
The doorknob or Door Handle are the basic parts of door locks. The outside part of the door lock is called an exterior doorknob or handle, whereas the inside part o the door lock is called an interior doorknob or handle. This interior or exterior doorknob or handle fits separately or comes with a locking frame.
Full Answer
What are the parts of a front door lock?
Visible Parts of a Door Lock
- Deadbolt knob: the small handle that is turned to activate the deadbolt
- Inner and outer panels: depending on the door lock type, it could be a plate of various sizes to which the deadbolt handle attaches on the inside and the key ...
- Key entry assembly: the keying mechanism into which the key inserts from the outside
What are the different types of door lock?
Types of Door Locks
- Doorknob Locks. Doorknob locks are, perhaps, the most common type of lock you’ll see on homes, especially on inner doors, like bathrooms and bedrooms.
- Handlesets. Handleset locks have a handle on the external side and either a keyed opening or twist knob on the internal side with which to lock it.
- Hand Levers. ...
- Deadbolts. ...
- Barrel Bolt. ...
- Chain Lock. ...
- Cam Locks. ...
How to replace the door lock?
What to Do
- Check if the lock needs cleaning or repairing Before you start dislodging the lock, check first if it needs to be replaced or cleaned only. ...
- Remove the lock’s handle by unscrewing the screws and get the measurements of the lock To purchase the right lock for your sliding door, you need to remove ...
- Install the new lock
How do I lock a door without a lock?
How to lock a door without a lock
- Fork it Up. For small emergency situations like a toilet door or a closet, you can repurpose a lock using household tools.
- Get a Portable. People who travel a lot – especially backpackers and salespeople – often carry locks with them. ...
- Build a Barricade. ...
- Buy a Commercial Barricade Device. ...
- Remove the Lock. ...
- Jam it Shut. ...
- Tie it Down. ...
How many parts are in a door lock?
What type of lock does a door lock use?
What is the difference between a door lock and a deadbolt?
What is an electronic lock?
What is a lock body?
What does it mean when a key is inserted?
What is the anatomy of a door lock?
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About this website

What are the parts of the door lock called?
The main parts of a door lock are the cylinder, bolt, box and strike plate. It's useful for any DIY-er to know how things around the home operate.
What are the parts of door hardware?
A: The five main types of door hardware include doorknobs, lever handles, deadbolts, handlesets, and door hinges.
What are the 7 types of locks?
There are plenty of other door locks, and many fall within the seven categories of knob locks, deadbolt locks, cam locks, padlocks, mortise locks, smart locks and keypad locks.
What is the door lock hole called?
Bore holes: The latch bore, also known as the edge bore, is the hole drilled from the side of the door into the cross bore to allow the latch of the lock to be installed and to accommodate the sliding of the deadbolt.
What is a lock strike plate?
A strike plate is a piece of hardware that works with a lock to keep a door secure. Strike plates are installed on the door frame and contains a hole which receives the spring loaded latch or bolt which comes out of the latch or lock.
What are the parts of a mortice lock called?
There are two main parts of a mortice latch: the body which is installed in the door and a box keep installed in the doorjamb.
What is the top lock on a door called?
Lock Grades and Ratings Deadbolts provide the highest level of front door security. To ensure your door locks provide solid home security, choose locks and deadbolts that are pick-resistant and bump proof.
What are different locks called?
Although there are many types of locks, the four most common are padlocks, deadbolts, knob locks, and levers.
What is the name of locking device?
The following is a list of positive locking devices: A split beam nut. A castellated nut and a split pin. A hex nut or cap screw and a tab washer.
What is a door lock latch?
Door Latches. Door latches are a type of mechanical hardware used to fasten doors and keep them shut. A door latch uses a fastener attached to two ordinarily separated surfaces, most often the door and the frame, to prevent the door from swinging while still allowing normal operation when the latch is released.
