What Makes Exterior And Interior Door Knobs Different?

There are several differences between exterior and interior door knobs. Exterior door knobs are designed to keep the door closed and act as a barrier between the house and the outside world. They are usually made from non-corrosive metals and have keyed locks and heavier construction. Interior door knobs, on the other hand, are lighter and more compact. They are designed to close interior doors and often don't have locking mechanisms. Privacy knobs, passage knobs, and dummy knobs are some of the subtypes of interior door knobs. Privacy knobs are commonly used in bedrooms and bathrooms and have their own locking mechanism. Passage knobs are used in closets or hallways and don't have locks. Dummy knobs are purely decorative and are often found on cabinets or appliances. When choosing a door knob, it is important to consider the type of door, the locking mechanism, ease of installation, ease of use, style, and cost.

Privacy knobs

Privacy door knobs are designed for interior use, specifically for bedrooms and bathrooms. They are lockable from the inside with a twist or button lock, but they do not include a key. This means that they are not secure enough to be used on exterior doors, but they are ideal for maintaining privacy within the home.

Privacy door knobs are available in a range of styles, including round, ball, square, and wave designs. They also come in a variety of colours, such as matte black, satin nickel, antique brass, and brushed nickel.

When purchasing a privacy door knob, it is important to take the necessary measurements, such as the backset (the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the knob), the cross bore (the hole along the edge of the door frame), and the door thickness. This will ensure that your chosen privacy knob is compatible with your door.

• Kwikset Tylo Satin Chrome Bed/Bath Door Knob with Lock
• Schlage Georgian Satin Nickel Privacy Bed/Bath Door Knob
• Kwikset Pismo Square Matte Black Privacy Bed/Bath Door Knob with Lock
• Kwikset Cove Satin Nickel Privacy Door Knob with Lock for Bedroom or Bathroom featuring Microban Technology
• Schlage Bowery Matte Black Privacy Bed/Bath Door Knob with Collins Trim

Passage knobs

While passage knobs are perfect for interior use, they are not recommended for exterior entry doors as they do not provide adequate security. Passage knobs do not have an internal locking mechanism, so they cannot be locked from either side of the door. If used on an exterior door, they should be accompanied by a deadbolt or keyed entry mechanism for added security.

When choosing a passage knob, it is important to consider factors such as ease of installation, security, privacy, cost, locking mechanism, and style. Passage knobs are available in various styles, colours, and price ranges to suit different preferences and budgets.

Keyed entry knobs

Keyed entry door knobs are designed for doors on the outside of a house. They are the main barrier in most homes between the house and anyone who hasn't been welcomed in. They need to be strong, reliable, and have a lock that works well.

When buying a keyed entry door knob, you should consider security. Third-party organisations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) test and grade locks to help you determine how tough they are. Grade 1 is the highest level, commonly used for commercial purposes. Grade 2 means the knob performed well and is probably okay for residential use, while Grade 3 means it only provides basic security and should be used for internal door knobs.

Keyed entry door knobs are available in a variety of styles and colours, including satin nickel, matte black, antique brass, and polished brass.

Some popular keyed entry door knob brands include:

• Kwikset
• Schlage
• BESTTEN
• Amazon Basics
• Probrico
• Baldwin
• Brinks
• Defiant

Dummy knobs

Dummy door knobs are available in a diverse range of designer styles and finishes, making it easy to match any interior decor and architectural style. They are made from a variety of materials, such as brass, bronze, or even crystal, and can be purchased as a single or double dummy door knob. A single dummy is meant for one side of the door, primarily for aesthetic purposes, while a double dummy door knob features two matching knobs or handles designed to beautify both sides of a single doorway, particularly if there are double doors.

Storeroom door knobs

> Deadlocking latch bolt operated by key in outside lever, or by operating inside lever. Outside lever is always inoperable.

This means that a key is always required to gain access to the room or space from the outside, while the inside lever allows for immediate egress at all times. The deadlocking latch bolt prevents the latch from being retracted with a knife or credit card, enhancing security.

Storeroom locks can also be found in mortise lock form, designated F07 by BHMA/ANSI. These locks have a larger lock body and more room for moving parts, allowing for variations in the storeroom lock function. Some manufacturers offer a storeroom function mortise lock with an added deadbolt function for added security.

Exit devices with storeroom function are often referred to as night latch functions and are not typically installed on storage rooms. The outside trim function is designated 03 by BHMA/ANSI and is described as follows:

> Entrance by trim when latch is released by key. Key removable only when locked.

With the rise in popularity of electronic access control, storeroom locks can also be electrified. Electrically Locked (EL) locksets require power to remain locked, while Electrically Unlocked (EU) locksets require power to unlock. Electrified storeroom locks allow for credential readers to be tied into an access control system throughout a building.

Frequently asked questions