Exterior door handle recommendations

[TwiceOver]

So one of our deadbolts sucks and the handle on the other exterior door handle sucks so we decided to get a new set for each of our exterior doors. I decided to buy good deadbolts, but when looking at door handles (not knobs) they all seems to be fairly pricey because they are "Entry" levers with locks that we'll never use.

My question... Can I just use a regular passage door handle (without lock) for both my exterior doors? I mean, I know "yes" I "can", but what really is the drawback? I originally thought they might not be as rugged, but I use my bathroom door more than my front door, so that thinking doesn't stand.

Any thoughts, suggestions? Brand recommendations?

Old thread revived and moved from OT to Home and Garden.
admin allisolm

 

[MotF Bane]

So you want to have two items through the door - one a deadbolt to serve as the lock, and the other a handle to latch the door and pull the door by?

I see nothing wrong with using a non-locking handle in that case.

 

[TwiceOver]

Yeah. That's basically what we do now condisering we never lock the door handle. I always figured if a "robber" can get through the deadbolt, the door handle would just be a nuisance.

 

[highland145]

My office is that way. No one had a key to the regular lock so I took the latch out. The house is similar, 1937 lock set that used skeleton keys. The dead bolt is the only lock.

 

[feralkid]

It's becoming very common to do it this way.

The knob-locks never offered much security anyway.

 

[Sluggo]

Thats the way we did ours, just a regular passage lockset for the bottom lock, deadbolt on top.

It's been over 6 years and no problems; you also never lock yourself out. 😛

EDIT to actually answer.

We just used Schlage, but I think the brand dnames are all the same until you get up to Medeco deadbolts or something.

 

[highland145]

It's becoming very common to do it this way.

The knob-locks never offered much security anyway.

Dead bolts don't offer much either on a regular frame. When we remodel the kitchen, I'm going to beef up the frame.

 

[feralkid]

Dead bolts don't offer much either on a regular frame. When we remodel the kitchen, I'm going to beef up the frame.

Good idea; most dead bolts now come with a reinforcement plate that is screwed into the framing stud.

 

[edro]

I know you already have a deadbolt, but we have this Kwik Set Electronic one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0NRMEVD2A20RB30YEVNZ

It freaking rocks! You never have to carry around or use a house key again.
Locking the door is as simple as pushing the lock button.
Unlocking is as simple as pushing a 4 digit combo.

I was worried about batteries dying, but we have had it install for 9 months and haven't had to change them yet.

We just used the handles from the same series, although we never lock them.

 

[TheVrolok]

Solid necro, although timely for me, was just discussing this Monday evening. Anyone using one of these digital locks? I was thinking about picking one of the keycode ones up for the back door.

 

[zinfamous]

Yeah, I have been lazily researching door locks because I want to replace all of my exterior doors (5) and re-core them for a 2 or 3-tier system, so I'm also curious about recommendations for brands.

^ I personally don't like "smart"/digital anything, but a simple key-code for the back could be nice, as long as it's only tied to that lock.

 

[highland145]

a simple key-code for the back could be nice, as long as it's only tied to that lock.

It's been 5 years ago but the one I had at the daycare was a POS. About $150 at the time.

 

[killster1]

Solid necro, although timely for me, was just discussing this Monday evening. Anyone using one of these digital locks? I was thinking about picking one of the keycode ones up for the back door.

well i use 3x schlade Camelot with a nice straight handle under it (door knob will be in the way) its very fun to open with my phone and use my knee to open the door while hands full of groceries.
You dont have to use smart functions can just use the key and keypad not connected to anything as well.

 

[herm0016]

Check out the lock picking lawyer on youtube. schlege stuff is generally more secure and better built than kwikset for example. the easy to rekey kwicksets are not secure at all.

 

[killster1]

Check out the lock picking lawyer on youtube. schlege stuff is generally more secure and better built than kwikset for example. the easy to rekey kwicksets are not secure at all.

ya i didnt mention it but the kwickset model with keypad was opened with a screw driver in 10 seconds.

schlade is around 150 regular price. 4xAA once every 4 or 5 months out of preventative care not because of low battery. (i use ebl 2800 rechargeable)