Bedroom Privacy

digisatman · 24 Mar 2014 at 14:55

Hey all,

Im looking to change the handle on my room to have a lock like bathrooms do, really not good with DIY but willing to give it a go. Belows a picture of current handle, would this be a fairly easy job? Im thinking of just taking exsiting handle out, use existing cavity and just drilling further out so new bigger lock can go in.

a lot of the bathroom locks and handles I have seen tend to have a handle facing in the opposite direction, is this easy to change I guess? As per below:

Looking into getting a drill aswell, a lot of them say "Hammer drill" would this be ok for just drilling into plasterboard aswell? Ie, do they still have non "hammer" functionality when drilling a simple hole?

Sorry for all the questions im really useless when it comes to DIY!

Cheers all.

Gilly · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:04

A hammer drill will have a 'drill' mode as well. There will be a slider, probably along the top somewhere.

You can put the handles on however you like usually. Note that most bathroom locking handles are not intended for security but for privacy. They can be opened from the outside with a key of some sort.

Zefan · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:04

It'd be easier to just fit a sliding bolt than change the entire handle!

tom_e · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:10

Zefan said:
It'd be easier to just fit a sliding bolt than change the entire handle!

This was my first thought too, as Gilly said if you're planning on using it to lock the room when you go out as well then bathroom locks aren't of much use if someone really wants to poke around.

digisatman · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:11

Zefan said:
It'd be easier to just fit a sliding bolt than change the entire handle!

That is a fair point, reason why I was thinking bathroom handle was it looked a bit more in place than a sliding bolt, but its a good point would be way easier!

The lock is just to stop anyone from coming in while im inside really thats all, dont really need a key lock per say.

digisatman · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:16

Actually thinking about it, while the sliding bolt would fit on the door, there doesnt seem to be enough flat space on the skirting side to fit the bracket?

Lopéz · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:49

A proper mortice lock like you posted would look a lot nicer than a sliding bolt.

Gilly is right, a hammer drill will also have a normal drilling function. Get a hammer drill, they aren't usually much more expensive and are far more versatile.

Beans on toast Dave · 24 Mar 2014 at 18:09

just put a piece of wood from the floor to the underside of the handle to stop it turning, thats what i used to do

or get a sliding lock, would be the easy way

wesimmo · 24 Mar 2014 at 18:26

Or just put a sign up "Self Pleasuring - Please come back in 5 minutes if your request is urgent"

ins0mn1ac · 24 Mar 2014 at 21:18

digisatman said:
Actually thinking about it, while the sliding bolt would fit on the door, there doesnt seem to be enough flat space on the skirting side to fit the bracket?

Just dig a notch out so you can place the receiver for the sliding bolt, itll look tidy if you nestle it in to size.

bazzabear · 24 Mar 2014 at 21:25

Can you not get a handle where the locking system just locks the normal latch into place, rather than have a separate latch of it's own? This would mean that you don't need an extra hole in the frame.

digisatman · 25 Mar 2014 at 11:54

ins0mn1ac said:
Just dig a notch out so you can place the receiver for the sliding bolt, itll look tidy if you nestle it in to size.

Sounds like a good idea, whats the best way of digging it out neatly, a wood chisel or a blade or something? I think they call that skirting bit 'architrave'.

Musty Pie · 25 Mar 2014 at 12:00

wesimmo said:
Or just put a sign up "Self Pleasuring - Please come back in 5 minutes if your request is urgent"

Glad I was not the only one thinking of this when I was reading the OP!

I would go with a slide bolt for ease but again it depends on how nice you want it to look. All of the above would be ruined with a swift kick anyway. Hulk style!

The moral of this story is that you will never achieve true privacy.

J-FRO · 25 Mar 2014 at 12:15

The problem with changing the actual door handle is that it will not match the other door handles in the house. Most people have the same door handles throughout, right?

I'd go for one of those small sliding barrel bolts. They're cheap as chips too.

As for the architrave, you may find you have just enough room to screw the small bit to without have to cut anything. If not then I'd hammer and chisel it.