the same. There are a variety of cylinders available such as key-in cylinders, mortise cylinders, rim cylinders, and thumb-turn cylinders. Depending on your situation, one type of cylinder may be better than another type of cylinder.

A mortise cylinder is often used with a mortise lock or locking devices that require a cam. The term mortise refers to a hole or recess cut into the door. Mortise cylinders have threaded housings and simply screw into the locking mechanism. The cams on the rear of the cylinder vary in size, so be sure to use the right one for your locking mechanism.

The term cylinder refers to the entire assembly of the lock, which is the cylinder housing and the core. The core is the part of the lock where you insert the key. The core also contains pins that adjust as a key is inserted into the lock. Cores can be interchangeable (IC core) or standard. Locksmiths can quickly swap out interchangeable cores with a master key.

Locksmiths can most certainly rekey a cylinder. Depending on your cylinder, they can either replace the removable core using a control key or repin your core to accept a new key. Locksmiths can replace both large-format and small-format interchangeable core cylinders.

A mortise is a hole, and a mortise cylinder or lock is installed in this recess along the side of the door. A tubular lock utilizes cylindrical pieces installed via matching cylindrical holes in the door.