New house - front door won't lock

lauravenue

Hi,

Quick question - we moved house last friday, old house front door was same as all other houses we've lived in, when you leave the house you pull the handle up and it's locked, use key to double lock. Our new front door doesn't do this - pulling handle up once you leave still leaves front door able to be opened, same from inside, meaning we are locking with key behind us as soon as we come home. Obviously this is dangerous from a fire perspective etc, but i'm not sure what to do to fix it.

Front door is very old anyway - should I just get a whole new door? And is it as simple as me buying one from a shop or should I get someone proper in to fit it? Or will getting a locksmith in help? Don't want to live with the door like this much longer as it is rather dangerous I think!

Thanks,

Silvertabby

Our front door locks in the same way as your current one, and we don't see it as a fire hazard.

We have 'blockers' for extra security, and just use the top blocker to secure the door when we are in the house.

Le_Kirk

In your other houses, how were you going to get out in the event of a fire if you raised the inside handle and the door locked without a key?

Jsnb88

I’m confused, so if you popped off to the shops you just pulled the handle up and didn’t have to use a key?

lauravenue

That makes sense - locking it with something else rather than using the key every time. Interesting point. Thanks.

I don't think you understand my original message, i'll try again and try to explain better. When I get home, I use a key to get into my house. That is because I locked it with a key when I left. Once inside the house, if I shut the door/pull the handle up from the inside, you can still get into the house from the outside by just using the handle, as I haven't used the key to lock it. So we are having to come home and lock ourselves in with the key to make sure you can't access the house from the outside. This means that if we needed to leave the house quickly, we would need to find a key and unlock ourselves.

Our previous house was like every other house i've lived in, come home, unlock door with key, close door behind you, pull up handle and that's it, to get in from the outside you need a key again. Meaning to leave the house, if not double locked, you just use the handle, as you are already inside.

There is probably a name for this type of lock/door, I just don't know what that is!

TheCyclingProgrammer

The way you describe how your current door works is perfectly normal. Lifting the handle engages the hooks and shoot bolts that secure the door in the frame. The key/cylinder is used to lock the handle.

You probably used to have a split spindle door:
https://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/security-door-locks-hardware-and-fittings/562/multipoint-locks/

If you're worried about fire safety, you could replace the cylinder with a thumb turn cylinder. If you've just moved in you probably ought to think about replacing the cylinders anyway.

If you want a fancy high-tech solution, Yale have a couple of keyless entry systems - the Conexis L1 can be retrofitted to your door if it meets the specifications (DIY) and can be unlocked using a key card, fob or app on your phone. The Yale Keyfree system needs professional installation and can be unlocked using the external key code, a remote fob or can be integrated into a home automation system with the right module. Neither are particularly cheap though.

We have the original Yale Keyfree (it doesn't have alternative modules, only the key fob module built in) and it's excellent. When we go out we simply lift the handle to engage the hooks. If we forget to engage the hooks the handle will timeout after a short period of time anyway and cannot be used to operate the latch. Internally you press a little black button on the handle and pull it down to open the door. You press it and lift up to securely lock it and engage the hooks. No keys necessary.

d0nkeyk0ng

As per TheCyclingProgrammer, you're used to a split spindle door. You could easily change the handle to this type and it'll be like your old one.

daivid

Is keeping a key nearby in a known location, but not in reach of the letterbox, not adequate for fire safety? My door catches when shut so needs a key from outside always but opens freely from inner handle. At night (or when out) I lock the door with a key, as clever application of a credit card would open the door from the outside otherwise. The key is on a shelf that must be passed to reach the outer door and would only take a hand full of seconds extra to unlock and exit.

Ectophile

That sounds like the way both my front and back doors work. When I had the front door fitted, I had a choice of how the lock would work.

It has the big advantage that you can never accidentally lock yourself out.

I leave a spare key hanging on a hook in the hallway, positioned where it can't be seen by anyone outside the house.

Wassa123

My door works the same. Pull up and lock with key else it doesn't lock.

Owain_Moneysaver

daivid wrote: »

Is keeping a key nearby in a known location, but not in reach of the letterbox, not adequate for fire safety?

No. In the dark, smoke, heat, and panic, you'll drop it or not be able to find the keyhole.

Whole families have been found dead inside their front door after a fire, all piled up on each other with the key on the floor underneath them.