Yale Locks Explained: Types, Security Ratings & How to Choose
By Iulian H., Lead Locksmith · Updated
Yale is a family of lock products, not one lock: nightlatches, euro cylinders, mortice deadlocks and smart locks, each suited to a different door. On a timber front door the UK combination insurers expect is a Kitemarked BS 3621 nightlatch plus a BS 3621 five-lever mortice deadlock. On a uPVC or composite door, fit a TS007 3-star anti-snap euro cylinder in the existing multi-point mechanism. A plain nightlatch on its own does not meet most UK home insurance requirements. City Locksmith London fits and upgrades all four types across Greater London: lock change from £69 labour, fresh lock installation from £89 per hour and smart lock fitting from £129 per hour, all ex VAT.
A Brief History of Yale Locks
The Yale name has been synonymous with security for over 175 years. Founded in the 1840s by Linus Yale Sr. - himself a skilled locksmith - the company was propelled to global recognition when his son, Linus Yale Jr., patented the pin tumbler lock in 1861. This deceptively simple but highly effective mechanism became the foundation for the modern cylinder lock and remains in widespread use today.
From that single invention, Yale has grown into one of the world’s most trusted lock manufacturers, continuously developing new products across every segment of the security market.
What Are the Different Types of Yale Locks?
Yale makes four main categories of lock for UK homes. The right choice depends on your door material, existing hardware, and insurer requirements.
| Lock Type | Door Type | Key Standard | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightlatch (rim lock) | Timber | BS3621 / BS8621 | Secondary convenience lock |
| Five-lever mortice deadlock | Timber | BS3621 | Primary security lock |
| Euro cylinder (anti-snap) | uPVC / composite / aluminium | TS007 3-star | Multi-point locking system |
| Smart lock | All types | BS3621 or TS007 3-star | Keyless / app-controlled entry |
What Is a Yale Nightlatch (Rim Lock)?
The nightlatch - often simply called “a Yale” - is the lock most people picture when they hear the name. It is surface-mounted on the inside face of the door. A spring-loaded latch bolt clicks into the strike plate when the door closes, locking automatically. A small cylinder on the outside takes the familiar flat Yale key.
Security reality: A standard nightlatch can be “loided” (slipped with a card or thin tool) and its spring latch offers little resistance to a determined attacker. It should always be used alongside a deadlock, not as the sole lock on an external door.
Insurance-grade nightlatches: Yale produces Kitemarked BS 3621 nightlatches, including the BS1 Max Security Nightlatch, which is Secured by Design approved and supplied with a TS007-rated rim cylinder and a reinforced escutcheon. The retail PBS1 and PBS2 versions are the same lock in 60mm and 40mm backsets. A BS 3621 nightlatch paired with a BS 3621 five-lever mortice deadlock satisfies most UK insurer requirements for timber front doors.
Check which edition is stamped on the lock. BSI withdrew BS 3621:2007+A2:2012 in 2017 and the current edition is BS 3621:2017+A1:2024, so a policy that names a specific edition is worth reading closely before you buy.
What Is a Yale Cylinder Lock?
When fitted to uPVC, composite, or aluminium doors, the cylinder sits inside a multi-point locking system. Turning the key throws multiple bolts simultaneously - typically a deadbolt, hook bolts, and mushroom cams - making forced entry very difficult when the lock is fully engaged.
Anti-snap cylinders: Snapping is the most common attack on euro cylinders. A burglar applies force to snap the outer section of the cylinder off, then manipulates the remaining part to open the door in seconds. The Yale Platinum 3-star cylinder is built with a sacrificial snap line: the outer section breaks away cleanly while the inner locking section remains secure and operational. The Superior is a 1-star cylinder covering anti-pick, anti-bump and anti-drill, and reaches the same snap-resistant standard only when combined with a TS007 2-star security handle, not through a sacrificial section of its own.
