skip to main content

Handlesets for double doors - which brand?

12 years ago

We have double doors in our entry. Both doors open, but one is usually stationary, with top and bottom sliding pins holding it in place.

The deadbolt in the active door is messed up, so I'd like to refinish the doors and replace the handlesets. We'll likely replace all of the exterior door locks eventually, and I understand that you should use the same brand if you want them keyed alike.

Are some brands superior to others? Will my need for a dummy handleset limit my options, or are they usually offered with any brand?

I understand this is a window forum, but it seems the most logical place to post this question.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

someone2010
12 years ago
You can use whatever you like depending on how much money you can spend. All brands have a dummy handle. You can go from Kwikset to P.E. Guerin. Check to see if they will work in your existing holes.
quandary
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, someone2010. Since posting this, I've been looking at a Baldwin Lexington single cylinder mortise handleset trim set. With all the components, the cost approaches $1,000. I hope the quality is good.

The handlesets.com order page asks for the door thickness, backset and handing. The existing holes in my doors are 1 5/8" in diameter. Before ordering, I'll call to be sure the Baldwin handlesets will fit those holes.

I appreciate your advice. I'm nervous about having my doors removed while I refinish the doors and replace the locks. I want to avoid any unnecesary delays on this project.
Related Discussions
Which brand of doggie doors
Q
Comments (3)
We bought a Plexidor pet door and love it. The doors are solid clear plastic and very thick. We have had two of them. The first was the super giant size that can fit a St Bernard. We didn't have a dog that size, but we had a beagle (short legs) and a long legged shepherd mix. To have a door that went low enough for the beagle and was high enough for the shepherd mix, this was the best solution. That dog door was moved into 2 other doors, and worked great for many years. Then both those dogs passed away and we got a smaller dog, who is only 35 pounds. So we bought another plexi-door that was his size (no need to have a huge door for a smallish dog). We still have the original door, and if a big dog walks into our life we will install it into yet another door :) You can get replacement insulating strips for the Plexidor on their website. I won't lie, these doors are NOT cheap but they are a once in a lifetime purchase ... Unless you change the size of dogs you have :) Here is a link that might be useful: Plexidor website
...See More
ka double oven - worth it? and kitchen aid brand
Q
Comments (19)
I would agree with 'weissman' that for DW and a fridge, KA is probably as good as you can get. In those areas, Whirlpool Corp. (under any of their brand names) seems to excel. The cooking appliances though, may be another question. Jenn-Air (Whirlpool Corp.) is pushing so hard to move their ranges that they're giving away the DW. Tempting as that is, I'm not convinced that I want to take a chance on one. I can just see the electronics on the front failing or frying in another year or two. As far as double oven ranges, a single guy I know purchased a Kenmore Elite (prob mfg. by LG) 30" double oven range and liked it a lot. Said he used the smaller top oven almost exclusively. I haven't found many other friends who have gone that route, though. And, from my observation, a 30" range just doesn't have the necessary surface area to adequately handle 5 burners. A nice idea, but it seems you'll need to use rather small pots and pans to avoid them all bumping each other. Good luck with your decision.
...See More
Lighting help needed for 6' wide reach in closets with double doors
Q
Comments (3)
Consider using LED Tape lighting around all sides of the inner door trim to project light into all shelves. Attached an example image. American Lighting Trulux is one example of good quality LED Tape.
...See More
2 sets of french doors or double sliding patio doors
Q
Comments (23)
a few years ago I had Wonderful Windows come out and give me a quote. They said they would have to custom make my door. My slider is 9 ft X 8 ft. My house was built in 1978. The slider in our living area is in bad shape. There is another slider in the master bathroom (of all places) right next to the toilet. That one is smaller.
...See More
skydawggy
12 years ago
Might want to look at Schlage too.
quandary
Original Author
12 years ago
The Schlage is certainly more affordable -- is the quality of Baldwin better, or does the name just command a higher price? The cross bore on the Schlage is 2 1/8", which they indicate is most common. Should I try to find something to fit my 1 5/8" cross bore, or try to drill a bigger hole?

