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If that’s the case, an aged finish might be best suited. For example, a sleek, stainless steel pocket door lock might best suit the aesthetic of a modern home.Īs mentioned above, this lock could be intended for an older pocket door. Many of the best pocket door locks are available in several finishes, providing plenty of choices for matching the room or space in which they’re located.
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Choosing the right finish for the accompanying lock is important. Whether they’re an original feature or a modern addition during a renovation, they make a significant impact. Pocket doors provide an excellent touch to a home’s aesthetic. Since you can select either a round or a square lock, consider simply choosing a product that best matches your decor and personal tastes. However, it might be possible to retrofit a square lock into a pocket door with a round hole with a bit of effort.įor a new door, the decision is entirely up to you. Retrofitting a round lock to a square hole is not possible, as the material required to mount the lock and latch will be missing. In fact, you might not have a decision to make at all if the door is old, you’ll likely have to use a lockset that fits the existing opening. Age of Doorĭepending on whether you’re installing a new pocket door, replacing the hardware in an old one, or retrofitting an old door in a new opening, the decision between a round or square lockset might be quite easy. These devices often feature oversize lips (or edges) that slide over the latch side of the door, hiding any discrepancies and creating a smooth, uniform look. This approach also works for square pocket door locks. Simply tighten the bolts until the lockset squeezes firmly against the door. The good news is that most round pocket door locks provide enough flexibility and adjustment capability to fit most interior doors.
#Pocket door lock install#
For this reason, it’s essential to choose the best pocket door lock based on the thickness of the door in which you plan to install it. On occasion, pocket doors can be even thinner than most traditional interior doors. In general, interior doors are thinner than doors in exterior walls. Be sure to carefully read each section to make the best possible decision for your pocket door. The following section will break down some of the most important considerations to keep in mind while shopping for these unique pieces of hardware. Several factors go into choosing the best pocket door lock. Photo: What to Consider When Choosing the Best Pocket Door Lock
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However, if the door originally had a square lockset, a round lockset is not a possibility. If a door has a round hole, there is a chance that a square pocket door lock might still fit. After removal of that section of the door, the entire lock slides into place in one piece and screws to the body of the door. Instead of using a set of holes drilled through the door, they install by first cutting a square shape out of the door. Square pocket door locks are a different construction altogether. However, some of the best pocket door locks feature adjustable backsets to make them a bit more flexible during installation. Again, this is similar to a traditional door lock. Round pocket door locks most often use 2⅜-inch backsets, which describe the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the hole. This process is very similar to the installation of a traditional lockset. Their latches slide into a separate hole, which is usually about 1 inch in diameter. These locks install into a round hole in the door that is typically 2⅛ inches in diameter. RoundĪs the name suggests, round pocket door locks are circular in design. Read on to learn a bit more about these two types. However, if you’re retrofitting a new lock to an old door, you’ll have to match the current lock. The type you choose could depend simply on your particular design taste. The best pocket door lock is available in two basic types, round and square, which differ not only in design but also in installation.
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