Woman with hand on hip
A privacy lock is a lock designed to allow someone to quickly lock a room from the inside for privacy. These locks are most often seen in bedrooms and bathrooms, where people may not necessarily be concerned about security, but have reasons to lock the door to prevent entry. Many hardware stores offer privacy locks that can be used to replace broken or damaged locks or to replace doors that won’t lock to provide more privacy. No special skills are required to install the lock, although it is sometimes necessary to cut a new opening in the door to install the hardware and this may require some special tools.
The privacy lock has a button or tab that people can press to lock the door once they enter the room with the door closed. When the door handle is turned inside out, the door automatically unlocks. If there is an emergency and someone needs to get into the locked room, a small opening in the door is large enough to fit a slim tool, which can be used to change the lock to open the door.
The purpose of this type of lock is not security. In addition to the hole in the door that allows it to be easily opened from the outside, many times the lock can be broken by a hammer or a strong blow. Especially if the door is thin or the frame is of poor quality, it can be very easy to enter a room with a privacy lock. However, the lock ensures that people do not accidentally open the door while someone is inside.
When installing a privacy lock, care must be taken to ensure the lock is installed on the correct side. It is also important to purchase a suitable door handle. If possible, people will find it easier to install a lock when they can use already drilled holes in a door for an earlier fit. People who take the old lock to a hardware store can compare it to the new one to see if it fits or not. Team members can also request custom hardware for a privacy lock if a specific design or finish is required.
This internal lock can be installed in any room of a building. For added security in environments where people want security as well as privacy, a more robust lock can be installed. This lock will require a key, code, card, or other measure to unlock it. These locks can be used in panic rooms, private offices, and other rooms that people want to be able to lock securely.
