What door hardware do you need and where do doorknobs have many functions that can be used for various applications such as doors in closets, bathrooms, and doors outside? Here's a quick overview of each type, and its uses.
Keyed Access Doorknobs, Levers, And Doorknobs
Exterior doors are often fitted with keyed entry or entrance knobs. The inside design of a keyed doorknob can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. On the left, you can see a keyed locking cylinder on its outside. The knob's inside has a push-button lock that opens when it is turned. Some brands of door hardware may have a button that can be turned to unlock the knob.
What They Are Used For: Keyed front doorknobs are typically used on the exterior doors to the home, garage, and door between the garage/home. You'll need a deadbolt for any doors that have large holes drilled in them.
Hall And Closet Doorknobs
Passage doorknobs do not lock. They don't have locking buttons or keyed keys, as seen in the illustration.
Their Use: The closet, hall, and passage doorknobs can be found in laundry rooms, closets, and other rooms that do not require privacy locks.
Privacy Or Bed And Bath Doorknobs
Privacy/bed and bathroom Emtek door knobs can vary depending on the manufacturer. On the left, you can see a pinhole in the exterior and a push-button lock inside. This locks when the knob is turned. Some brands of door hardware may have a turn button at the knob, which must be unlocked manually. You can unlock your bathroom knobs or bedknobs using a generic key. This key is inserted into either the pinhole or rosette of the knob.
Where They Can Be Found: Privacy knobs can be found in bathrooms, bedrooms, and any other place where privacy is desired. But a keyed lock or key is not required.
Dummy Knobs
Dummy buttons are one-sided. Manufacturers will have different mounting methods. They can be surface mounted or mounted behind cabinets like a cabinet knob. They are sold in pairs, or double dummies because they are commonly used with double doors.
Use Them Where They're Needed: Dummy knobs are most commonly used on shallow closet doors. Shallow closets do not have enough space to store your belongings and need a knob to let you out. These closets are usually equipped with a magnet catch or ball catch at their top to keep it closed when not being used. Also, on the inactive end of french doors, you can use dummy doorknobs. This guide will cover French doors more in detail.
Single And Double Cylinder Deadbolts
Deadbolts lock the door using a thick throw bolt. It is inserted in the jamb. Available in single-cylinder or double-cylinder versions, deadbolts can be purchased. Single Cylinder deadbolts are equipped with a keyed, outside-facing cylinder and a thumb turn to lock or unlock the doors on the interior. Double Cylinder Deadbolts are equipped with a keyed mechanism on both ends.
Uses:
Single Cylinder Deadbolts should be used in conjunction with a keyed exterior doorknob, or lever handle. Single Cylinder deadbolts have a key on both the outside and inside but are not locked.
Double-Cylinder Deadbolts with keys can be unlocked or locked on one side only. This is a good choice for doors with glass because an intruder cannot unlock the door even though the glass is broken. This is not an option that is recommended for exterior doors. If there was an emergency, the occupants would have had to search for keys before they could escape.
