Door Locks and Latches Frequently Asked Questions - Doorware.com

1. Q. How do I determine the handing for a lock?
2. Q. What is a reversible lock?
3. Q. What is Backset and how do I determine the backset for a door lock?
4. Q. What do the different lock functions mean?
5. Q. What is a active and inactive door in a set of double doors (pair of doors)?
6. Q. What is the thickness of a standard door?
7. Q. What do the keying options on your web site mean?
8. Q. What is the meaning of a single and double cylinder?
9. Q. What is a tubular latch or tubular lock?
10. Q. What is a dead locking latch bolt?
11. Q. What is a mortise latch or mortise lock?
12. Q. What is a strike?

Note: The door hardware trade term Lock or Locksets is not just referring to a hardware item that has a cylinder and uses a key. It is a general term for Door Knobs, Door Levers, Handlesets and Deadbolts that latch (hold closed) and/or lock.

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1. Q. How do I determine the handing for a lock?
A. To determine the handing of a door lock, stand Outside the room or building facing the door.
If the hinges are on the left side of the door, the door is Left Hand (LH).
If the hinges are on the right side, the door is Right Hand (RH).



2. Q. What is a reversible lock?
A. A lock which by reversing the latch bolt, may be used by either hand door (left or right).


3. Q. What is Backset and how do I determine the backset for a door lock?
A. Measure from the edge of door to the center of the bore hole or the lock body that you are replacing. Most backsets are either 2-3/8" or 2-3/4".





4. Q. What do the different lock functions mean?
A. Lock functions control the flow of people through a building. Here are a few examples.
• Keyed Entry or Entry Lock: Uses a key to open the lock from the outside so you can gain entry to space. Some entry locks use cards or push buttons instead of keys.
• Privacy: Locks but has access to unlock from the outside via a small hole or slot to insert a simple tool. Privacy locks do not offer security. Used on bedroom and bathroom doors.
• Patio: Lock from the inside and block entry from the outside. They can not be unlocked from the outside. Note: Do not use Patio function lock on balcony doors where it is the only way into the building.
• Passage: Latches door closed and does not lock. Used on hall and closet doors.
• Dummy: Single Dummy for one side of door. Double Dummy for both sides of door. Used as a door pull or for matching trim. Most commonly used on the inactive door on double doors.

Additional Commercial Lock functions.
• Storeroom: Outside lever/knob fixed, entry by key only. Inside lever/knob always unlocked.
• Classroom: Outside lever/knob locked and unlocked by key. Inside lever/knob always unlocked
• Store Entry Double Cylinder Lock: Keyed cylinder in both Outside and Inside knobs. Key in either knob locks or unlocks both at the same time - for Entry doors with glass near the lock including inside office rooms that require security.
• Communicating Double Cylinder Lock: Keyed cylinder in both Outside and Inside knobs. Key unlocks its own knob independently - for doors that require Keyed security on both sides.
• Institutional Double Cylinder Lock: Both knobs are Fixed with Keyed cylinder in both Outside and Inside knobs. Entrance by Key in either knob - for doors that require Keyed security on both sides.


5. Q. What is a active and inactive door in a set of double doors (pair of doors)?
A. The active door is the one that opens first and to which the lock is applied. The inactive door opens only after the active door and is locked in place with Flush Door Bolts or Surface Mounted Door Bolts.


6. Q. What is the thickness of a standard door?
A. In the U.S. most doors are 1-3/8" or 1-3/4" thick. Most standard door hardware is manufactured to fit 1-3/8" - 2" thick doors. Some manufacturers have extension kits, or will build a lock to fit a thickness over 2 inches. A typical residential interior door is 1-3/8" thick and an exterior door is 1-3/4" thick. Interior and exterior commercial doors are usually 1-3/4" thick.


7. Q. What do the keying options on your web site mean?
A. You can choose how you want your locks to be keyed.
•Keyed Alike: If you buy more than one lock, they can all work with the same key.
•Keyed Different: Each lock will have it's own key that will not fit the others.
•Non Keyed: Select this option for non keyed Functions (Ex: Privacy. Passage, Dummy)
Also see: Lock Keying for information of Master keying and other options.


