The renovation of the apartment is finishing, it’s time to install interior doors. The delivery set consists of a door leaf and racks from which the box will need to be assembled. The fittings are not included in the delivery of the interior door and will have to be purchased separately.
Important! Be sure to pay attention not only to the aesthetic properties of the fittings you like, but also to its reliability. It is better to give preference to well-known products, but this is no less relevant. By purchasing a model from a well-known factory, you will receive a guarantee of quality and long service life of the product.
Locking systems are extremely rarely installed on interior doors in apartments; they are usually limited to latches. Locks with key cylinders are needed to restrict access to the premises for strangers and their place is more likely in offices rather than in apartments. In an apartment, a locking lock is installed only in the bathroom and toilet. This type of lock is also called a plumbing lock. The latch, which can be installed on the same strip as the door handle or on an individual rosette, consists of a screw and a washer with a slot. The screw is installed on the inside of the door and with its help the door closes. The washer is mounted on the outside and by inserting a coin into the slot, you can open the door in case of an unforeseen situation. Anything can happen, and the person inside the room may not be able to open the door.
Structural varieties
The door latch can be a stand-alone device or part of the main lock.
Some latches have the function of quickly locking closed doors (locking the door from the inside). Such devices are justified in those rooms where there is a need to lock yourself: a bathroom, a bathroom, a bedroom, an office. When combining a latch with a door lock, various types of locks are used: lever, cylinder, electromechanical, combined. The exception is rack-type locks - they do not use a latch.
***
Attention!
If the door latch is activated not by a manual rotary latch, but by a key, then there is a risk of leaving the room and slamming the doors behind you, forgetting the keys at home.
Therefore, it is better to choose locking systems in which the door latch is controlled by double-sided handles, and complete locking of the door is ensured by the lock bolt. ***
Types of door latches:
- with a classic metal tongue
- the most common design; - latches with a plastic tongue
- a latch of a classic shape, but made of plastic significantly reduces the noise level; - roller
or
ball
- the door is fixed with a spring-loaded rotating roller (ball); - magnetic
– a type of door locking mechanism in which the door is held closed using a magnet; - electromechanical
- implement the function of remote or electronic control of access to the premises (key fobs, RFID cards, other identifiers).
Let's take a closer look at the types of latches.
Electronic locks
Electronic locks have the most complex and high-tech mechanisms. They are also called smartlocks. It provides not only the presence of a mechanical part, but also electronics. Such locks can be overhead or external. The principle of operation of such mechanisms is simple.
The lock has a panel on the outside. The numbers shown here are from 0 to 9. First, the code is entered into the program. The system will recognize a certain combination of numbers. You will need to enter a password and also turn the key. If such a lock is installed for an interior door, it will block the key if the password was entered incorrectly.
The electronics are powered by a built-in battery. If she sits down, the door can be opened with a physical key. There are models on sale that respond to a special code card. It will be difficult to repair this type of lock on your own. This work should be entrusted to professionals.
Hale latches
An automatic door latch is known for its ability to automatically slam shut when the door is closed. Fixation is ensured by a spring-loaded beveled tongue. When closing the door, it comes into contact with the return bar, in a sliding movement along it it enters (“hides”) into the latch body, and when it reaches the socket, under the action of an expanding spring, it enters it, fixing the door leaf.
To release the latch, rotary knobs are used, which, when pressed, release the latch. Some locks provide the ability to hide the latch tongue with an additional turn of the key. The latch may have a latch that holds the tab firmly inside its body. That is, when the door is closed, you block it, and when open, you can temporarily “disable” the latch to avoid the door slamming spontaneously. The rotary handles used to open the latches are not only a mechanism, but also a decorative element. The latches that use a plastic tongue have a special advantage - they are quiet. In locks with an electromagnetic drive, the bolt is the latch - a tongue with a beveled surface, driven by an electromagnet.
Repairing a complex lock
Knowing the structure of the interior door lock, you can repair it. Difficulties may arise if you need to disassemble a mechanism with more complex elements. For example, such a lock may have a key. The categories of such locks include lever and cylinder locks.
The second of these mechanisms can be removed from the door if you unscrew the end plate. Then you can dismantle the front part. Use a screwdriver to carefully move the lock. The internal mechanism can be removed from its seat.
The design may provide for fixation of the larva. You will need to turn it a little with a key. You need to set it in such a position that it does not interfere with the movement of the lock. You need to act carefully, as internal parts can be damaged.
The lever lock is even easier to disassemble. First, the plate is also unscrewed, and then the mechanism is moved to the edge. When a small part of the structure is released, it is simply picked up by hand. You can pry it off with a screwdriver. You also need to act carefully, as you can damage the internal parts of the mechanism.
Roller latches
When the door is closed, a spring-loaded rotating roller or ball falls into the socket of the strike plate, fixing the door. To open it, you need to apply a slight force to the door by pulling the door towards you or pushing it. The socket is shaped in such a way that when the door moves, the roller is pressed inside the latch body, releasing the door from engagement with the door frame.
The roller is completely independent - it is not connected to other locking bolts, door latches and handle. Its function is to fix the door leaf when it is closed. It is not intended for locking the door. This version of the door locking mechanism can be used on double-sided (pendulum) swing door structures.
Installation
To install locks and latches, it is better to use a specialist who specializes in their installation and production; finding a specialist will not take much time.