What is a lock jamb?
strike jamb, lock jamb The vertical member of a doorframe on which the strike plate is installed.
What do you call the thing that connects the door?
Hinges. The hinges are jointed metal fittings that connect the door panel to the frame.
What is door hardware?
Door furniture (British and Australian English) or door hardware (North American English) refers to any of the items that are attached to a door or a drawer to enhance its functionality or appearance.
What are the different types of door knobs?
Doorknobs or Levers - There are four different types: keyed entrance, privacy, passage and dummy knobs.
What holds the door together?
Hinges: Secures door to frame while enabling a swinging motion. Stiles: The sides of the door. The hinge style is where the hinges are attached to. The lock style is where the lock and knob is placed.
What holds a door in place?
Hinge pin The hinge pin is a metal pin that is inserted into the hinge to hold the door in place.
Door Lock Parts Explained | DoItYourself.com
A door lock is more than just the few visible pieces you frequently come into contact with. The locking mechanism is an intricate series of springs, pins, cylinders and shafts that work together to secure the door. What is seen besides the handle is the deadbolt knob, the inner and outer panels, the key entry, the bolt plate and the bolt itself.
Anatomy of a Door Lock: How Does it Work? - Door Locks Direct
Every day, we open and close doors without giving a second thought to how the door locks we rely on to secure our homes, offices, and other property work.
What is a traditional door lock?
When you think of locks, traditional door locks are probably what comes to mind. These locks have a keyhole and a manual latch. This description makes door locks seem simple and plain, but they are actually much more complex than what meets the eye. A little research to better understand how each part works can help you fix lock problems on your own and reduce calls to your local emergency locksmith in Houston, TX. Below is an overview of the parts of a door lock and how they work.
What is the part of a key that locks?
The Cylinder: Also called the body, this is the part where the key is inserted. When it is locked, a series of spring-loaded pins are engaged by the cylinder. This keeps the cylinder from turning.
What type of locks are used in residential homes?
Traditional and electronic locks. Many residential homes, apartments, schools, libraries, small commercial buildings and other similar spaces still use traditional key-and-doorknob locks for both interior and exterior doors. Traditional locks, also known as mechanical locks, while still popular today, are not the only type of lock available.
What is the thumb latch on a deadbolt?
The Thumb Latch: This is the part of the deadbolt that extends from the surface. This allows the user to rotate and unlock the deadbolt from the inside.
What is the plate behind a door?
The plate behind the door can refer to two separate pieces of metal. The first option is the strike plate, which is discussed above. The strike plate keeps the bolt in place when it is locked. When it closes, the latch strikes the plate and holds it closed. The other option could be the rosette.
What is the box on a bolt?
The Box: The bolt extends from the cylinder into a hole that is designed to fit the bolt perfectly. This is called the box. The box is meant to hold the bolt in place when it is locked. This prevents it from being pulled open.
What type of technology does a lock use?
Recently, lock manufacturers have taken to incorporating smart technology into their electronic locks. Smartphone use or voice control are more advanced ways of opening a door that omit the need for a key.
What is the most common type of door lock?
Traditional locks, also known as mechanical locks , are the most common types of door locks used on the external doors ...
What is a traditional door lock?
Traditional locks, also known as mechanical locks, are the most common types of door locks used on the external doors of residential and commercial properties for security. These are the types of locks that probably come to mind when you think of a door lock, and they are operated with a key and a knob or handle.
What is a bolt on a door?
These bolts are fitted on the side of the door where the hinges are as an additional means of security . They help to prevent doors from being forced off their hinges in the event of an intrusion. This type of lock can be used on any wooden door and consists of a hardened steel bolt that protrudes from the door frame and locks into a hole in the door when it is in the closed position.
What is the spindle on a door?
Spindle. The spindle is a part of the lock which connects the door handle or knob on either side of the door. It is a square-shaped rod that releases a latch inside the door to allow it to open when the doorknob is turned, or the handle is pushed down.
