FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

How to HAND A DOOR?

If you are standing on the OUTSIDE of the door looking at it and: 

The door swings in and to the left, it is a Left Hand door.
The door swings out and to the left, it is a Left Hand Reverse Bevel door.
The door swings in and to the right, it is a Right Hand door. 
The door swings out and to the right, it is a Right Hand Reverse Bevel door. 

What is a BACKSET:

In the U.S. there are two common backsets for residential locks, 2-3/8" and 2-3/4". The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the 2-1/8" bore hole (refer to diagram on the right). Dummy sets have no latch and are surface mounted so you can install a dummy set wherever you choose on the door.

What is the Door Preparation for PASSAGE, PRIVACY, KEY-IN-KNOB OR LEVER, AND DEADBOLT LOCKS:

Step 1.  Refer to the images shown to the left and right for reference.
Step 2.  Bore a 2-1/8" hole through the door. The center of this hole should be located 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" back from the edge of the door (this is the backset dimension).
Step 3.  Bore a 1" hole in the edge of the door located on the centerline of the 2-1/8" hole. The latch will fit into the 1" hole. Chisel out a 1" by 2-1/4" rectangle on the edge of the door, 1/8" deep. The faceplate of your latch will sit in this recession.

What is the Door Preparation for KEYED LOCKS WITH SIDEPLATES:

Step 1.  Refer to image shown to the right for reference.
Step 2.  Require two sets of holes with a center-to-center distance of 3-5/8" between the two sets of holes:

What is the Door Preparation for MOST TUBULAR HANDLESETS:

Step 1.  Refer to image shown to the right for reference.
Step 2.  Require a 5-1/2" center to center  door prep.
[Note: Please see the template included with your particular hardware for the exact specifications.]

What is the Door Preparation for DUMMY SETS:

Require no door prep. Dummy handles are surface mounted and may be located anywhere on the door you choose, but they are usually located to match the appearance of nearby operating locks.

What type of LEVER or KNOB do I need for my business?

type: PASSAGE
description: Latch bolt by levers at all times.

type: PRIVACY 
description: Latch bolt by knobs / levers. Outside knob / lever locked by pushbutton in inside knob / lever. Rotating inside lever or closing door releases pushbutton. Emergency release in outside lever unlocks door.

type: CLUTCHED ENTRY 
description: Both sides locked or unlocked by key outside or turn button inside. Inside always free. Clutch operation of outside lever when locked by key outside or turn-button inside.

type: ENTRY / OFFICE
description: Turn / pushbutton locking: pushing and turning button locks outside lever requiring use of key until button is manually unlocked. Pushbutton locking: pushing button locks outside knob / lever until unlocked by key or by turning inside knob / lever.

type: CLASSROOM 
description: Outside knob / lever locked and unlocked by key. Inside knob / lever always unlocked.

type: CLUTCHED STOREROOM 
description: Outside lever fixed. Entrance by key only. Inside lever always unlocked.

type: STOREROOM 
description: Outside knob / lever fixed. Entrance by key only. Inside knob / lever always unlocked.

type: DUMMY 
desription: Single trim surface mounted lever.