If desired, you can install the latch yourself. Installing overhead latches on interior doors will not cause any difficulties, since they are fixed directly to the door leaf using bolts. Installation is carried out as follows:
- Using a pencil, we make markings for the future pen. When applying it, we indicate the location of the locking mechanism, the area of fastening the door handle and the strip with the socket. It is important that the valve is raised at least one meter from the floor.
- Drill a hole to install the product. We make a hole for the locking mechanism using a feather drill, and for the handle using a crown.
- At the end of the door we make a niche for the latch strip.
- We place the device in the finished hole. We fasten the end plate with bolts.
- Attach the handle.
- We install a strike plate on the opening that grips the latch tongue. Before fastening, we excavate the wood, forming a groove.
By repeating these steps in reverse order, you can disassemble and remove the latch for repair. A correctly dismantled latch can be reinstalled in another or the same door after repairs.
Required Tools
Tools you will need to install locks include:
- tape measure and pencil to mark;
- drill and set of drills;
- chisel;
- hammer;
- screwdriver;
- several screws.
The lock and latch are installed using the same tools.
Magnetic latches
The simplest magnetic latch resembles a magnet on a cabinet door. That is, the main part of the magnetic retainer is located on the door frame, and on the door leaf there is a plate made of a ferromagnetic alloy. In the closed position, the magnet holds the plate, locking the door in the closed position. This is the same functionality as a roller latch.
More complex mortise magnetic latches use a rotating magnetic bolt, which, when the door is closed, is drawn by the magnetic field of the strike plate (magnet in it) into its socket. To open such a latch, it is necessary to have rotary handles. The main advantage of magnetic latches is their complete noiselessness.
Tips and tricks
You need to know how to use a magnetic lock correctly - only in this case will it serve for a long time and reliably. Here are some simple rules:
- the magnetic element and the strike plate must be cleaned of adhering debris and metal dust;
- To ensure the downforce declared by the manufacturer, it is better to follow the instructions during installation. The recommended gap size is important - if you “deviate” from the parameters even by a couple of millimeters, the holding force will decrease, this also applies to the magnetic latch;
- to prevent oxidation of the magnetic mechanism, all elements are wiped from moisture;
- check the fastenings of the lock, magnetic block and mating part; if necessary, tighten the screws.
A properly installed magnetic lock can last for many years.
Electromechanical latches
This type of latches could previously be seen mainly on the entrance doors of industrial, service or office premises. But the intensive development of video intercom technology has led to their widespread use not only in private cottages (opening gates, gates, garages), but also in apartments. Now, simply by pressing a button on the intercom, you open the front door to your visitors. A functional limitation on the use of electromagnetic latches is a temporary (emergency) lack of power supply. In such a situation, 2 options for latching configurations are possible:
- normally open - has a disadvantage: if there is no power, your doors will be unlocked, although from the point of view of fire safety this is a good property;
- normally closed - you will not be able to leave the room if there is no power supply.
To prevent such force majeure events, an alternative backup power supply for locking systems is provided.
Electromechanical models
These latches are most common on the entrance doors of checkpoints and checkpoints; entrance doors and gates of elite residential complexes and dacha cooperatives are also equipped with electromechanical devices. To open such a latch, you need to send an electrical signal to the device - this can be done using the control panel, a special key, entering a code or scanning a fingerprint. This type of latches is volatile and requires a backup power source for uninterrupted operation.
Share on social networks:
Gate valve
Installed under a simple latch when the door needs to be locked from the inside. Unlike a plumbing latch, this solution has a less aesthetic appearance, since two separate mechanisms are installed, but installation is simpler, since two small holes are required. In terms of price, this option is slightly more expensive than buying a plumbing latch.
- Pros: ease of installation, separate mechanisms.
- Cons: aesthetics suffer, the “simple latch” kit is a little more expensive than a plumbing latch.
Read: High-quality interior doors from the manufacturer
Methods for long-term unlocking
When it is necessary to keep the door open for a certain time, the locking function is turned off. There are two ways to do this:
- Mechanical impact. Temporarily disable the latch function. In the corner of the tongue of devices of this type there is a small lever, when turned, the passage will be open for the required period of time. To resume blocking, the lever is returned to its original position.
- Electrical influence. Causes permanent unlocking via an electrical signal. This electric door strike is equipped with a coil designed to perform this function. A longer operating mode will be provided by a coil with less current consumption. While the signal is given, the tongue remains movable and the door opens freely.
The second method is only possible when DC current is supplied. The alternating current will cause a characteristic sound signal that will be heard while the passage is open. For this case, special control devices are provided. If you turn on the appropriate mode on them, the coil will begin to be powered with direct current, and no unpleasant sound will be heard.
Bolt mechanism - latch
This is a unique design of a locking device designed for installation on door blocks. Initially, such devices were used for interior door structures with double leaves. They held one door, the second was constantly opening. If it was necessary to bring large objects into the room, the second part of the canvas was opened using a latch.
Today, such shutter devices are popular when arranging door blocks to the toilet and bathroom. The principle of operation of the mechanism is quite simple. You can install it yourself without calling a technician or having any skills.
An espagnolette is a budget option for latches that allows you to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the premises. Such latches have been used in everyday life for a long time and are still in demand among buyers. Today, the market also offers designer models of latch latches, which allow you to design door structures more stylishly.
