Reliable door handles?

[Ombra]

I am an old man who is living alone while my wife visits some relatives. Last night, the mechanism of the bedroom door knob broke (or something) and I was locked out. My phone was inside and when I looked in the spare bedroom and bathrooms, I found next to nothing and so I had a less comfortable night than usual. This is the third time in a year that a door knob has broken, and I want to replace certain door knobs with good quality handles so that I don't get trapped in a room. I am just in a small house by the seaside where we spend a few months each year, but I am often alone here because the wife finds it too dull. If someone could recommend a very reliable brand of door handle, I would be very grateful.

[chickenslegs]

Hafele is about the best - available at Homeworks, HomePro and others.

 

 

[Ombra]

Thanks very much, Chickenslegs.  I looked on Google before I asked on TV, and I saw that company name. It is good to have a recommendation, though.

[CGW]

We replaced all our door handles a few years back with "latch" type, rather than the "rim" type round ones usually found here, I agree Hafelle is a good brand, though we used Yale and so far they have held up well.

[Ombra]

Thank you very much, CGW. When our door handles have malfunctioned in the past, my wife has had someone replace them with the 'rim' type that most people use. However, as the mechanism is complicated and as they only cost about 200 baht, I've never had much confidence in them. Now, I'll ask for the 'latch' type from one of the two good quality brands that you mentioned. 

[Hutch68]

5 hours ago, Ombra said:

Thank you very much, CGW. When our door handles have malfunctioned in the past, my wife has had someone replace them with the 'rim' type that most people use. However, as the mechanism is complicated and as they only cost about 200 baht, I've never had much confidence in them. Now, I'll ask for the 'latch' type from one of the two good quality brands that you mentioned. 

Look for Yale, changed mine a few years ago and before you buy feel the weight and look at the keys and compare with the other brands on offer. You get what you pay for.

[Ombra]

I was certainly thinking of comparing brands, Hutch68, but I wouldn't have thought of considering the weight or the keys. As you say, you get what you pay for. The possibility that I might get locked in a room while alone has persuaded the missus to reconsider her fondness for 200 baht handles.  i appreciate the advice.

[lopburi3]

Remove the locking/latch from door (can do with any normal doorknob set) and install door closure and a sliding lock for privacy if needed (doorknob just used to push/pull door open).  I have been using such an arrangement for several years for bedroom and find it works well.

[Ombra]

That is an excellent suggestion, lopburi3. My wife is convinced that burglars are all around and that we must lock up carefully. Having a simple sliding lock, though, will satisfy her concern and mine.

[lopburi3]

Looks like this - auto-closure at top keeps door closed so no issues about I forgot - and latch to keep night visitors out.  Doorknob actually has a bit of glow in dark but any will work - just remove the latch part.

 

Only downside is sometimes forget when opening a normal door that have to turn the knob.

[Ombra]

Thanks again.This is really very helpful.

[Mike45]

I bought Yale for all my doors in the house. Unfortunately I have had failed locks where the tumbler just spun.

Yale in the USA is top quality and has a lifetime Gauranteed. Yale in Thailand is licensed to a Chinese company and has absolutely no warranty at all. Very surprised I was when I found that out. I wouldn't choose them again.

 

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[Ombra]

This is a valuable warning. I made the disappointing discovery years ago that many European and American companies with high reputations don't necessarily sell products of a uniform standard, so nowadays I always check where something comes from. As far as the door handles are concerned, I just don't want to get locked in while no-one is around, so I'll combine all the good advice that I've received in the posts above. Thanks very much.