Thanks!
quandary
Original Author
12 years ago
A representative at handlesets.com directed me to 2 piece handlesets for 1 5/8" cross bores. The only brand they have available for that size cross bore is Weslock. Should I...
1. Go with Weslock,
2. Keep searching for other brands to fit my cross bore,

3. Try to enlarge the holes to the more standard 2 1/8" cross bore?
someone2010
12 years ago
I think you misunderstand what the door people are talking about. 2 1/8" is the backset. If you measure from the edge of the door to the center of the hole, you get the backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the hole ). The backset for the lock bolt should be 1 5/8" and the door knob should be 2 1/8". The diameter of the hole is whatever the instructions require.
IMO Baldwin is the better of the two locksets.
someone2010
12 years ago
DISREGUARD MY LAST MESSAGE. FOR AN EXTERIOR ENTRY DOOR THE BACKSET IS WHAT THE SPECS SAY; 2 3/4" I believe. That is the backset, not the size of the hole. MY BAD
millworkman
12 years ago
Actually backsets will most commonly be either 2 3/4" or 2 3/8" with many companies now including an adjustable backset to fit either depth.
quandary
Original Author
12 years ago
Don't apologize someone2010 -- this is new to me, and while I've tried to familiarize myself with the jargon, I don't want to give anybody the impression that I know what I'm doing! It never hurts for me to double-check. The Baldwin Lexington handleset I'm considering is available with a 2 1/2" backset, which mine is. It also fits my 1 3/4" thick doors. The only thing about my existing doors which limits my handleset choices is the diameter of the holes. Because we use the front door primarily, I do want good quality hardware. The Weslock is attractive enough and certainly less expensive, but you indicate that Baldwin is better. I don't mind paying more and going through the hassle of enlarging the diameter of the holes, if I wind up with trouble-free hardware.

I've posted on the woodworking forum about enlarging the holes, and they've given me good advice. I think I can do it myself. There are pitfalls, however. I could wind up with correctly-sized cross bores, but non-standard backsets -- I think I said that right!

Thanks!

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Which Window for Your World?

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

The view and fresh air from your windows make a huge impact on the experience of being in your house

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Great Kitchen Styles — Which One’s for You?

By Sheila Schmitz

Sometimes you can be surprised by the kitchen style that really calls to you. The proof is in the pictures

KITCHEN SINKS Which Faucet Goes With a Farmhouse Sink?

By Toronto Interior Design Group

A variety of faucet styles work with the classic farmhouse sink. Here’s how to find the right one for your kitchen

LAUNDRY ROOMS Double-Duty Savvy: 10 Supersmart Laundry Room Combos

By Becky Harris

Throw some extra function in along with the fabric softener to spin your laundry room into mutitasking mode

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Double Trouble and a Happy Ending

By Becky Harris

Burst pipes result in back-to-back kitchen renovations. The second time around, this interior designer gets her kitchen just right

LIVING ROOMS Double-Sided Fireplaces Multiply Design Options

By The Inman Company

Flames on two (or more) sides of a fireplace turn up the heat in interior designs

MOST POPULAR How to Choose a Front Door Color

By Vanessa Brunner

If choosing a door paint isn't an open-and-shut case for you, here's help

FUN HOUZZ Houzz Quiz: What Color Should Your Front Door Be?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Think you’re hip enough for orange? Or optimistic enough for yellow? Take our front-door personality quiz and find out

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Black

By Jennifer Ott Design

Love the idea of a black front door? Here are 8 exterior palettes to make it work

CURB APPEAL 9 Daring Colors for Your Front Door

By Jennifer Ott Design

Stand out from the neighbors with a touch of neon green or a punch of hot pink

Sponsored

Integrity Woodworking Inc

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry Professionals

More Discussions

Are Marvin windows hard to open?

23

help with exterior colors and siding

8

Plantation Shutters

0

Kitchen window and outlet dilemma

6

Help! Windows don’t align

4