Different Types of Door Locks

Passage Lockset

An interior lockset used inside the home in hallways or closets between rooms where privacy is not important.

Has two, non-locking knobs, one on each side of the door. Some models use levers instead of knobs.

Available in a wide variety of styles and finishes.

Privacy Lockset

An interior lockset.

Designed for privacy rather than for security

Has a locking button on the inside knob but no key device on the outside knob.

Can be either a knob or a lever.

In an emergency, the lock can be opened from the outside by inserting a narrow object through the small hole in the outside knob and either depressing or turning the locking mechanism inside, depending on the type of lock. "

Available in a wide variety of styles and finishes.

Dummy Knob

Used only for decoration or applications that do not need a latch

Has no latching mechanism and does not turn.

Available in a wide variety of styles and finishes.

Entry Lockset

Two doorknobs that can be locked from both the inside and the outside.

One type locks from the inside by turning or depressing a small button, while a key must unlock the outside knob.

Some models must be locked with a key on both the inside and outside.

In other models, only the inside knob can lock or unlock both sides of the set.

A medium security entrance-door lock.

A quality feature on entry locksets is a deadlatch.

Deadbolt Lock

Provides maximum security on a door.

Called “dead” because there are no springs to operate the bolt. It is only operated manually with a key or a thumb turn from the inside.

The bolt locks the door to the frame and helps prevent someone from prying the door open.

The throw is the length the bolt is extended from the lock housing. The industry standard is a 1” throw.

Locks are designed to fit specific size holes and backsets. Backset refers to the distance between the edge of the door and the center of the handle.

A single-cylinder deadbolt is operated with a key from the outside and with a turn button on the inside. It is used mostly with solid metal or wood doors.

A double-cylinder deadbolt is operated with a key on both the inside and outside. It is best used on a door with glass in or around them as the style prevents someone from breaking the glass, reaching in and unlocking the door.

Double-cylinder deadbolts can pose a danger during an emergency. If the key is missing or not readily available, people could be trapped inside a locked house. In some areas, codes may not permit this style of deadbolt.

Surface-Mounted Deadbolt

Squarish in shape and mounted on the surface of the inside of the door.

The bolt may be turned with a key or a turn knob.

Instead of sliding into the door frame, the bolt slides into a surface-mounted strike.

Mortise Lock

Consists of a flat, rectangular box that fits into a recess in the door from its edge. Also includes two faceplates that include the knobs and keyholes.

Available in right- or left-handed styles.

Has a pin tumbler locking mechanism in a cylinder.

Latch operates from either side except when the outside knob is locked.

Deadbolt operates by a turn of the inside knob.

A key from the outside operates both the deadbolt and latchbolt.

Used on many types of doors, from heavy entrance doors to apartment buildings and residential doors.