Glossary of terms.

As with most help guides and diy projects it’s the trade terminology and ‘techno speak’ that can become sometimes more problematic than the actual application! That’s why we at doorchic have endeavored to interpret these, sometimes foreign sounding terms, into something that can, hopefully, be understood by all.

1.  Backplate: A plate, usually rectangular, onto which handles and knobs are attached.

2.  Backset: The measurement between the outer face of the lock/Latch faceplate to the centre point of the key hole, handle, or knob.

3.  Bathroom Lock: An internal two bolt mortice lock, where the deadbolt is thumb turn operated.

4.  Bathroom/ Privacy: Door furniture operated by a small knob (snib). This furniture uses a tubular latch, can show engaged/empty indications, and operates an external emergency coin release system.

5.  Bolt Hole: Rectangular hole, on a rebate, which fixes to the door frame, into which the latch or lock tongue slides to secure the door.

6.  Cabinet lock: A term for locks for differing types of smaller furniture e.g. Cabinets, cupboards, and drawers etc. 

7.  Case: The metal part of a lock or latch containing the workings.

8.  Casement Fastener: A locking window system for casement windows.

9.  Casement Stay: A bar used for fixing open a casement window.

10. Centres: The measurement between the centre point of the key hole and the spindle hole on a lock.

11. Cylinder Latch: A lock for an entrance door (Rim or Mortice) which is opened by a key from outside and by knob from the inside. It can usually be set with the latch in the permanently open or shut (latched) position by a catch (hold back) inside the door. The latch has the same metal tongue as the lock.

12. Cylinder Pull: The attachment that allows a door to be opened without a knob or handle when used in conjunction with a cylinder locking system.

13. Dead Latch: A mortice or rim type latch that locks the door by the use of a key externally, but can be released internally by a knob or handle.

14. Deadlock: A lock which is worked, usually by a key bolt mechanism, from both sides and has no latch. Therefore the door knobs only use is to push/pull.

15. Deadlocking: A locking mechanism that prevents a latch or bolt being operated without a key whilst the door is closed.

16. Euro Profile: European sized metal plated key hole which is widely used throughout the UK. For use with a cylinder.

17. Escutcheon/ Key plate: A usually metal plate round a key hole. Can be covered by a keyhole cover (key drop). There are three main types of escutcheon: Standard Key, Euro, and Oval. 

18. Follower: A square hole within the latch or lock mechanism through which the spindle fits (before attachment to the handle or knob). As the handle/knob is turned, the spindle turns the follower and the latch is operated.

19. Forend (inner/outer) or Faceplate: The ‘face’ of the lock/latch. The part that is visible once the mechanism is sunk (morticed) into the door. 

20. Hand: Refers to right and left handed opening. For example- a door is right hand hung if a person opens the door towards themselves with the hinges on their right. You must ensure that the sloping edge (bevel) of the latch is also facing to the right.

21. Latch: A door fastening that uses a bevelled metal tongue, operated by a door handle or knob and controlled by a spring which engages when the door is closed, without a key being turned.

22. Lever: Moveable part within the lock that, once the correct key is engaged, allows the operation of the system. 

23. Lever Handle: A lever mechanism used to operate a latch or lock system. There are two types (a) Sprung- Handle returns to the original position via its own internal mechanism. (b) Unsprung- There is no internal spring system within the handle and is used with a heavier sprung latch or lock to compensate.

24. Mortice: A slot cut into the door to accommodate the lock or latch system.

25. Night Latch: A rim or mortice operated locking system that allows key access from the outside and a small knob (snib) to either lock the system or hold the latch bolt back.

26. Pass: Where two or more locks are worked by the same key. When a key can be used in a lock it is said to ‘pass’, therefore if all locks are the same then the master key will ‘pass all’.

27. Rim lock or latch: A ‘metal box’ mechanism fixed to the inside face of a door (rim) and operated by a rim knob set.

28. Roller Bolt: A sprung roller bolt system that engages with the door frame through a spring loaded mechanism. when the door is pushed closed. 

29. Rose: Circular plate onto which door handles and sometimes knobs are attached.

30. Sash: A type of window usually operated by ‘push up/ pull down’, and incorporating a pulley system.

31. Sash window Lock: A fastening at the meeting point of sash windows.

32. Snib: Small knob that is usually used with a bathroom privacy system. Also called a Turn.

33. Spindle: A square piece of metal that passes through the door, connecting the handles or knobs together, and so operating the latch/bolt mechanism by their turning.

34. Striking Plate: A plate with a rectangular hole that is screwed to the mortice in a door frame. As the door closes, the latch or lock slides against it, and holds the door closed by passing into the rectangular hole.

35. Thumbturn: A small knob or snib which operates the deadlocking system within a Bathroom/bedroom lock.

36. Two-way follower: A mechanism within a lock or latch system that allows movement to the right and left. Usually used with a knob set.

37. Half-Sprung: Only one set of furniture is sprung and so should be used with medium or heavy sprung latches.