TS007 3-star: the UK specification written specifically to stop cylinder snapping, developed by the Door & Hardware Federation and the Glass and Glazing Federation with Secured by Design, the police crime prevention initiative. A compliant cylinder must resist five attacks: picking, drilling, bumping, snapping and plug extraction. You get to three stars either with a single 3-star cylinder or a 1-star cylinder plus a 2-star handle or escutcheon. Most UK insurers accept a 3-star solution on non-timber doors in place of BS 3621. See our overview of security door and window lock types and our guide to high-security locks for the full breakdown.
What Is a Yale Mortice Lock?
A mortice lock is fitted inside a pocket (mortice) cut into the edge of the door. The bolt is not spring-loaded: you must turn the key to lock and unlock it. A five-lever mortice deadlock certified to BS3621 is the benchmark for timber door security in the UK and is required by most home insurers.
Yale’s mortice range includes both deadlocks (bolt only) and sash locks (bolt plus latch in one case). The five-lever mechanism means a burglar must pick all five levers simultaneously to open it - a significantly harder task than a standard nightlatch.
When to use it: Timber front and rear doors. A BS3621 five-lever mortice deadlock, used alongside a BS3621 nightlatch, gives you both security and everyday convenience on a wooden door.
What Yale Smart Locks Are Available in the UK?
Yale’s smart lock range offers keyless entry without sacrificing insurance compliance when specified correctly:
- Yale Conexis L2 - replaces the handle on most inward-opening, lift-to-lock uPVC and composite doors. Entry by key tag, the Yale keypad accessory or the app; no key cylinder on the outside. Yale lists it as Secured by Design approved and BSI IoT Kitemark certified. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, not Apple Home.
- Yale Linus Smart Lock L2 - retrofits on the inside over an existing thumbturn cylinder, so your key still works from outside. The fingerprint keypad is a separate accessory. A January 2025 firmware update added Matter over Wi-Fi, which brought Apple Home and SmartThings alongside Alexa and Google Home.
- Yale Linus Smart Lock L2 Lite - the cheaper retrofit, on UK sale from late January 2026 at a list price of about £130. It uses Matter over Thread, so it needs a Thread border router (a recent HomePod or Echo, for example) and the Yale Wi-Fi bridge for remote control through Yale’s own app.
Yale’s Assure series, an integrated keypad deadbolt, is sold in North America and other markets but not in the UK. Neither Linus model supports Apple Home Key, and a retrofit smart lock does not change the rating of the cylinder underneath it: if your insurer specifies TS007 3-star, the cylinder still has to carry it. For a detailed comparison, see our guide to the best smart locks for UK homes.
How Do I Choose the Right Yale Lock?
Which Yale Lock Does My Door Need?
Match the lock to the door material first:
- Timber front door - Yale BS3621 nightlatch at the top of the door, Yale BS3621 five-lever mortice deadlock at mid-height. Both locks must be used to satisfy insurers.
- uPVC or composite door - Yale anti-snap euro cylinder rated TS007 3-star in the existing multi-point locking system. The latch alone does not lock the door - always turn the key after closing.
- Rear timber door - Yale mortice sashlock (combined bolt and latch) or a cylinder deadlock, plus a nightlatch if desired.
- Garage or outbuilding - Yale hardened steel closed-shackle padlock rated for the risk level.
- Technology-forward home - Yale Linus L2 or Conexis L2 for app-based entry, verifying insurance compliance before fitting.
For further guidance on selecting the right product for your door, our security door and window lock types page covers all common UK lock standards in detail.
