Exterior door handle recommendations

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
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
 
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MotF Bane

No Lifer
Dec 22, 2006
60,801
10
0
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

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
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

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,334
136
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

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,794
4,887
136
It's becoming very common to do it this way.

The knob-locks never offered much security anyway.
 

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
15,488
5
81
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. :p

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.
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,794
4,887
136
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

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
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.
 
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TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,092
136
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

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,555
30,775
146
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.
 

killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,205
475
126
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

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,498
1,115
126
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

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,205
475
126
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)