Experience with Rim locks for entry and interior doors?

9 years ago

I'm obsessing about the hardware on the doors of our new/old farmhouse inspired type build. My first choice was the Emtek black backplate with porcelain knobs, but I'm being swayed by the old fashioned rim locks, especially for the entry doors and dutch doors (1 main entry, 4 other side entry doors (3 dutch), and 2 sets of french doors). I figured I could increase the safety on them with deadbolts and top locks.

As entry door hardware goes, it's quite a value. :) Am I missing something?

Has anyone used these on a new build and disliked the way they "felt" or functioned?

House of Antique sells them for $69 for a set - and the Emtek sells for $99 plus. Given the sheer number of doors in my house I figure that's a decent savings and I love the charm. But I don't want to lose function for charm. I also don't want to frustrate my contractor. :) Any thoughts?

Here is a link that might be useful: house of antique hardware

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Comments (6)

bus_driver
9 years ago
In my area, the houses built originally using rim locks used them only on interior doors. The exterior doors used mortise locks. I own, but no longer live in, one such house.
I remember when those were just a few dollars each. I save old ones and sometimes manage to get enough assorted parts to assemble a usable one.
Often the interior doors were just 1" thick and too thin to use any other type lock.

This post was edited by bus_driver on Fri, Oct 17, 14 at 13:53
bus_driver
9 years ago
Delete duplicate

This post was edited by bus_driver on Fri, Oct 17, 14 at 13:50
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Thanks a bunch for all the good input. 1)The hardware links upthread are great, although I haven't located anything from them that fits the bill. 2) Jumpilotmdm & millworkman: You're right. Doors are 1-3/4" thick. Typo corrected. Btw: Doorknob setback is 2-1/2" - 2-5/8". (I took off a touch too much wood on the door edge to get the doors to fit 3) circuspeanut: 'There are locking slide bolts you could install on the desired side, but they appear to be intended for non-wooden patio doors and are rather hideous - maybe with some luck you can scare up a nicer version?' It's concept that had occurred to me (even though the doors already have two slide bolts on them), but I looked around and couldn't find a locking one. And your right regarding hideousness ... might as well put a hasp and padlock on the door, which I am unfortunately very close to doing as my time is running out and I need a solution. 4) sacto_diane: A rabbeted mortice looks promising, though it seems it would be perhaps a federal case to get locate one that would fit? Also, I'd prefer if at all possible, a modern key vs. skeleton key, but if I could locate a correct rabbeted mortice I'd likely call it a day.
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Oaktown
9 years ago
If these require a key to unlock from inside, be sure to check code. Where we are, such a lock would not pass inspection. There was an older thread that touched on that topic.

Pretty knobs!

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread re door escape requirements
lazy_gardens
9 years ago
We have rim locks on some doors. LOVE them because they are so easy to install on a slab door with craftsman trim.

You can get some with a small knob to open them from the other side so you can avoid being locked in or out.
redheadeddaughter
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the responses. I read through the door escape requirements that you posted Oaktown (thank you!) and I still am confused as to what code requires here. I"ll have to discuss with the builder I suppose. There is a way to disable the privacy latch when you install them (just removing the part and opening the box), but there is a key on the inside - not sure how this would differ from a regular privacy knob though if we left the key in? (I called HOAH to talk this morning - their only caveat was that exterior products should be brass and not cast iron for longevity) But logically, you are right, this wouldn't pass code looking at the rationale. I wonder if they make these without locks, just latches?
eaga
9 years ago
We have a rim lock on one of our exterior doors, supplemented by a deadbolt. We have an old house, and there was what I guess was the original rim lock there when we bought the house, but it had no keeper. To replace it, I got one of the more ornate rim locks with keeper from HOAH. What I discovered was that the door frame wasn't on the same plane as the door, so I had to affix a piece of wood to bring the keeper in line with the latch. Also, the doorframe didn't seem to have enough wood behind it where the keeper needed to go, so the screws holding the keeper kept coming loose. I solved this by affixing the aforementioned piece of wood further way from the edge of the doorframe. So this is a long way of saying that you would need to let your contractor know that the doorframe needs to be able to accomodate the keeper.

Also, if you live in a cold climate, you'll want to get draft covers for your keyholes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Draft cover

Experience with Rim locks for entry and interior doors?

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bus_driver

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Experience with Rim locks for entry and interior doors?

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bus_driver

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