Gateman S170 Replaced with Schlage Resolute on an Aluminium Door

Old Gateman digital locks were once very popular in New Zealand, but replacing them is not always straightforward. One common issue is that there is currently no digital lock model in the NZ market that shares exactly the same drilling template as the old Gateman locks.

For this job, we replaced an old Gateman S170 with a Schlage Resolute smart lock, using a special 70mm-backset short mortise to achieve a tidy retrofit.

Note: Standard Schlage Resolute will not work for Gateman lock replacement as it comes with 60mm-backset long mortise. 

A Smarter Retrofit Solution

Because the existing door had already been drilled for the Gateman S170, a standard replacement lock would not line up perfectly. Without the right solution, this could leave visible holes or require extra plates to cover the old cut-outs.

By using a special 70mm-backset short mortise, we were able to cover the existing bore holes with only minor additional drilling to the door, compared with other replacement options.

The Schlage Resolute sits slightly lower than the original Gateman lock, but on this aluminium door, the result was clean and tidy with no painting touch-up required.

For timber doors, the result may be slightly different. If the area underneath the old lock was not painted, some paint touch-up may be needed after the replacement.

Why Professional Installation Is Required

This 70mm-backset short mortise is not available in our online store. It is not designed for DIY installation or inexperienced installers.

There is no drilling template available for this mortise, so correct positioning and preparation are extremely important. A small mistake can easily damage the door or leave the new lock sitting incorrectly.

For this type of Gateman replacement, professional installation is strongly recommended.

The Schlage Resolute provides a fresh new look, while the special mortise helps solve one of the most common issues when replacing old Gateman locks in New Zealand.