Why does a door latch have two parts?

The main latch is supposed to fall into the strike hole on the door frame, the little part is supposed to sit on the surface of the strike (not fall into the hole). This feature is meant to keep someone from retracting the latch from the outside of the door with a credit card or other device.

Do exterior doors come with hardware?

If you’re purchasing an exterior door, you may have noticed that all the hardware is often not included.

How did people open doors without door knobs?

Before door knobs and handles were invented, people used a bolt or a lock to keep a door shut. Only the wealthy could afford a lock and key. Most people used a latch-string – making a small hole in a door and threading a leather thong or string through, which could then be looped around a wooden bar.

What is a dead latch?

A deadlatch is a type of lock that can automatically lock itself without needing a key or a knob to move the blot in place. Essentially, it contains its own security latch which can immediately lock itself as soon as you close your door. A key must be used to unlock the door from the inside.

Can you replace an exterior door without replacing the frame?

To replace a door without replacing the frame, you will have to chisel out the cutouts for the hinges in the new door, based on the position of hinges in the old door. The same is true for preparing the holes where you will install the deadbolt and the handle.

What is the best exterior door for insulation?

Best Energy Efficient Exterior Doors

Fiberglass Exterior Doors. Fiberglass is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.
Vinyl Doors. Vinyl is another energy efficient door material.
Steel Doors. Steel doors are also energy efficient as steel is a good thermal insulator.
Wooden Doors.
Glass and Weatherstripping.

What is most popular door hardware finish?

Satin chrome is the best-selling finish for commercial facilities. Satin Chrome offers a contemporary look and feel that doesn’t stand out too much and fits in with most styles.

What is the difference between a door knob and a door handle?

A door handle or door knob is used to open or close a door. A door handle is a lever operated device while a door knob usually is shaped like a globe or, in some older homes, an oval. A tight grip is not required to operate a door handle.

What do you need to know about door hardware?

The most important thing you need to know before shopping for door hardware is how your doors are already prepped. Backset – The measurement from the bore hole to the edge of the door. Some door hardware comes with an adjustable backset, some you have to specify what you need.

Why are there two bore holes in my front door?

If your door has two or three bore holes, it’s almost certainly an exterior door. In this case, you’ll likely appreciate an even greater level of security and additional convenience features. Simply put, the top hole in a double bore hole door is for your deadbolt and the bottom is for your knob or lever.

What happens if you order the wrong door hardware?

If you order the incorrect door handing you will either have locks on the wrong side of the door, levers that are upside down, or levers that point in the wrong direction and keep the door from closing properly. Please refer to the illustration below to determine which handing your will need before ordering your door hardware.

What’s the average thickness of exterior door hardware?

Most interior doors are 1 3/8″ thick. Exterior doors are often 1 3/4″ thick. Most door hardware manufacturers make their products to fit these standard thicknesses. If you have a thicker door, please contact Direct Door Hardware.