Your door lock is made up of several different parts, all of which work together to keep your home secure. But do you know all the parts and what each one does?
In this blog post, we’ll break down the different parts of a door lock mechanism so that you can have a better understanding of how your lock works.
The Handle or Doorknob
The first part we’ll cover is the handle. The handle is what you use to open and close the door.
It can be a lever-type handle or a round doorknob. Either way, it’s attached to the lock mechanism inside the door with screws and is usually made out of metal
The Latch
The latch is part of the lock that keeps the door closed in the door frame. It’s located on the inside of the door, is operated by the handle or doorknob, and works in conjunction with the strict plate.
The purpose of the latch is that it allows a doof to be closed and latch shut. This is what makes Deadlatches so convenient.
Strike Plate
The strike plate is a metal plate that’s mounted in the door frame. It has a hole in it that lines up with the latch when the door is closed
Deadbolt
The deadbolt is a heavy-duty bolt that extends into the frame of the door. Deadbolts are an alternative option to a latch. While they provide a more secure lock, they lose the convenience of a latching function.
Key & Barrel
The key is what controls the function of locking and unlocking when inserted into the keyhole. The barrel is the lock mechanism that holds the pins and tumblers which are set to operate with the key.
Conclusion
Now that you know about the different parts of a door lock, you can have a better understanding of how your lock works. If you ever need to replace any parts, you’ll now be able to identify them.
Alternatively, seek a professional locksmith for more guidance on your specific lock to see if repair or replacement is best.
Of course, if your door has no lock at all, you will have to try these options for securing it.
