Pocket doors are best for spaces where regular sliding doors become an obstacle. For example, small spaces or places with many obstacles around. Also, by installing pocket doors, you get extra security and privacy.
Most pocket door locks are solid and very resistant. Their large variety of shapes, materials and designs adapt perfectly to any type of decoration. Similarly, to locking systems for swinging doors, pocket door locks allow locking from both sides.
This feature is quite convenient in many cases. Today you’ll know in which situations having this type of locking systems is more appropriate compared to the rest. In addition, you’ll learn how to lock a door from both sides with pocket door locks.
What is Pocket Door Lock?
It’s a device that allows blocking the movement of a pocket door. Commonly, they’re robust and very resistant, made of stainless steel, brass or bronze.
In the market there are too many models to choose from, each appropriate for a particular type of door or decoration. Installing them is very simple, but the procedure may vary slightly according to the model.
Generally, you don’t need many tools to do it, especially if the hole intended for the lock already exists in the door.
Pocket door locks allow locking the door from one or both sides. Usually, the user can operate the locking mechanism using a thumbturn or a key.
After turning the thumbturn or the key, the mechanism pushes a latch that inserts into a hole in the door frame. While latch is larger, the safer is the pocket door lock.
Above all, key pocket door locks are the safest, because they guarantee that only the owner of the key can access through the door. They are the most appropriate to protect valuable assets within a given area.
Among all the available materials, there’s nothing better than stainless steel. Pocket doors of this material are more resistant and brighter than the rest. If you want to make your doors attract the attention of your visitors, these locks are the most appropriate.
Benefits of Both Sides Working Pocket Door Lock
Locking a pocket door from both sides is an incredible advantage. When it comes to practicality and safety, there are no pocket doors superior to these. Below you will know several reasons why installing them in your pocket doors is always a good idea.
Provide Privacy on Both Sides of The Door
One of the common uses of pocket doors is to divide two common areas. For example, a kitchen and a dining room. When there are pocket doors installed in adjoining rooms, it’s convenient to install systems to locking from both sides.
That way, the user in each room is free to control their own privacy. This will prevent the roommate next door from entering at an inappropriate time.
Locking from both sides also eliminates the need to walk a long distance to reach the other side to lock or unlock.
Safe for Outdoor Uses
Most pocket doors are suitable for indoor uses, because they aren’t exactly the safest ones. For example, those that lock from one side, have a small screw that allows you to unlock the latch in case of emergency.
Therefore, anyone with the right tool could manipulate the locking system. However, key pocket door locks that lock from both sides are safer, because only people who have the key can access through the door.
Therefore, you can use them in outdoor spaces. However, it’s advisable to choose doors of resistant materials for these cases. In addition, the latch must be robust enough to prevent great efforts.
How to Lock a Pocket Door from In & Out?
To lock a pocket door from both sides, you need to install a pocket door lock with this feature. As stated before, these locking systems use thumbturns or keys to operate the locking system.
Next, you’ll know step by step how to lock a pocket door from in & out on each type of locking system.
With Thumbturns
A thumbturn is a small metal piece that pushes or retracts the latch every time you turn it. So, to lock or unlock from either side of the door, you just need to handle the turning mechanism.
These door locks are very easy to handle, especially when the thumbturn is large enough to allow proper grip.
With Keys
In the case of key pocket door locks, the procedure is similar, but first you must insert a key in the keyway. Once the key is inside, you just have to turn it as you would with a thumbturn to push or retract the latch.
Conclusion
Above all, pocket door locks that lock from both sides are safer and provide privacy whenever the user requires it. In addition, they’re elegant and discreet and adapt to any type of decoration.
In contrast to other models, dual pocket door locks are ideal for both indoor and outdoor purposes. With one of these, you have no excuse for not installing a pocket door lock in any space in your home.
You may also like to read: