New front door - only locks with the key?

daz

daz

daz

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Got a new composite front door installed by Everest last week, and I was under the impression that the door should lock when I lift the handle up from the outside, and that when I use the key it will 'double lock'?

As it stands, I can only lock the door when I actually use the key to lock it. Whilst not the biggest pain in the world - it's something else to remember and I would prefer for it to lock automatically in some way.

Going to give Everest a call to find out what the deal is, but is it expected/normal?
 
Never heard of a door that locks when you lift the handle from the outside, our you lift handle and use the key. If you dont lift the handle then the 2 bits (top and bottom) dont latch. But it still locks.
 
Never come across this myself either. Lifting the handle engages most of the various locking bolts, but it doesnt stop you from being able to push the handle back down until you actuall turn the key.
 
daz said:
Going to give Everest a call to find out what the deal is, but is it expected/normal?
Click to expand...
Not sure if its normal, but its how the front door of my parents' house works.

If you are outside and the door is just closed on, pushing the handle down will open it.

If you lift the handle it lowers the latches in the door into the frame and you can only open from inside / need a key to open from the outside.

If you then lock with a key (which you can only do after lifting the handle) the door cannot be opened from either side.
 
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Doors on a small new build plot a mate bought, the door can't be opened from the outside without the key but can still be opened from the inside. You still need the key to lock (double lock) it properly though. It's some sort of security feature as the doors back straight onto a public footpath. The feature can be turned off by sliding a latch on the side of the door next to one of the bolts.

You don't need to lift any handles though unless you are locking it properly with the key.
 
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I have a colleague with this mechanism and he's locked himself out on numerous occasions... Crazy system.
 
this is the new 'more secure' locking system.

I have one on my new Rockdoor. It's a bit strange to have to lock the door with the key even when inside the house but apparently it's a much stronger security system
 
daz said:
Got a new composite front door installed by Everest last week, and I was under the impression that the door should lock when I lift the handle up from the outside, and that when I use the key it will 'double lock'?

As it stands, I can only lock the door when I actually use the key to lock it. Whilst not the biggest pain in the world - it's something else to remember and I would prefer for it to lock automatically in some way.

Going to give Everest a call to find out what the deal is, but is it expected/normal?
Click to expand...

This is how my Crystal Windows & Doors one works and believe all re-enforced ones work the same way.

Pulling the door to from outside just engages the single latch next to the lock. Turning the key (as mall rotation of the key) open the the door.

Lifting the handle from outside causes all the additional locking elements in the door to engage with the door frame. Pushing the handle back down disengages these elements.

To "double lock" the door, lift the handle and then rotate the key a full turn in the lock. After doing this, you shouldn't be able to push the handle down.

To unlock, rotate the key a full turn, then push the handle down. Rotate the key again to open the door.
 
Sounds like a manual nightlatch...

Why would you even do this.

With a normal lock when you lock your front door as you go out you absolutely can be sure you have the key.


Or is the bit where bolts are pushed from the door edges into the frame being confused with actually locking the door.
 
The one I was on about only locks one catch from the outside when you close the door. It's basically to stop strange folk walking in off the street but you couldn't leave your house with in locked like that as the door wouldn't be secure enough without locking properly with the key.
 
About all split spindle locks work that way - outside handle up to engage shoot bolts into the frame, then pushing it down doesn't unlock the door and key is required, turning the key to lock as normally additionally immobilises shoot bolts and extends barrel dead lock into the frame.
The obvious downside is that without disengaging latch bolt manually from the inside once you go outside and shut the door behind you, you may become locked out of property. The advantage however is that "single locking" your door, just by pushing the handle up, without turning the key is as secure as bolting and turning the lock in regular door as it's fully protected by latch and shoot bolts.
 
glitch said:
Not sure if its normal, but its how the front door of my parents' house works.

If you are outside and the door is just closed on, pushing the handle down will open it.

If you lift the handle it lowers the latches in the door into the frame and you can only open from inside / need a key to open from the outside.

If you then lock with a key (which you can only do after lifting the handle) the door cannot be opened from either side.
Click to expand...

This sounds like what I thought was the system, maybe there is a switch or latch to change that hidden somewhere. I just wanted to sanity check before calling them. :p
 
To be honest, I thought this was how all doors of this style worked! I'm so used to it that it has become second-nature. Quite surprised it seems to have blown the minds of a few people on here. :D

Check that there's not a lever, switch or something similar near the latch itself on the door if there's nothing else immediately obvious. My parents' front door has a dedicated dial on the inner door above the handle that controls the locking action, but the back door has a switch above the latch.
 
v0n said:
About all split spindle locks work that way - outside handle up to engage shoot bolts into the frame, then pushing it down doesn't unlock the door and key is required, turning the key to lock as normally additionally immobilises shoot bolts and extends barrel dead lock into the frame.
The obvious downside is that without disengaging latch bolt manually from the inside once you go outside and shut the door behind you, you may become locked out of property. The advantage however is that "single locking" your door, just by pushing the handle up, without turning the key is as secure as bolting and turning the lock in regular door as it's fully protected by latch and shoot bolts.
Click to expand...

As above, i thought this was how all modern locking mechanisms worked.

Although you say pushing the handle up without turning the key is as secure as bolting and turning the lock? With our new door if you push the handle up to engage the bolts, but don't lock it. Someone else could come along, pull the handle down which disengages the bolts, and then leaves you with just the standard lock.
 
I don't understand the concern?

It's GOOD it's not so simple to lock the door and you need a key.... A) you keep the key safe and B) you don't lock yourself out.
 
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