Escutcheons

Aged Brass 30mm Round Escutcheon, from our current range.

What is an escutcheon?

An escutcheon is a small cover plate fitted around a keyhole or euro cylinder on a door. Its main job is to tidy the appearance of the surrounding woodwork and protect it from wear caused by the key, but escutcheons also come in security-rated versions, designed to resist drilling, picking and other forced-entry attempts on cylinder locks.

Escutcheons are sold in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from simple round or oval plates for a traditional mortice lock keyhole, to euro profile escutcheons sized specifically for cylinder locks on uPVC and composite doors.

Where escutcheons are used

• Mortice lock doors – a simple round or oval escutcheon covers the keyhole on either side of a timber door fitted with a mortice lock
• uPVC and composite doors – euro escutcheons cover the cylinder and are sized specifically to the cylinder profile
• High security applications – security-rated escutcheons add anti-drill and anti-pick protection over a euro cylinder, often specified for insurance purposes
• Concealed fixing doors – concealed escutcheons are used where a cleaner, screw-free appearance is wanted

Choosing the right escutcheon

A few practical points are worth checking before you buy:

• Lock type – check whether your door uses a mortice lock keyhole or a euro cylinder, as these need different escutcheon shapes
• Security rating – if security is a priority, look for an escutcheon specifically rated to resist drilling and picking, sold alongside locks and cylinders
• Fixed vs concealed – concealed fixing escutcheons give a neater finish but can be more involved to fit
• Finish – escutcheons are usually bought to match the rest of a door's furniture; see our Hardware Finishes Guide

Related products

Browse our current range of Escutcheons, Pulls & Thumbturns, or see the related categories in our Door Furniture Guide and Locks & Security Guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an escutcheon if I already have a lever handle on a backplate?

No, if your lever handle sits on a backplate that already covers the keyhole or cylinder, a separate escutcheon is not usually needed. Escutcheons are mainly used with lever on rose handles or pull handles, where the keyhole is otherwise left exposed.

What's a security escutcheon?

A security escutcheon is a reinforced version fitted over a euro cylinder, designed to resist drilling, snapping and picking attempts. These are often specified alongside anti-snap cylinders for higher security doors.

How do I know what size escutcheon I need?

This depends on your lock type: mortice lock escutcheons are sized to the keyhole, while euro escutcheons need to match your cylinder's profile and projection. Check your existing lock or cylinder before ordering, or get in touch and we can help.

Back to the Door Furniture Guide, or explore the full Knowledge Centre.