How to choose a lock for the interior door

At choosing and buying an interior door great attention must also be paid to the selection of the right fittings. It should not only correspond to the style of the room as a whole and the features of the door leaf, but also be extremely functional. Core element interior door it becomes her castle, but often her choice is not treated as carefully as the choice of a lock for the front door, and they will have to be used very often. Naturally, fewer requirements are put forward for such locks, so many do not expect any trouble from them. But an improperly selected or poor-quality locking mechanism can not only constantly annoy and be uncomfortable, but also make the owners hostages of a room. So, what should be considered when choosing a lock for interior doors?

Initially, you should decide what function does specific door and lock on her. Here, as a rule, there are two main options. Most often, it is necessary that the lock simply holds the door in the closed position and prevents it from being opened by a draft. In this case, the simplest mechanisms are used, which often come complete with a door. If it is necessary to create personal space and protect it from unwanted entry, then it’s worth using more complex locks that can be locked in the “closed” position or even be locked with a key like locks on the entrance doors.

In addition, attention should be paid to how harmoniously the selected type of lock will look with a specific type of door and room. Important is also manufacturer nameengaged in the manufacture of such accessories. Taking into account all the above parameters, you can easily pick up the necessary lock.

Types of castles

Depending on what goals are pursued in each case, and in which room this or that leads interior doorchoose different types of locks. Let us dwell on their main types.

Simple latches

This is the simplest type of lock, which is supplied, as a rule, with all interior doors, even the cheapest ones, and the mechanism consists of a cylinder and a tongue. Such locks are used on doors leading to passage rooms, such as a kitchen or living room. Them the main objective - to prevent unwanted opening of the door, for example, from drafts, and to keep it closed when needed, to close the door more tightly, and not to lock it. A simple mechanism gives a full guarantee that you will not become a hostage of any room when suddenly the lock wedges.

Most often, these kinds of locks are installed with a pen, when pressed, a tongue is activated to hold the door in the closed position. Such locks are of the type of faley, and they consist of a handle, an oblique tongue and a spring. In addition, there are latch locks, the operation of which does not depend on the handles. The tongue can be either metal or plastic. The second option is preferable when it is necessary to give the process of opening and closing the door to maximum noiselessness.

Latch with lock

This type of lock can be called a modification of a conventional latch.This design is equipped in addition to the tongue, driven by a spring or magnet, also a latch that can lock the lock in the closed position. Such locks are put in those rooms where there is a need to lock inside: these are most often bathtubs, toilets, sometimes bedrooms or offices. Unlike the previous type of lock, there is a likelihood that the lock will simply jam, and therefore it is worth approaching the choice of such a mechanism as carefully as possible. So, before buying, you need to check how softly and smoothly the tongue runs, and also whether there is enough spring or magnet force to return the tongue inside the door leaf.

The lock with a lock has the form of a wide flat bar with holes for the handle and lock. Usually, one turn of the lock is enough to lock the door. Locking mechanisms of this kind are often used in knobs, and the lock itself in this case can be lever or push-button. A linkage is more preferred since it is more reliable and more convenient to handle. The button lock, at first glance, is also convenient and has good aesthetic properties, but there is a high probability of accidentally slamming the door when the button works at an unnecessary moment.

Mortise locks

Mortise locks for interior doors are also sometimes called locks with a turnkey larva. In fact, it is a copy of the usual lock for the front door, only they have a much simpler mechanism. They also resemble locks with a lock, but instead of a hole for the lock, a key hole is created. Similar mechanisms necessary when the room must be securely closed on both sides, which is why interior doors with such a lock are installed in the bedroom, office, pantry, etc.

The mortise lock consists of a cylinder and a lock block, and the design of the cylinder may vary. If the lock is not used very often, then a key-to-key cylinder is installed, but if the lock is often used on one side, it will be much more convenient to install a key-to-spin cylinder.

When choosing a mortise lock for an interior door, it is important to pay attention to the softness of the tongue, and that it is completely hidden inside the door leaf. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the installed or attracted door: it is important that the thickness of the blade matches the parameters of the locking mechanism. An optional, but desirable detail is the so-called wings on the locking plate. With their help, the tongue is more tightly held, which provides a more reliable fixation of the door.