What is the trim on a door lock called?
The trim is also known as the ‘rose’, or might be given a particular name in certain shapes, for example, a circular type of trim on a door lock will be called a ‘ring ’. There are many types of trim available to match the style of the property.
What is the cylinder of a lock?
Cylinder. The cylinder of a lock is the part that contains the locking mechanism. It is the main body of the lock and is therefore sometimes referred to as the ‘lock body. Cylinders are spring-loaded with a series of pins that will not turn unless they are pushed in the right direction and pattern by the correct key.
What is a strike plate?
Strike Plate. This is a metal plate that is fixed to the door frame at the same level as the lock. It contains an opening hole into which the bolt will become engaged when the door is locked. A strike plate sometimes has a lip to help guide the bolt in the right direction.
What type of lock is used on exterior doors?
Doorknobs and handles can contain a variety of different locking devices. The most common type of lock found on exterior doors is pin tumbler cylinders that use a traditional house key to lock and unlock.
What is the latch assembly on a doorknob?
The latch assembly is the heart of the doorknob and is basically a spring-loaded bolt.
What is a pin tumbler lock?
Most exterior doors, such as a front door, will feature a pin tumbler lock cylinder which allows you to lock/unlock the doorknob with a key.
What happens when a doorknob is twisted?
However, when the doorknob is twisted, the spindle rotates and compresses the clip spring, which retracts the bolt. Once the bolt is fully retracted from the doorframe, the door can be pushed open.
Why do exterior doors need a deadbolt?
As a result, these locks are vulnerable to slip and shimming attacks, such as bypassing a lock with a credit card. This is why exterior doors should at minimum use a deadbolt as a primary security measure.
How many components are in a pin tumbler lock?
The pin tumbler lock is composed of 6 primary components.
What is a strike plate?
The strike plate is a thin sheet of metal that is screwed into the doorframe at the same height as the bolt.
Why is a lock required on a door?
The lock prevents the spindle of the bolting mechanism from retracting from the door frame, making it impossible to open the door. A key is required to open the door from the exterior side of the door. Advertisement.
What is the hardware of a doorknob?
The hardware of the doorknob includes screws and other metal pieces that help hold the doorknob on the door. Hardware varies by manufacturer and style.
How many handles does a doorknob have?
Doorknobs have two handles, one on each side of the door, and are either locking or non-locking. A locking doorknob features a locking mechanism on the interior handle and a slot for a key on the exterior. On non-locking doorknobs, the interior and exterior handles are smooth and contain no locking mechanism.
What is a doorknob?
Doorknobs have two handles, one on each side of the door, and are either locking or non-locking. A locking doorknob features a locking mechanism on the interior handle and a slot for a key on the exterior. On non-locking doorknobs, the interior and exterior handles are smooth and contain no locking mechanism.
What is a strike plate?
The strike plate is a thin piece of metal installed into the door frame to reinforce the wood around the latch hole. Strike plates prevent the wood from wearing out and allow the door to latch and lock correctly.
Can you swap out a doorknob?
Whether you want to swap out your doorknob for a newer style or repair an existing one, knowing the different parts of the doorknob and its lock helps you know what you need to buy. Doorknobs are made up of several different components.
What is the metal part of a door that protrudes out of the door called?
The spring-loaded metal part of the mechanism that protrudes out of the door is called the latch. This ensures the door is latched, i.e., keeps the door closed.
What is the metal plate at the end of a door called?
The mortice latch or the mortice lock is fitted in the door, then covered with the decorative metal plate at the end of the door called the forend plate.
What is the most important part of a door handle?
The most important part required to complete door handle installation is the door mortice latch or mortice lock mechanism . The mortice latch or mortice lock is fitted inside the door by passing the spindle through it, connecting either end of the door handles to the lock.
What happens when a bathroom door lock is activated?
If the lock is activated by turning the keys or bathroom thumbturn, the deadbolt projects outside the door. This keeps the door shut even when the lever handle is turned down to open the door.
