Deadbolts, Levers and Knobs 101

It seems more often than not I have members standing in front of me, holding a lock set manufacturers catalogue with a lost and confused look on their face. Now, this blog may not help you to understand the catalogue 100% but it may help you to understand the different terms and basics of ordering lock sets, etc.

When ordering handsets for your front and/or back door, you must not only choose the exterior handle set but you must also choose the interior lever or knob when placing orders. They are priced separate in all catalogue price lists but must be ordered as one singular line item

Double cylinder deadbolts

will not pass fire inspection in Canada, so if you are building or renovating and will need to pass an inspection, you will not. Because of the key being needed for both sides, a double cylinder can be a hazard if there was a fire.
Single cylinder is the way to go!!



When choosing interior levers always remember, if it has a lock on it you will need to determine the handing ( this is also needed with entry sets). If it is a knob this is not necessary. Easy rule of thumb whatever side the hinges are on is the handing

Left Hinge =  Left handing  
Right Hinge = Right handing   


Keyed alike - Pretty much all our suppliers will key all the locks alike if requested when the order is placed and will even key to existing locks if you are willing to send a key in with the order!!


A mortise lock is one that requires a pocket—the mortise—to be cut into the door or piece of furniture into which the lock is to be fitted. They are widely used on all ages of domestic properties in Europe.
Although the installation of a mortise lock actually weakens the structure of the typical timber door, it is stronger and more versatile than a bored cylindrical lock, both in external trim, and functionality.





A bored cylindrical lock is one in which two holes are bored, perpendicular to one another, into the door. A large hole is bored into the door face and a smaller cross bore hole is bored into the door edge, as opposed to a mortise lock prep cut into the edge of the door. Typically, the face hole is sized from 1.5 inches to 2.125 inches (3.8 to 5.4 cm) and is centered at 2.375 inches or 2.75 inches (6.0 cm or 7.0 cm) from the leading edge of the door, this distance is referred to as the back set. Other, less popular, back sets are at 3.75 and 5 inches (9.5 and 12.7 cm). Residential doors are normally prepared for a 2.375 inch (6.0 cm) back set and commercial doors at a 2.75 inch (7 cm) back set..






BACK SET

Back set is the distance from center edge of door to center of the

2-1/8" (54mm) diameter hole, 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" in most cases