Magnetic locks

Magnetic lock is by far the most expensive option, but it, in turn, is able to provide the most silent operation, since there are no moving parts in the locking mechanism. That is why such castles are indispensable in rooms where it is important to maintain maximum silence: bedrooms, children's rooms, etc.

Inside the crossbar of such a lock, a ferrite core is installed, which comes into effect only when the door leaf is closed, when a magnetic negatively charged bar is nearby. The interaction of the key elements of the locking mechanism does not cause any noise. In addition, such locks are characterized by high reliability, wear resistance and durability, which explains their growing popularity. Similar mechanisms are also called the most aesthetic and safe, because the tongue does not peek out of the door leaf.

Espagnolette

Espagnolette is also a kind of lock for interior doors. Despite the fact that it was originally used to fix one of the parts of double doors, it is still very popular for locking bathrooms and toilets. The mechanism of operation of such locks is so simple and familiar to everyone that it does not need additional explanations.Almost everyone can install such a castle without having any special skills. Moreover, this is the most budgetary way to protect some rooms from sudden penetration. Espagnolette is still very popular and is installed on the doors in sanitary facilities, especially since designers are developing very stylish and original models that can be selected for a certain style of interior.

Overhead locks

Features of these locks can be understood from the name. Here, the mechanism itself is attached to one of the sides of the door to provide reliable protection against penetration. This option cannot be called the most aesthetic, but in some cases it is simply irreplaceable. So, in communal apartments such mechanisms were used and are very popular. Less commonly, such locks are installed on cabinet doors.

Lock for sliding doors

Separately, it is worth noting the locking mechanisms for sliding doors. Them the main task - securely hold the canvas so that it does not move along the walls under the slightest extraneous influences, such as vibration or draft. When you turn the locking mechanism, the latch enters the hole of the strap on the box, securely locking in it. Due to the fact that the latch has the form of a hook, this type of mechanism is often called harpoon.

Top lock manufacturers

Often the quality of a particular mechanism, the durability and reliability of its operation depends on the one who produced this lock. Today, there are many domestic and foreign manufacturers on the market, whose products deserve close attention. However, we select only a few of them.

1. Abloy - The Finnish manufacturer, which for several decades has been pleasing customers with its consistently high quality products. The interior locks of this company have high wear resistance, withstand temperature extremes. The locks are chrome or powder coated, open with a key or a turntable (rotary button). All variants of interior locks of this manufacturer have a neat appearance, suitable for use in residential and office buildings.
2. Viatek - Ukrainian company specializing in the production of various security systems. Among other products, there are locks for interior doors. The assortment includes overhead, mortise and magnetic locks.
3. AGB (Alban Giacomo SpA) - a large Italian company that produces mechanisms for closing windows and doors. The name of various products is so wide that it is difficult to find analogues of this company. There are locks for interior doors of various types and price categories. Great importance is given to research, which allowed the company to offer its customers locks with a polyurethane tongue, the peculiarity of which lies in their absolute noiselessness.
4. Fuaro - The largest manufacturer of furniture for interior doors, which pays close attention to locks. The range includes products such as latches, locks, latches, latches, etc.
5. Morelli - An Italian company that has been manufacturing handles and locks for doors for more than 70 years, and during that time managed to earn trust and recognition in the European and domestic markets. The company's assortment includes magnetic locks, locks with a plastic tongue, latches, latches and other types of mechanisms.
6. Archie-sillur - manufacturer, existing on the market for about 20 years. He has established himself as a quality door hardware at an affordable price. Today, the company has two plants at its disposal: in Spain and in the south of Asia. The choice of locks for interior doors is impressive: there are latches, and mortise locks, and magnetic mechanisms. Moreover, the manufacturer’s mortise locks differ in terms of secrecy, which allows the most reliable protection of personal space without violating its aesthetics.By the way, each model is available in several colors so that the buyer can find the best option that best suits the style of the interior of a particular room.

In conclusion

Interior doors are not only an interior decoration, but also a way to create a secure personal space. And in order for this to be possible in full, it is necessary to give the door hardware no less importance than the choice of the door leaf itself. A lock, the most important element of hardware, requires special attention. Assessing the nature of the room, its features and the nuances of the interior will allow you to choose the optimal mechanism that will protect the room to the extent necessary from drafts or unwanted penetration.