Full Answer
What is a tubular latch?
The tubular latch is usually a rectangular steel tube, which at its most simple contains a spring-loaded follower** and latchbolt or ‘tongue’ of triangular metal at the end, which retracts to open the door, and springs back to close or ‘latch’ the door and keep it closed.
What are the different types of door latch?
While there may be many types of door latch to choose from, by far and away, the most common you'll find installed in your average door frame is the tubular door latch. Look around at the internal doors in your vicinity, and the chances are that you'll see a tubular product sitting in place.
What size latch do I need for a door knob?
A minumum of 3 inches is recommended, with a 4 inch tubular latch being the ideal size for fitting with a door knob. Most door knobs are unsprung, and will require a double sprung heavy duty tubular latch for optimum function.
How do you install a lever latch door handle?
To install a lever latch door handle, you will need a mortice tubular door latch. As its name suggests the tubular latch is usually morticed into a door; this allows the door to be opened and closed by means of a door handle or a doorknob. The word ‘latching’ is the act of a door being closed and remaining held shut.
How does a tubular door latch work?
The tubular latch is usually a rectangular steel tube, which at its most simple contains a spring-loaded follower** and latchbolt or 'tongue' of triangular metal at the end, which retracts to open the door, and springs back to close or 'latch' the door and keep it closed.
What's a tubular latch?
The Tubular Latch is a simple closing device commonly used on internal doors where no lock is needed. The Tubular Mortice Latch is an evolution from a Mortice Lock, downsized so that it can be fitted with much less effort, and with minimal drilling and cutting to the door required.
Are there different types of door latches?
A typical door latch is a door knob composed of a latching mechanism, a locking mechanism, and two knobs on the interior and exterior sides. Other types of latches are bolt, spring, cam, compression, slam, and rotary latches. Cam locks are cam latches combined with a key instead of an ordinary knob.
What is the difference between tubular and mortise locks?
What types of locks are there? A tubular lock has its latch bolt and dead bolt in two separate holes. In a mortise lock, both bolts are encased in a steel box that fits in one hole.
What lock is best for an internal door?
Mortice sashlocks and deadlocks are a dependable choice, as are multi-point locking systems, while night latches can also be added for an additional layer of security for entry doors.
How do you fit a tubular latch?
2:395:46How to fit a Tubular Latch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMark the central node or edge then measure the distance from the edge of the latch plate. AndMoreMark the central node or edge then measure the distance from the edge of the latch plate. And transfer this measurement onto either side of the door stage. 2 with the door held securely.
What are the three types of latches?
There are basically four main types of latches and flip-flops: SR, D, JK, and T. The major differences in these flip-flop types are the number of inputs they have and how they change state. For each type, there are also different variations that enhance their operations.
What is the most common type of door lock?
Knob LocksKnob Locks Knob locks are the most common type of door lock available and the chief security method for most doors. The lock cylinder is located in the knob itself instead of the door. Thus, knob locks should not be used on external doors, as they can be easily broken into with basic tools like a hammer or wrench.
Can you replace just the latch of door?
Replacing a door latch on an internal door doesn't have to be difficult. The first thing you must do is take the existing latch down to your local hardware store to get a replacement for it and then simply follow our how-to video!
What is the most secure lock for a front door?
Deadbolt door locksDeadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are usually used on a home's exterior door. Available in single- and double-cylinder styles, deadbolts are rated according to their strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3.
Are tubular locks harder to pick?
Instead of one row of pins, tubular locks have pins positioned all the way around the circumference of the cylinder plug. This makes them much harder to pick. Conventional lock-picking techniques usually don't work on this type of lock. Some pin-tumbler locks have modified pins that make picking more difficult.
Are tubular locks more secure?
Tubular pin tumbler locks are often considered to be safer and more resistant to picking than standard locks. This is primarily because they are often seen on coin boxes for vending machines and coin-operated machines, such as those used in a laundromat.
What is the difference between cylindrical and tubular locks?
In a tubular lock, the inside and outside spindles are joined by the extension through the latch and move in tandem after assembly. Tubular Lock Major Components: In a cylindrical lock, the mechanism for retracting the latch bolt is part of the lock chassis.
What is the difference between a loch and a latch?
The primary difference between door locks and door latches is that locks require a key to open the door, but a latch does not. As the name implies, a door lock ensures that your door is locked, while for latches, the door may be closed but definitely not locked.
What is the difference between a spring latch and a Deadlatch?
A deadlatch is not spring-loaded, and provides extra security over a spring latch. A latch is operated with a key on the outside and a turn-style knob on the inside. One great feature of a latch is that it can be set to automatically lock when the door closes. This extra safety feature is helpful in any home.
How does a teardrop latch work?
HOW IT WORKS: The Teardrop portion of the lock mounts to the inside of the jamb. A small slot is cut out of the face of the door and the strike plate is installed into the slot. When the door is closed the teardrop swivels out and latches into the strike plate.
What is tubular latch?
The Tubular Latch is a simple closing device commonly used on internal doors where no lock is needed. The Tubular Mortice Latch is an evolution from a Mortice Lock, downsized so that it can be fitted with much less effort, and with minimal drilling and cutting to the door required.
How to measure for latch size?
An easy way to choose which latch you need is to measure from the edge of your door to the centre of your door Stile. Choose the Backset which is closest to this measurement, and the handle will be as central as possible to the Stile on your door. We generally recommend that a 76mm Overall Latch Size is ordinarily the best size for most lever handles. However the shorter 64mm Overall Size should be used where the door is glazed, to minimize the risk of hitting the glass rebate when drilling to fit the latch.
What is double sprung door latch?
