What is a Door Latch?
A door latch is a type of mechanical fastener that is used to join two (or more) objects or surfaces together while allowing for the regular or eventual separation of the objects or surfaces. In other words, the door latch is the little piece of hardware that helps keep a door shut so it doesn't open by itself. A latch typically engages another piece of hardware on the other mounting surface. Then, when you want to open a door, the latch must be moved out of the way so it can open.
You may think that all you would need to do if you are in need of a latch is simply order one and then it would be boxed up right away and shipped to your front door, but you would be wrong. It's a little more complicated, because there are several kinds of latches. They function basically the same, but there are small differences, so let's go over some of the basic door latch types that we are familiar with.
5 Common Types of Door Latches
- Standard Latch
Here is your standard latch. It's the basic one you would use on a passage or privacy door or the interior doors of your home. Each latch will come with a rectangular shaped face plate with either round corners or square corners. The face plates require chiseling out the wood on the side of the door (where the plunger part of the latch comes in and out), that way the plate is flush and screw mounted to the door. - Drive-in Latch
Drive-in latches are also used for passage or privacy doors. As you can see, unlike the standard latch there is no face plate. These are placed in the door and do not require chiseling out wood as the standard latch does. - Dead-latch
The Dead-latch is only used for keyed door knobs/levers, like on an exterior door for example. What make these unique is the cylindrical plunger next to the main one, which makes exterior doors more secure and harder for an intruder to enter. - 28 Degree Retract Latch
The 28 degree retract latch as you can see makes it so the lever or knob won't have to turn as much to recess the plunger and open the door. Makes life easier. - Deadbolt Latch
A deadbolt latch is used for the deadbolts only. It has a square plunger that is not spring loaded like the others. It will only go in and out of the door by the turn of the tumbturn or use of the key.
What is the Difference Between a Door Latch and Door Knob?
Not to be confused with the actual lever or knob of the door, a latch has a spring loaded plunger that you see from the side of the door. When the door knob or lever is turned, the plunger is recessed into the door and then it will spring back out of the door when the knob or lever is released.
Shop all parts for doorknobs and door hardware to find replacement pieces and parts that you need. Note that some door latch backsets are adjustable (2 3/8" - 2 3/4"), but some will not adjust which means you will need to measure your door to make sure what size will fit. Most of these details are located in the description of the hardware, but if you have any questions, our experts are happy to help. Find more door hardware help on our website or, if you need more assistance from our experts with orders or projects, contact us for a response by email or phone within 24 business hours.