What is the spindle on a door?
The square metal bar that connects the door handles on either side of the door is called the spindle. In the UK, the spindle thickness is standard 8mm to operate with UK standard latches and locks. However, the length of the spindle can vary to suit the thickness of your door.
What is a striker plate?
The striker plate is only functional and keeps the door frame protected from dents and scratches by repeatedly striking the latch to close the door.
Where is the striker plate on a door?
The striker plate is the metal plate installed on the door frame or the doorpost and is placed right opposite the mortice latch or mortice door lock.
What is the outer piece of a door called?
Stiles: The outer pieces or edges of a door. These and rails form the frame of the door slab. Tempered Glass: Also known as safety glass, is treated by heating and cooling the glass so when broken it will crumble instead braking into shards.
What is a full door assembly?
Full door assembly. A full assembly includes, at a minimum, the entryway placed within a rough opening and trimmed with brickmolding and mullions. Sidelites, Transoms, and additional doors can be added ontop of this basic assembly.
What is a double acting door?
Double Acting Door: Door which is hinged so that it can be opened both inward and outward. Flush Bolt: A bolt used to on a non active door to keep it stationary. It is flush with the face or edge of the door when retracted. French Door: a door with glass panes throughout its length.French door could be a pair or not.
What is a sidelite door?
Sidelite: The side panels on either side of the door, they can be filled with glass or wood. Typically there are two, one on each side of the door, or there can be one on either side of the door. Sill: The bottom or piece of a door. Also known as the threshold and usually come in aluminium or wood.
What is a prehung door?
An opening in the wall made by standard framing materials, sized around a pre-hung unit. Usually 2" taller and 2" wider than the door unit size.
How many parts are in a door lock?
Though there are slight differences depending on the lock's manufacturer, there are three primary parts of a door lock to keep in mind when learning about the way they work. Understanding the function of each part can help you troubleshoot problems with a lock on your own, which might save you a call to your local locksmith if trouble comes around.
What type of lock does a door lock use?
Generally, door locks will either use a traditional deadbolt – a piece of metal that extends and holds the door shut when the lock body is turned – or a spring latch, a bolt that uses a spring clip to automatically lock the door whenever it closes.
What is the difference between a door lock and a deadbolt?
Generally, door locks will either use a traditional deadbolt – a piece of metal that extends and holds the door shut when the lock body is turned – or a spring latch, a bolt that uses a spring clip to automatically lock the door whenever it closes. While these sound similar, there is a difference. A lock with a spring latch is locked by default, whereas a lock with a deadbolt is unlocked by default.
What is an electronic lock?
In an electronic lock, small motorized components controlled by the keypad, scanner or wireless signal reader control the bolt or latch – sometimes alongside a mechanical lock's pins and sometimes replacing the pin system entirely. When the appropriate code or key signal is read, an electronic signal engages the bolt or latch by way of a motor. This is more secure than a mechanical lock, but it is also more expensive to maintain.
What is a lock body?
The lock body, or lock cylinder, is the core of a door lock. The lock body turns to engage or disengage the lock's bolt or latch when the appropriate key is used. In a mechanical lock, the lock body uses a series of spring-loaded pins to allow or stop the turning. The combination of pins that need to be pushed to turn the lock is unique ...
What does it mean when a key is inserted?
When the key is inserted, it allows the lock body to turn. Advertisement. In an electronic lock, small motorized components controlled by the keypad, scanner or wireless signal reader control the bolt or latch – sometimes alongside a mechanical lock's pins and sometimes replacing the pin system entirely. When the appropriate code ...
What is the anatomy of a door lock?
The Anatomy of a Door Lock. Every door lock has both internal and external components. Door handle or door knob parts – in addition to the keypad or scanner on an electronic lock – can be considered external, while the internal parts are composed of everything hidden inside the door and everything behind the key slot.