The term 'Double Sprung' means that the latch has a separate soft spring for the tongue action, allowing a gentle closing action to the door. The follower works on a separate spring with a heavy action, to ensure that heavy levers and unsprung door knobs are always returned to the horizontal position.
What happens if the latch is too narrow?
If the hole is too narrow and the Latch only just fits inside, then the case body can be compressed and particularly the spring mechanism, which means over time the spring will fail and the latch will stop working. Make sure that the hole allows a couple of mm spare around the latch case.
What is the size of a backset?
The industry standard Backset sizes are: 45mm, 56mm, 82mm, 107mm and 130mm. So the following rule generally applies;
What is the best finish for a door latch?
The better quality latches have a range of finishes in Polished Brass, Polished Steel, Satin Steel, Florentine Bronze, Power Coat Black.
Where are the bolt holes on a tubular latch?
These are the holes in the latch case located on either side of the Follower. These Fixing Holes are designed to allow the fixing bolts, which are often supplied with door handles, to pass through the door and the latch mechanism so that the handles can be bolted together. The hole at the rear of the Latch is just a cutaway to the rear of the case.
Choosing a Tubular Latch
The type of tubular latch you choose to fit will depend upon whether you are installing a lever handle or a door knob, and whether the handle/knob is sprung or unsprung.
How To Fit A Tubular Latch: Tools Needed
Before you start, make sure you have these tools for the job: pencil, tape measure, set square, craft knife, chisel, electric drill, pilot drill, countersink bit, and a 20mm & 10mm Forstner drill bit.
Step 1. Taking Measurements
Once you have decided on the correct positioning of your lever handle or door knob, mark a line on the edge of the door with a set square where the tubular latch will be fitted.
Step 3: Drilling with a 10mm bit
Using the 10mm drill bit, drill the clearance holes on either side of the door for the mortice bar to connect the two sides of the lever handles/door knobs.
Step 11: Remove Stock Material
Finally, using a narrow chisel, remove enough stock material from within the striker plate to allow the catch to fit once the door is closed.
Heavy Duty, Double Sprung & Standard?
Heavy Duty Tubular Latches are intended for doors with frequent or heavy use.
Tubular & Mortice Latch Sizes
The tubular door latch measurements you need to look out for are the overall case size and the backset.
Backset
Not sure how to measure a tubular latch? This refers to the distance from the edge of the latch to the centre of the spindle hole. Each size of tubular latch listed above has an industry standard backset (+ or - 1mm).
Door Handles
Door Handles are generally fitted with a standard or basic 2.5 inch or 3 inch tubular latch.
Door Knobs
To prevent hands and fingers catching on the side of the door frame, it is best to fit a door knob further from the edge of the door than a door handle. The recommended case size for fitting with door knobs is 4 inches, but 3 inches can be used as an absolute minimum.
What tubular latch do I need for my lever latch door handle?
To install a lever latch door handle, you will need a mortice tubular door latch. As its name suggests the tubular latch is usually morticed into a door; this allows the door to be opened and closed by means of a door handle or a doorknob.
What height should a tubular latch be positioned on a door?
Many joiners are taught that one metre from the floor is the correct height to position a latch and door handle. Whilst this is correct for Lever Handles, it is not necessarily the case for Door Knobs.
What is the backset of a door?
Backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the spindle borehole. The 64mm tubular latch has a backset of 45mm and the 76mm tubular latch has a backset of 57mm.
What does the length of a door latch mean?
These different sizes relate to the length of the latch, and this length basically means how deep the latch needs to be morticed into the door. This basically determines where your door handle or a doorknob will be positioned on the face of the door.
What is a door latch?
The word ‘latching’ is the act of a door being closed and remaining held shut. The door latch is one of the most important pieces of a door hardware kit and we’re going to look at the most common types of tubular latch available, and outline what latch you should use in various situations. We hope to help you choose the right tubular latch for your door.
How to measure for tubular latch?
Do this by measuring the width of your door style and halving the measurement you have taken . That will give you the size of Tubular Latch Backset you need to get and position your handle in the centre of the door stile.
What is a latch door handle?
There are 4 styles of latch door handles but the most common type is the Lever latch door handle on a backplate. This can be found in residential houses, commercial spaces and public buildings. Doors are fitted with this handle along with a mortice latch which is used to keep the door shut. The door handle features a lever handle which is used to operate this latch.
How many cross bores do you need for a mortise latch?
It’s important to note that a mortise latch and a tubular latch require two, very different door preparations. Tubular latches require 2 1/8” diameter cross-bores in the door, and 1” edge-bores. Mortise locks require a deep, rectangular pocket in the door.
What is a mortise latch?
Most mortise latches have a passage latch operated by a door knob, and an integrated deadbolt operated by a skeleton key. Alternately, some mortise latches have a thumb-turn on the inside of the door, instead of a skeleton key, to operate the deadbolt.
How long have mortise latches been around?
Residential mortise latches have been around for over a hundred years and are frequently seen in older homes. Many people enjoy mortise latches for their vintage style. Since they also have longevity, it’s common for homeowners to use them for decades.
How big is a mortise pocket?
Although there is no standard length, size, or backset for these locks, most mortise locks have a 5 to 6-inch pocket in the door. Nostalgic’s “universal” mortise locks will fit most interior doors with legacy mortise locks, with little or no modification.
When did tubular latches become popular?
Tubular latches became popular in the early 1950’s. And, as their name implies, the latch mechanism itself is tubular in shape. These latches were initially designed for residential use, but manufacturers later modified the design for commercial use (frequently referring to them as “cylindrical locks”). The vast majority of homes built in the last ...
Does Nostalgic Warehouse sell mortise locks?
However, these older mortise locks do not provide adequate security for an exterior door, as they are easily picked. Nostalgic Warehouse is one of very few door hardware companies that continues to sell new mortise locks.
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