What Security Rating Should I Look For?
| Standard | What it covers | Current edition |
|---|---|---|
| BS 3621 | Thief-resistant single-point locks needing a key to lock from both sides. The timber-door insurance baseline. | BS 3621:2017+A1:2024 (BSI) |
| BS 8621 | The same test but with keyless egress inside. Common in flats and HMOs where escape matters. | BS 8621:2017+A1:2024 (BSI) |
| TS007 | Star rating for replacement euro cylinders and the handle or escutcheon around them. | TS007-1:2024 (DHF and GGF) |
| Sold Secure SS312 | Cylinder attack test carried out on the cylinder alone, with no protective handle. Diamond is the top grade and is treated as equivalent to 3-star. | Diamond 2024 (Sold Secure) |
| PAS 24 | Attack test for complete doorsets and windows, not for a lock on its own. Sits behind Approved Document Q in England. | PAS 24:2022+A1:2024 (BSI) |
| Secured by Design | The UK police “Police Preferred Specification” awarded to products that pass the relevant test. | Ongoing scheme |
The Kitemark is the BSI mark confirming independent testing to a stated standard. On a mortice lock it is stamped on the forend, the metal strip on the edge of the door, and is visible when the door is open. On a euro cylinder, look for the Kitemark and three stars on the cylinder body itself.
Iulian H., lead locksmith at City Locksmith London, says: “We check what is stamped on the lock before quoting, because an insurer will look at the same marking after a claim - the words on the box are not the rating.”
How Do I Fit a Yale Lock?
Swapping a Yale Euro Cylinder
- Open the door and locate the single fixing screw along the edge of the door (usually on the face plate).
- Loosen - do not remove - the fixing screw by about half a turn.
- Insert the key, turn it slightly to align the cam, and slide the cylinder straight out.
- Measure the old cylinder: the size is expressed as the distance from the fixing hole to each end (e.g. 35/45mm). Use these measurements to buy the correct replacement.
- Insert the new cylinder, turn the key slightly to align the cam, slide it fully home.
- Tighten the fixing screw. Test the lock with the door open before closing.
Do not over-tighten the fixing screw - distorting the cylinder body will cause the lock to bind.
Fitting a Yale Nightlatch
- Mark the backplate position on the inside face of the door at approximately shoulder height.
- Drill the hole for the cylinder through the door face using the template provided.
- Feed the connecting bar through from the cylinder on the outside; attach the backplate case on the inside.
- Fit the strike plate to the door frame, ensuring the latch bolt engages cleanly.
- Test the latch and deadlocking action before fixing everything fully.
When to Call a Professional
If the door or frame is damaged, if you are fitting a new mortice lock (which requires cutting a mortice pocket), or if you are installing a smart lock and want to preserve your insurance cover, a professional locksmith will guarantee correct fitting and alignment. Our door lock installation service covers all Yale lock types across London, and our guide to the best front door locks for UK homes compares Yale against the other brands sold here. You can also find transparent pricing on our locksmith price list.
How Much Does It Cost to Change a Yale Lock in London?
City Locksmith London charges from £69 labour for a standard lock change and from £89 per hour for a fresh lock installation. Smart lock fitting starts from £129 per hour. Parts (the replacement cylinder or lock case) are additional. All prices exclude VAT at 20%. We offer free quotes and charge no call-out fee.
For a full breakdown, see our locksmith price list.
Yale Lock Maintenance
Keep your Yale locks performing reliably:
- Lubricate the cylinder - Use graphite powder, not oil. Oil attracts dirt and causes cylinders to seize. Apply a small amount directly into the keyway every six to twelve months.
- Clean the exterior - Wipe the lock body with a soft dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners on satin nickel or chrome finishes.
- Check and tighten fixings - Door vibration loosens screws over time. Check the fixing screw on any cylinder and the backplate screws on a nightlatch annually.
- Test regularly - Operate the lock with the key once a month to catch stiffness before it becomes a fault.
- Replace ageing cylinders - A cylinder more than ten years old, or one that shows pitting, stiffness, or key wear, should be upgraded. Newer Yale models carry significantly improved anti-snap and anti-pick features.
Need Help Fitting or Upgrading a Yale Lock?
Whether you need a standard cylinder swap, a BS3621 nightlatch upgrade, or a full Yale smart lock installation, City Locksmith London provides professional lock change services across all London boroughs. Fully insured and DBS-checked, available 24/7, and typically on site within 25 minutes. No call-out fee, free quotes.
Contact a locksmith for advice on the right Yale product for your door and budget.