Complete guide on 12 key Door Knob/lock Parts:Names & Diagram

Overview of Door Knob Parts

A doorknob is a mechanism for opening and closing a door. The typical door knob is made from a bolt or spindle that passes through it and sits essentially over a hollow, circular tube. It is commonly found on various types of doors, including exterior doors of residential and commercial buildings, internal doors, cupboard doors, and vehicle doors. Door handles come in diverse designs tailored to specific purposes—many handles, especially those for commercial and residential doors, feature integrated latching or locking mechanisms. But one question arises: why it is essential to know about the door knob or door lock parts. The answer is that when our door knob or lock is not working correctly, we must show it to the repair person. He might suggest replacing the entire door lock. If anyone knows about every part of a doorknob, he can replace only the damaged part. So it will save lots of money and valuable time.

In this article, we’ll explain the anatomy of a door knob, the different parts, and their names, and provide helpful diagrams. This knowledge can be valuable when encountering doorknob or lock issues.

Door Knob Parts Diagram

Door Knob/Lock Parts, Names, and Diagram

Door Knob Parts Names

Cylinder or Lock Body
Bolts
Strike Plate
Keyway
Rotor
Cotter Pin

Spring
Stator
Trim
Face Plate
Spindle
Door Knob or Handle

Parts of a Door Knob/Lock and Functions

When everything functions smoothly, we rarely stop to think about the components that make up a door knob. But, when issues arise like a door not locking properly, a misbehaving knob, or when you want to upgrade, knowing the door knob parts make work becomes easy.

So, let’s look at all the parts of a door knob together with its location and functions. Understanding how they work and which parts might need fixing will be helpful if you ever need to work with one.

Cylinder or Lock Body

The cylinder, or lock body, is a key part of a door lock where the key goes in. Inside the cylinder, there is a mechanism with small pins and springs that control the lock.

Each pin is pushed down by a spring. When you insert the correct key, its unique shape pushes the pins to the right height. Once the pins are aligned, the cylinder can turn, which moves the bolt and unlocks the door.

Cylinder locks are often used in front doors because they provide a strong and reliable way to lock and unlock.

Bolt or Latch

A bolt or latch is a metal component in a door locking mechanism that extends from the door into the door frame when locked, securing the door in place.

When unlocked, it retracts to allow the door to open. Bolts serve the essential function of either keeping a door closed or allowing access.

There are various types of bolts and latches used in door systems, each designed for different applications and levels of security. Here are a few common types:

Spring Bolt

A spring or latch bolt is a locking mechanism that relies on a spring clip to keep the bolt in position. When the door is unlocked, the spring clip compresses, allowing the bolt to retract and enabling the door to open.

Once the door closes, the spring releases, pushing the bolt back into its original position, which automatically locks the door without needing a key.

This self-locking feature is particularly useful when you’re in a hurry or tend to forget to lock the door manually.

However, a common downside of this mechanism is the risk of accidentally leaving the key inside the house, which can lock you out.

DeadBolt

The deadbolt is one of the secure locking mechanisms because it does not use any spring. This deadbolt door lock gets open or closed by the correct key only.

Barrel Bolt

A barrel bolt is a simple locking mechanism featuring a horizontal metal cylinder, which slides into place when locking or unlocking a door. The user guides the bolt by applying pressure with the thumb.

When the door is locked, the bolt fits into a matching hole in the metal housing, securing the door. Unlocking involves sliding the bolt out of the faceplate, disengaging the lock.

Barrel bolts are commonly used for bathroom doors due to their basic functionality.

However, for external doors, more secure locking systems are recommended, as barrel bolts can easily fail if significant force, such as a kick, is applied to the door.

Hinge Bolt

Hinge bolts on the sides of a door add an extra layer of security by preventing forced entry. These steel bolts extend from the door frame and fit securely into corresponding slots in the door.

When the door is closed, the hinge bolts lock into place, reinforcing the door and making it difficult to pry open—even if the main lock is compromised.

This mechanism is especially effective in wooden doors, providing reliable protection by securing the hinge side, which is often overlooked in standard door security setups.

Hook Bolt

These types of locking mechanisms are commonly found on sliding doors. They use a spring bolt on a pivot with a hook-shaped head.

Strike Plate

Strike plates are metal components mounted on a door, aligned with the latch at the same height. They feature an opening where the bolt fits when the door is locked. Conversely, the bolt retracts when the door is unlocked.

Some strike plates are designed with a lip that helps guide the bolt into the opening, ensuring proper alignment. These parts are also relatively easy to replace if they become damaged, making them a practical choice for door lock systems.

Keyway

The keyway is the slot or opening in a cylinder or lock body where we insert the key and rotate it in the right direction.

Rotor

The cylinder of the door lock houses the rotor. When we insert and rotate the correct key into the keyhole, we turn the rotor to release the bolt.

Cotter Pin

The Cotter pin is the only reason to turn the rotor when we insert the correct key in the keyhole of the door lock. Its material is metal that undergoes pressure applied from the spring.

It is aligned in the grooves and forms the correct pattern to move the bolt.

Stator

The stator is the additional part of the door lock that interacts with the rotor and enables the rotor to turn when the key aligns in the correct grooves.

Trim or Rose

The trim is another part of metal that extends from the door and contains the keyway. Not every type of door lock has it, but the cylindrical lock commonly includes it. It is positioned before the doorknob.

Face Plate

It is a metal plate that someone fixes to the external vertical edge of a door. It has a hole through which the bolt can pass and lock into the corresponding strike plate on the doorframe.

Spindle

The spindle is a part of the door lock that connects the door handle or knob on both sides. A spindle is a square rod that releases a latch inside the door.

It allows the door to open when the doorknob rotates left/right and the handle is pushed downward.

Door Knob or Door Handle

The doorknob, or door handle, is a crucial component of door locking systems. The part you interact with from the outside is called the exterior doorknob or handle, while the one on the inside is known as the interior doorknob or handle.

These knobs or handles can be designed as separate pieces or integrated with a locking mechanism. When you turn the doorknob left or right, it unlocks and opens the door. In contrast, a door handle operates by being pushed down to release the latch.

Beyond their functional role, doorknobs also enhance the visual appeal of a door, contributing to the overall aesthetics of your space.

Conclusion

The knob or handle, the most visible part of the door, serves not only as an aesthetic element but also as the primary means of interaction. Understanding the parts of a door knob enhances our knowledge of design and engineering. It helps us to choose the right door knob for our homes. Its diverse range of shapes, materials, and finishes allows for endless possibilities in completing any interior style.

Suppose you renovate your home, redesign an office, or replace a worn-out knob. This article helps you to choose a suitable door knob to elevate the aesthetics and performance of your doors.

What are the parts of a door knob or door lock?

Cylinder or Lock Body
Bolts
Strike Plate
Keyway
Rotor
Cotter Pin
Spring
Stator
Trim
Face Plate
Spindle
Door Knob or Handle

Complete Guide on 12 Essential Door Knob/Lock Parts: Names & Diagram