Entry refers to the position of a lock relative to the edge of a door, with the backset being the distance between the centerline of a lock and the edge of the door. Lock entry is important for ordering new doors and locks, with most locks made to work with only one entry size. Standard sizes vary by region, with some modern locks having interchangeable entries. Care should be taken when ordering locks to ensure they fit the door.
The term entry is used to describe the position of a lock relative to the edge of a door. This dimension is used for all types of locking devices, including cylinder and mortise locks, as well as deadbolts and handle sets. While some lock locations are fairly standard, they can vary by hardware design, manufacturer, and region.
The backset of a lock represents the distance between the centerline of a lock and the edge of the door. Since most locks are installed through circular holes drilled in the door, the centerline of the hole can be used as a reference point when measuring the entry. This measurement should never be taken from the edge of the lock and should always be taken from the center of the handle or lock.
Lock entry is important information for homeowners looking to order new doors and locks. Door makers need this measurement so they are able to properly drill holes in the door to accommodate the locks. Most locks are made to work with only one entry size. If the size of the lock does not match what is needed for the door, the bolt will either extend too far over the edge of the door or it will not extend far enough. In either of these scenarios, the door will not close properly.
Two standard sizes are used in the United States and Canada. Most commercial doors have a 2-3/4 inch (69.8 mm) backset while residential doors measure 2-3/8 inches (60.3 mm). In the UK and much of Europe, these dimensions can range from 25mm to 60mm and many medallion knobs are positioned in the center of the door, creating a very large entrance. Many aluminum doors are known for their narrow styles, which can be as small as 1 inch (25mm). Because these doors are styled so narrow, they also have a relatively small backset, often measured in millimeters because it is so small.
Some modern locks have an interchangeable entry. These locks have a switch or adjustment of some sort that can shorten or lengthen the bolt to accommodate various sized doors. This modification is usually easy to perform and can be done by hand without the use of any special tools. However, this type of feature is not common, so care should be taken when ordering locks to ensure they fit your door.
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