Door locks with lever handles are a very common form of security that you can find almost everywhere. They are among the most basic types of door security; your home or office may have them on their doors.
The levers provide support when pushing or pulling the door open and close and also engage a bolt inside the lock to lock or unlock the door when turned. Many have keyholes or knobs, and some only have a lever handle. If you want to buy lever handle locks, you can check out their different types in this article.
Trendy Lever Options
These are some of the most popular lever options for your door:
Keyed Levers
Keyed lever locks are the most common type available in the market. As the name suggests, this lock has keyholes on both sides of the lock, along with a handle that can be turned. There are 2 bolt systems inside this lock. The primary bolt system can be operated easily using the door handles but the secondary bolts can be operated only with the proper keys. You can open the lock from either side of the door; to open the door, both bolts need to open.
Passage Levers
Passage levers are door locks with no key slots. They only have one set of bolts operated by turning the handle. They keep the door shut when required, but you can open it easily whenever you want. Passage levers do not provide security as they do not require any keys, but they are good for use on doors that never require to be locked. They are perfect for doors inside the home where quick access is required, like closets, kitchens, and hallways.
Privacy Levers
Privacy levers are a type of door lock with 2 bolts and a handle, but they lack a keyhole. Typically, the secondary bolt is operated by turning the door handle, and the primary bolt is operated by turning a knob available only on one side of the door. These locks are perfect for rooms that need privacy, but security is not a concern, like bathrooms and dressing rooms.
Only the secondary bolt is engaged when no one is inside the room, and the door can be opened by turning the handle from the outside. When you are inside the room, you can engage the primary bolt by turning the knob, and the door will become unopenable from the outside till you decide to leave the room.
Dummy Levers
Dummy levers do not have any bolts attached to them. They act mainly as door handles to pull and push the door close without providing security or holding it shut. Dummy levers are used mainly for aesthetic purposes and as door handles. You may find some dummy lever variants you can turn, but most are unmovable.
Entry Levers
Entry levers are a hybrid between keyed levers and privacy levers. They have a keyhole on the outside of the door and a knob on the inside. They also have 2 sets of bolts; the primary bolts can be operated by a key from the front of the door and by using the knob from the back.
These locks are perfect for the main doors of a house as they stop intruders from entering the house without opening the lock but allow the residents to leave the house easily. The lock engages automatically, so avoid leaving the house without the door key. If you do so, you may get locked out, and no one is inside the house to engage the knob.
Storeroom Levers
Storeroom levers are a variant of keyed levers. They have a handle and a keyhole on the front of the door but nothing on the back. The lock contains 2 bolt systems, just like keyed levers. Storeroom levers can be opened and closed with the help of a key only from the front of the door. There is no way to operate the lock from the back of the door.
This type of lock is used in rooms that store goods and require high security. They are not meant for rooms where people might live or work.
Hospital Levers
Hospital levers are simple lock systems that are very easy to operate. They do not have any keyholes and contain only one set of bolts. The primary purpose of hospital levers is to provide ease of access and the ability to open doors by pushing them without requiring hands. They usually consist of long bars that turn towards and away from the door, which is very easy to push on.
These levers are used mainly in restaurants and hospitals where people carry items and cannot use their hands or do not want to touch the door for hygienic reasons.
Classroom Levers
Classroom lever door locks secure doors where people can easily exit but need the key to enter. The lock consists of a handle on both sides of the door and a keyhole on one side. There are no knobs on either side. Anyone can exit the room easily by turning the handle from the inside but cannot enter the room if they do not have the key.
Conclusion
Door lever locks are very common security devices that have been used on doors as security devices for at least a century at the minimum. They are usually very simple devices with bolts that open or close depending on the position of the lever handle or the key.
You can find many types of level locks in the market, each suited for unique situations and types of doors. You can also find them in various colours, aesthetic designs, sizes and materials. You should choose a lever lock that suits and enhances your home’s decor within your budget. Most importantly, choose a lever lock that is sturdy, durable and rigorous enough to protect you from intruders and other threats.