8. Q. What is the meaning of a single and double cylinder?
•Single Cylinder: Is controlled by a key on the outside and a turn knob on the inside.
•Double cylinder: is controlled by a key on both the outside and inside. Normally used where you have glass next to the lock, as it can be broken and unlock if a turn knob was there.


9. Q. What is a tubular latch or tubular lock?
A. This is the most common type of latch/lock found on doors in the U.S. They are used on most standard pre-drilled factory doors. You may not recognize the entire part, but the Latch Bolt should look familiar to you, as it sticks out the edge of a door.




10. Q. What is a dead locking latch bolt?
A. A higher security latch bolt incorporating a plunger that is held in a retracted position when the door is closed, preventing it from being slipped open (by a credit card). Usually on keyed levers and knobs.




11. Q. What is a mortise latch or mortise lock?
A. A lock designed to fit in a cavity that is approximately 7" long by 2" to 6" deep in the edge of door.


12. Q. What is a strike?
A. A metal plate that receives the door bolt or latch when the door is closed. Strike Plates come in many shapes, styles and sizes for different applications.

We are asked this question regularly. The answer to this cannot be summarized in one sentence. There are many suppliers of cylinder locks, of good or less good quality. It is not always easy for you as a consumer to judge what the best cylinder lock is for you. In this blog we will therefore explain to you step by step why Door Cylinder Locks also has the best cylinder lock in its range for you.

Why does Door Cylinder Locks choose Pfaffenhain?

Door-cylinder locks is part of Postma and Postma in Alkmaar: the specialist in the field of keys, locks and security since . Over the past 60 years, we have closely followed developments in the field of security locks and cylinders.

We have had Pfaffenhain cylinder locks in our range since the early s. We have been very satisfied with these security cylinders for 30 years. It is a solid cylinder lock with an excellent price-quality ratio. We stand 100% behind this German quality product, because we have already provided thousands of satisfied customers with these cylinder locks.

What requirements should a good cylinder lock meet?

You initially use a good cylinder lock to open and lock the door yourself. For others it should be impossible to enter without a key. If a cylinder has an SKG star quality mark, we call it a security cylinder. This cylinder lock has several properties that make it difficult to manipulate or break open. An SKG 3*** cylinder meets the following points, which significantly reduce the risk of burglary:

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• Protection against nuclear pulling.
• Protection against the knock method.
• Protection against drilling.
• Equipped with the Police Quality Mark for Safe Living (PKVW).

For example, an SKG 2** security cylinder is not equipped with core pulling protection. Because core pulling is now a commonly used method for burglary, we always recommend installing an SKG 3-star cylinder or using SKG 3*** security fittings. This door fitting is already equipped with core pull protection.

Why is a Pfaffenhain security cylinder a good choice for you?

Pfaffenhain produces several lines within its range. All cylinders have the SKG star quality mark. You can also opt for a keyed alike or certified cylinder. This is a cylinder with a security certificate or key card that you must always show if you want to order an additional key. Because it is not possible to make an additional key without a card, you as a card holder know exactly how many keys are in circulation.

Whether it concerns profile cylinders , knob cylinders or half cylinders , Pfaffenhain has them in its range. At Door Cylinder Locks you will find the door cylinder that meets all your requirements.

Why order your Pfaffenhain cylinder from Door Cylinder Locks?

Deur-cilinderslots.nl is part of Postma and Postma in Alkmaar. All cylinder sizes, single or keyed alike, are available from stock. If you place your order before 3 p.m., it will be shipped the same day. It is always possible to order additional keys. Would you like to order an extra keyed alike cylinder at a later time? Then you can do this very easily in our webshop. During the ordering process, check the keyed alike box and indicate the key number in the notes box.

Do you have any questions or would you like advice about your future door cylinder? Please feel free to contact us, we are happy to help you! Deur-cilinderslots.nl also has the best cylinder lock for you. It is not without reason that customers rate us with an average of 9.3!

Want more information on Door Cylinder Lock Supplier? Feel free to contact us.